Youth Services

We provide resources for the next generation of leaders.

Youth Services Department is responsible for creating opportunities for youth development for young people living in the city of Detroit. This is accomplished by combining resources from philanthropic partners, premier workforce development programs, area businesses, and the City of Detroit to create pathways for future success.

Youth Initiatives

The City of Detroit supports Detroit’s youth by combining resources from community partners, businesses, and the City to create opportunity and pathways for success.

Community Education Commission
The Community Education Commission (CEC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit The CEC has invested in innovative initiatives that increase access to afterschool enrichments and transportation, and provide transparent information about Detroit schools.

Connect for Care
Free online tool created in partnership with United Way for Southeastern Michigan to serve one-stop-shop for parents and caregivers of children aged 5 and younger. Parents can use this service to better understand and find early childhood education and care options in Detroit. It will also point them to programs to help with costs.

Detroit Schools Guide
The Detroit Schools Guide's mission is to serve as the city's one-stop-shop for thorough and actionable information about education in Detroit. The guide includes information about all K-12 DPSCD and public charter schools in the city and provides useful resources to help families find schools that meet their specific needs.

Detroit Promise
The Detroit Promise, administered by the Detroit Regional Chamber, ensures that any Detroit-resident student graduating in the spring of this school year from a high school in the city of Detroit will have a tuition-free path to a associate degree, technical certificate, or bachelor's degree at any one of six participating community colleges or 20 four-year institutions

Department of Parks & Recreation
The City of Detroit's Department of Parks & Recreation offers a range of affordable, interactive, youth-focused programming throughout the year. Here's a preview of some of the activities available to youth.

  • D-Rec 2U is a virtual summer camp with a menu of a la carte programming options including one-on-one virtual literacy tutoring, virtual sports skills and drills, and other educational resources
  • Youth Meal Distribution at 7 Recreation Centers
  • Detroit Pistons, William-Davidson park activation partnership
  • Citywide nature programming in parks including classes in citizen science, nature photography, nature painting, birdhouse building, archery and more
  • Mayor's soccer program
  • After school programs
  • Summer fun centers

Grow Detroit's Young Talent
Grow Detroit's Young Talent (GDYT) is a citywide summer jobs program that trains and employs young adults between the ages of 14 and 24 for up to 120 hours. Youth participants must be permanent residents of the City of Detroit and be eligible to work in the United States. There are a broad range of jobs available to the participants. Examples of jobs include: community cleanups, event planning, accounting, retail and the Junior Police or Fire Cadets to name a few. Last year, over 8,000 local youth received employment, which is our goal again this year.