Camp RISE is a transformative summer program for youth ages 10-13 designed to confront the city’s youth disconnection crisis through an innovative, trauma-informed, and outcomes-driven approach to summer employment. Launched by the Mayor, workforce development board, and city Public Schools, Camp RISE blends paid career exploration with community enrichment, mental health supports, and workforce readiness in a structured, culturally relevant, camp-style setting. 

Inspired by the Mayor’s own journey, many campers, who experienced challenges such as high housing instability, food insecurity and violence, are introduced to diverse industries, learn practical skills, and build confidence while benefiting from mentorship and peer connection. Camp RISE reflects his belief that early career exposure and mentorship can change life trajectories and support economic stability.

Camp RISE provides a replicable and scalable model for jurisdictions facing similar youth disengagement and workforce challenges. Its success lies in its integration of service delivery—where employment, learning, and well-being are aligned within a single, community-based intervention. This approach enables local governments to leverage public funding streams, increase program impact, and reduce duplication of services.

Impact or how it will be measured:

Qualitative surveys of campers and parents/guardians from the 2024 program show measurable impacts:

  • 70% of campers feel more confident choosing a career path after attending camp.

  • Nearly 70% of campers report learning new skills and knowledge and building connections with others.

  • The industries that campers reported the most increase in knowledge are: financial services, healthcare, government, and public health.

  • 97% of parents/guardians would enroll their camper again next summer.

  • 88% of parents/guardians noticed positive changes in their camper’s social skills.

  • 84% of parents/guardians reported an increase in their camper’s confidence and self-esteem.

This early investment ensures that by the time participants age into eligibility for other  youth workforce development programming, they are already engaged, experienced, and goal-oriented—reducing dropout rates and increasing long-term workforce success.  These indicators demonstrate increases in youth development and readiness for long-term workforce integration—delivering the potential for fiscal savings through decreased reliance on public assistance, improved educational outcomes, and reduced juvenile justice involvement.