• Total jobs provided through GDYT 87,734 since 2015 launch
• 226 Youth will be working in a wide range of roles across 14 City of Detroit departments
   

Mayor Mike Duggan was joined by City Council members, employers, funding partners and over 100 Detroit youth to officially launch the 11th summer employment window for Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT), the City of Detroit’s summer jobs program for Detroiters ages 14-24.

2025 is the 10th straight year that the program has offered opportunities for over 8,000 youth, building from 5,594 in 2015 when Mayor Duggan launched GDYT as a citywide program to give Detroit youth a single, aggregated point of access for summer jobs.

“Detroit always has had an abundance of talented young people. Before GDYT, what they had lacked was the opportunity to use those talents," said Mayor Duggan. "Thanks to GDYT's great staff, sponsors and employers, tens of thousands of young Detroiters have had meaningful summer work experiences that have been a gateway, not just to a job, but in many cases to a career."

Since launch in 2015, the GDYT program has now provided over 87,000 summer employment opportunities for Detroit youth, many of whom are now firmly established on career paths or in post-secondary education.

“I already knew I wanted to work in tech when I started high school,” said Matthew Jackson, a multi-year GDYT participant who first took part in the program the year Mayor Duggan launched it in 2015. “In the ‘Journi’ program through GDYT, I was able to get additional experience in tech that I might never have had otherwise.”

Jackson first participated in GDYT as a high school freshman and went on to Morehouse College to study computer science, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 2024, during which time he interned as a McKinsey consultant, Stanford data science researcher, and Accenture analyst. He is now studying for a postgraduate degree in data science at the University of Michigan.

Members of Detroit City Council, which has been a strong supporter of the program since launch were also in attendance to show their support for GDYT. Hundreds of youth will work in City Council Member offices and across 14 City departments in 2025.

“As we kick off this year’s Grow Detroit’s Young Talent program, we recognize that this is more than a summer job initiative, but a strategic investment in the future of Detroit’s youth,” said Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield. “Through meaningful work experiences, GDYT equips our young scholars with essential skills and opportunities that pave the way for long-term success.

“Our office is proud to continue hosting GDYT interns, offering firsthand exposure to public service and civic engagement while helping them grow their professional networks. Heading into its 11th year, we are excited to see even more young people take advantage of this life-changing program.”

Joining President Sheffield to show support for GDYT was City Council Member for District 7, Fred Durhal.

“Grow Detroit’s Young Talent is a shining example of what it means to invest in the next generation,” said Councilmember Durhal. “This summer employment program offers young people valuable real-world experience that will empower them and open doors for future success.”

Today’s launch event took place at Northwest Activities Center (NWAC) and was attended by over 100 Junior Police Cadets who will be based at NWAC this summer, working with Detroiters young and old at locations around the city.

“It is extremely important to expose our young people to the possibilities they can have in a career as law enforcement,” said Detroit Police Chief, Todd Bettison. “Ensuring public safety is a priority in every community and our future leaders of tomorrow play a vital role in protecting our neighborhoods and communities.”

GDYT has successfully raised over $12 million to support the program in 2025, much of which comes from a range of funding partners and employers that have participated in the program for many years.

“For thousands of young Detroiters, this week will be their first experience working for an employer” said GDYT Program Operations Director, Misty Evans. “For many thousands of others, it will be another step on the path towards a full-time career.

“That path may lead to a corporate position, becoming an entrepreneur, a skilled-trades journeyman, or post-secondary or graduate degrees but whatever path they choose, GDYT is a movement that will provide them with knowledge and experience so that they can make career choices that work for them.”

Youth will work an average of 20 hours a week over the next six weeks at more than 450 work sites. The 2025 program will end mid-August.

About GDYT
Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT) is a citywide training and employment program for young adults between the ages of 14 and 24. The program seeks to provide over 8,000 youth summer employment opportunities in partnership with Metro Detroit corporations, non-profit organizations, municipal departments, local businesses and the philanthropic community. The strategic goals of GDYT are:

• Ensure young adults have meaningful summer work experiences that create pathways to future opportunities
• Connect young adults to providers and employers that can support their career goals
• Introduce employers to the next generation of Detroit’s workforce
• Align Detroit’s youth workforce development programs to streamline service delivery and improve outcomes

Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation is the lead agency for GDYT. Connect Detroit is DESC’s contracted program implementation leader working with key community-based organizations, municipal departments and Junior Police Cadet Program.