Author: Antionette Lee

This Year’s Program Generated $8.6 million in Stipends and Wages, Reinvested Directly into Philadelphia’s Local Economy   

Philadelphia, PA — October 16, 2025 — JEVS Human Services (JEVS) hosted the Career Connected Learning (C2L-PHL) Provider Convening for Summer 2025 today at the Salvation Army Kroc Center to honor the community-based organizations and partners who made this summer’s success possible. 

This year, C2L-PHL connected more than 7,000 Philadelphia youth to paid summer learning and work experiences, distributing over $8.6 million in stipends and wages that were reinvested directly into the city’s economy. C2L-PHL is Philadelphia’s version of Career Connected Learning. It helps youth develop the knowledge, skills, and mindset they need to enter the workforce, advance in their careers, and community life.  The program is a citywide collaboration funded in part by the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Works, and the School District of Philadelphia, with JEVS serving as the intermediary. 

“For the second summer in a row, JEVS, C2L-PHL providers, and supporters have shown what’s possible when we invest in our young people,” said Cynthia Figueroa, President & CEO of JEVS Human Services. “This program is about more than just summer jobs — it’s about building pathways to opportunity, giving youth the confidence and connections they need to succeed in life. We’re grateful to every provider, partner, funder, business, and family member who shared in this success and made this life-changing work possible.” 

Waleska Maldonado, Chief Program Officer at JEVS Human Services, added, “The success of C2L-PHL is a direct reflection of the dedication of our providers, system partners, and funders. Their commitment ensures that thousands of young people gain hands-on experience, professional mentorship, and exposure to future careers that can shape the trajectory of their lives. JEVS is grateful for the entire network that supports in uplifting the young people in our city.” 

“The City of Philadelphia invests in C2L-PHL because we firmly believe in every young person’s promise to become our city’s next generation of trailblazing leaders,” said Vanessa Garrett Harley, Chief Deputy Mayor for Social Impact and Strategic Initiatives. “C2L-PHL shows that when we align our systems and center young people in our decision-making, we create lasting change that benefits families and communities across Philadelphia.” 

During the event, more than 100 attendees reflected on program highlights, shared best practices, and celebrated the collective impact of more than 50 community-based organizations who provided job placements, training, and mentorship throughout the summer. 

“Congratulations to JEVS for successfully expanding the Career Connected Learning program in 2025 to directly address issues that are fundamentally connected to economic mobility. In the past year alone, the program provided 7,000 young people across our region with access to workforce development, skills-building, networking opportunities, and personal financial management,” said Jim Dever, President, Bank of America of Greater Philadelphia. “Bank of America shares JEVS’s focus to empower Philadelphia’s young people because everyone in our community deserves opportunities to succeed.” 

“Introducing young people to the world of work is one of the most important investments in Philadelphia’s future,” said H. Patrick Clancy, president and CEO of Philadelphia Works. “We’ve seen firsthand how early work experiences build confidence and skills, and our commitment is to ensure every young person in Philadelphia has access to opportunities that lead to stable, rewarding careers with real potential for growth.”