L.A.’s summer internship youth program received a big boost today with the announcement of a $25 million grant of federal stimulus dollars to hire 10,000 teenagers and young adults for summer internships.

The Hire L.A.’s Youth Program, which began in 2006, places 14- to 24-year-olds in six-week summer internships with local employers. In past summers, about 46,000 youths have obtained internships. Kaiser Permanente and AT&T have been among the largest participating employers in past years.

“We are providing employment opportunities and skills training for over 10,000 youths this summer,” said L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “That’s 10,000 young people who will be given a summer job and an opportunity toward a lifetime of employment.”

About 6,000 teenagers and young adults are registered to participate for this summer’s internships, which begin this month. Officials said they are encouraging local youths who are receiving food stamps, participating in CalWorks and live within L.A. city limits to apply for 4,000 remaining slots in the program. Anyone interested can call the city’s 311 hotline for more information.

Employers who want to participate can visit the program’s website at www.hirelayouth.com or call (213) 744-7206.

The stimulus dollars were made available through the federal Department of Health and Human Services and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services.