It was announced Tuesday that New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program would be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The SYEP has served as financial assistance and given work experience to young people every summer since 1963.

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Councilmembers Andy King and Deborah Rose say they are looking for a way to keep young adults engaged and safe this summer, while still offering some form of financial assistance.

The councilmembers proposed a youth package that will give aid to those who applied to SYEP. They are proposing a one-time payment, equal to one-fourth of what they would have earned from working in the summer program.

They also want the young adults to still learn the importance of earning a check. They say participants should have to write an essay or complete a project to earn the money.

King and Rose say a financial relief package would be a way to assist young people and their families to be economically viable during the summer months.