Frequently Asked Questions

 

FAQs for Parents

  • Youth/Parent must be a city of Richmond resident. Proof of residency may be required.
  • Youth must be enrolled in school. Proof of school enrollment is required.
  • Youth must be age 14 by July 1 to be eligible for Counselors In Training.
  • Youth must be age 16 by July 1 to be eligible for Work Experience and not turn 19 before the program ends.

Youth will receive notification by email the second week of April.

The Mayor's Youth Academy has Mandatory Training for Summer Work Experience participants during the month of May. The internships/apprenticeships begin in July and end in August. See program timeline for more detailed information.

  • 14 and 15 year old participants’ program hours will vary according to their individual program. Factors that will impact their weekly schedule may include field trips, enrichment activities, etc.
  • 16 - 19 year old participants are likely to work no more than 40 hours per week. Work hours will vary depending on their internship placement. Please note that the Mayor's Youth Academy interns are not paid for their lunch breaks.
  • Work Experience interns placed at Kings Dominion should anticipate working late hours and potentially working more than 40 hours per week.

A variety of placements are available in a number of industries. The Mayor's Youth Academy makes every effort to place Work Experience interns in employment opportunities that align with their future career interests.

  • Local Businesses and Corporations
  • Area Non-Profits
  • Institutions of Higher Education
  • Faith-Based Organizations
  • Virginia State Agencies
  • City of Richmond Departments

Work Experience Participants:

  • Original, signed social security card
  • State issued Photo ID
  • Report card or verification of school enrollment

Additional documents may be requested for other program tracks.

The Mayor's Youth Academy utilizes GRTC to provide transportation for youth participants to and from their placement sites each day by issuing GRTC Go Cards on a weekly basis. If your child does not ride public transportation, you will be responsible for transporting them each day.

 

FAQs for Youth

City of Richmond youth ages 14-19 who are currently enrolled in school are eligible for MYA Summer programming. Proof of residency may be requested.

  • Counselors In Training: Youth Ages 14-16
  • Summer Work Experience: Youth Ages 16-19
  • Local Businesses and Corporations
  • Area Non-Profits
  • Institutions of Higher Education
  • Faith-Based Organizations
  • Virginia State Agencies
  • City of Richmond Departments

Applications are available each year on March 1st. All applicants must have a copy of their most recent report card, one form of proof of residency, and a photo ID upon request.

  • Youth/Parent must be a city of Richmond resident. Proof of residency may be required.
  • Youth must be enrolled in school. Proof of school enrollment is required.
  • Youth must be age 14 by July 1 to be eligible for Counselors In Training.
  • Youth must be age 16 by July 1 to be eligible for Work Experience and not turn 19 before the program ends.

 

FAQs for Employment Partners

The minimum age is 16.

Summer Work Experience intern placements are six weeks long. Other program components of the Mayor's Youth Academy operate on a year round basis.

Internships begin the first week in July. Internships end the second week of August each year.

Yes. There are several different summer program components to the Mayor's Youth Academy:

  • Counselors In Training 14-16 years of age
  • Summer Work Experience 16-19 years of age

Yes. Additional partnership opportunities are available. There are many ways to participate, including:

  • Sponsor a youth (donation is tax deductable)
  • Provide financial sponsorships for various program components (i.e. transportation, uniforms, etc.)
  • Provide mentors, host seminars, and volunteer
  • Host fundraisers or events
  • Provide sponsorship packages

To explore one of these opportunities, please complete the Partner Registration Form.

  • Provide each participant with a comprehensive knowledge of the organization /company;
  • Permit participants to serve as a team member on a project/and or serve as a lead on a small scale project;
  • Enable participants the opportunity to leave their summer work experience with a mastery of at least one workforce skill.

Yes. You will have the opportunity to interview all participants selected for your organization during our Opportunity Fair.

Participants will be paid through the employer (hired placements) or through the Mayor’s Youth Academy (hosted placements).

**Please note that a limited number of sponsored placements are available each year. Sponsored placements are available to non-profit organizations that are able to host an intern, but are unable to pay youth out of their organization’s budgets. Please call the Mayor’s Youth Academy office to determine if your organization qualifies for a sponsored placement.

You may donate online directly at EnRichmond Foundation 
or address checks to the "EnRichmond Foundation" and mail to:

City of Richmond - Mayor's Youth Academy 
701 North 25th Street, 2nd Floor 
Richmond, VA 23223

No.

The participants will abide by the dress code of your company.

The first point of contact in the event of an emergency is the Mayor's Youth Academy’s Summer Counselor assigned to your company. You will receive this information when your intern is assigned to you.