Building on the success of a program that has helped more than 1,400 young San Diegans launch their careers, Mayor Todd Gloria signed a resolution this morning that effectively extends the fully state-funded Employ & Empower internship program for another year. This follows the City Council’s vote to officially accept state grant funds through Youth Service Corps for the fifth year in a row. 

“Thanks to this state-funded program, we are able to provide young people in the City of San Diego with opportunities to explore a career in public service while compensating them for their work –with no impact on the City budget,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “We want to show young San Diegans that there are opportunities open to them to earn a paycheck while gaining skills they can ultimately use in their careers.” 

Employ & Empower will continue to be funded by Youth Services Corps, a statewide program within the Office of the Governor’s California Volunteers and will have no impact on the current or projected City budget for next year.   

Since the inception of the program in July 2022, 15% of all participants have gone on to accept permanent jobs at the City. Among them, 79% have come from a  San Diego Community of Concern, within a census tract with low access to opportunities.  

“Employ & Empower shows what’s possible when we invest in young people and give them a real chance to succeed,“ said Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera. “This program is about more than internships — it’s about opening doors, building confidence, and creating pathways to meaningful careers, including public service. In our District 9 Office, we’ve seen firsthand how transformative that opportunity can be, with several former interns now serving full time in public service. That success is exactly why we should keep expanding opportunities for young people in San Diego, and I’m proud to support this investment in the next generation of leaders.” 

The program focuses on disadvantaged youth, veterans, military dependents, as well as individuals who have been justice-involved, or experienced mental health or substance use that make it more difficult to take advantage of academic or employment opportunities.  

Every year, the City conducts targeted outreach toward San Diego youth to boost interest in internships. The City also leans on successful existing partnerships dedicated to creating opportunities for youth in the areas of workforce development, wrap-around services addressing housing and food insecurities, and other programs designed to eliminate barriers for youth to succeed. 

Employ & Empower gives underserved San Diegans between 16 and 30 years old access to paid, real-world professional experience across City departments and City Council Offices, including San Diego Fire-Rescue, San Diego Police, Parks and Recreation, Library, Engineering & Capital Projects, Transportation and many more. In doing so, Employ & Empower develops the talented workforce the City needs to foster economic opportunity.  

Interns must be enrolled in an educational program or be recent graduates (within six months from degree conferment) to participate in Employ & Empower.