Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Tuesday that Walt Disney Co. and other companies have pledged to hire 10,000 local youths for a summer jobs program, double the number hired last summer.
Disney pledged $1 million to the effort, which is aimed at providing young people from 14 to 24 who live in the city the opportunity to take home a paycheck and learn workplace skills.
Garcetti appeared with Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger and White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett at a press conference at a non-profit center in South Los Angeles to announce the hiring commitments.
“Too often, young people can fall behind during the summer when school is out,” Garcetti said. “But our summer jobs program makes sure summer is a time for young people to get ahead by earning a paycheck, job skills, and financial education.”
Of Disney’s $1 million commitment to hire young people this summer, Garcetti said, “I am pleased…that Disney’s Chairman and CEO Bob Iger is personally involved. I can’t think of a better partner for our youth than Disney.”
At the press conference, Iger said, “Disney is proud to play a leading role in this effort…to create opportunities for thousands of young people to gain skills and experience and participate in a wide variety of activities that will help them build bright futures.”
Also participating in the program is New York’s Citigroup, through its Citibank and Citi Foundation.
