A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING THE 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUMMERWORKS PROGRAM : WASHTENAW COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

AUGUST 6, 2025

WHEREAS, the Washtenaw County SummerWorks Program was launched in 2016 through an initial partnership between the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan Works! Southeast, and the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED), and has since grown to include the University of Michigan, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, the Washtenaw Intermediate School District, Washtenaw Alliance for Children & Youth, and the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, SummerWorks matches young adults (ages 16–24) living attending school in Washtenaw County with 10-week paid internships and mentorship opportunities through local employers and organizations; and

WHEREAS, over the past decade, SummerWorks has placed more than 600 youth in internships, with 143 participants engaged in 2024 alone through placements with 59 employers, earning wages from $15–17/hour; and

WHEREAS, the core mission of SummerWorks is to “build relationships between youth, local employers, and the broader Washtenaw County community, in order to promote equity through youth empowerment, professional growth, and workforce development”; and

WHEREAS, the program’s vision includes ensuring that all young adults, regardless of background or economic situation, have access to career-building opportunities, supportive mentorship, and professional networks in Washtenaw County; and

WHEREAS, SummerWorks offers structured professional development, such as resume and cover letter training, career exploration modules, and mentorship matching; preparing youth to begin their careers with confidence; and

WHEREAS, SummerWorks has emerged as a community pillar, fostering diverse partnerships and supporting workforce equity in Washtenaw County over its 10 years of operation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners hereby recognizes and celebrates the 10th Anniversary of SummerWorks and commends the County, University, employer, mentor, and community partners whose collective engagement over the past decade has enabled this transformational youth employment program.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board thanks the program staff and youth participants who have shaped SummerWorks with their energy, ambition, and commitment to community.

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