Mayor Bowser Opens Applications for the 2026 Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program

(Washington, DC) - Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Department of Employment Services (DOES) officially launched the application period for the 2026 Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP). District youth between the ages of 14 and 24 and employers interested in hosting participants are encouraged to apply online at summerjobs.dc.gov. Applications are open as of noon today.

"It may be cold and snowy out today, but we're still asking our young people to think ahead to summer," said Mayor Bowser. "For decades, Washingtonians have been getting their first job through the Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program. Starting today, we're excited to make this year's program a success. Spread the word: use today's snow day to submit your MBSYEP application."

For 47 years, the Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program has been providing a fair shot to young people in DC. Each year, the program gives thousands of District youth the opportunity to earn income while they learn, grow, and explore potential career paths. The program partners with hundreds of employers in the private and public sectors to provide relevant training and guidance to DC's youth, helping them develop the positive work habits and skills necessary to secure future employment.

Last year, nearly 13,000 youth participated in the program at 730 employers, earning almost $14.3 million for their work. Approximately 54% of 2025 participants were residents of Wards 7 and 8.

The deadline to apply for the 2026 MBSYEP is Friday, March 6 at 11:59 p.m. Selected youth will undergo six weeks of enriching and constructive summer work experience through subsidized placements in the private and public sectors.

Important 2026 MBSYEP dates:

• Application Opens: January 26 at noon
• Deadline to Apply: Friday, March 6 at 11:59 pm
• Certification Period Ends: Saturday, March 28
• Orientation Begins: Saturday, April 4
• Program Begins: Monday, June 29
• Program Ends: Friday, August 7

"Mayor Bowser's steadfast commitment and support has been remarkable and transformative for the program," said Department of Employment Services Director Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes. "MBSYEP gives youth the tools and supports they need to become the District's future leaders in all aspects of life and Mayor Bowser has truly expanded Mayor Barry's vision for the program."

Today is also the application launch of the Career Ready Early Scholars Program (CRESP), which is in its fourth year of offering District youth ages 9 to 13 opportunities to explore college and career pathways and develop essential skills. Mayor Bowser created CRESP in 2023 to help upper-elementary and middle school students get an even earlier head start planning for the future.

For more information about MBSYEP and CRESP, or to apply as a participant or host employer, visit summerjobs.dc.gov.

Since taking office, Mayor Bowser has invested heavily in MBSYEP and other career and college readiness programs. In 2015, the Mayor expanded the program to include District residents ages 22 to 24, giving more young residents the opportunity to gain income and critical work experience. And that same year she signed Mayor's Order 2015-037, renaming the program after its founder: Mayor Marion S. Barry.

Under Mayor Bowser, over 126,000 youth have participated in MBSYEP since 2015, earning more than $130 million dollars in pay at over 3,700 unique host sites throughout the District. And in 2017, the Mayor established the Mayor's Opportunity Scholarship, which has awarded over $2.4 million dollars in scholarships to over 700 participants who have gone on to attend 164 colleges and universities throughout the United States.

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