Escambia County Youth Employment Program Opens New Doors for Local Youth

Escambia County recently completed another cycle of the Summer Youth Employment Program, helping over 200 local youth gain valuable on-the-job experience while working toward their future career goals.

Through the paid internship program, participating youth worked up to 30 hours per week in various county departments, learning a variety of practical job skills along with workplace etiquette such as professional dress, timeliness and respect.

"I can't think of any better program that we provide here in the county," District 3 Commissioner Lumon May said. "The Summer Youth Employment Program gives young people the chance to gain valuable work experience and develop relationships, while making a positive impact in our community."

Click here to watch a video highlighting the 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program, which was filmed, edited and produced by interns Natalia East, Jaydah Lett, and Joshua Pressley.

Click here for a photo album from the Summer Youth Employment Program graduation ceremony.

In addition to learning new skills through their day-to-day work duties, program participants received job readiness training and post-employment briefings, which provided them feedback about their job performance.

Youth worked in a variety of county departments this summer, including Animal Welfare, the Board of County Commissioners, Development Services, Engineering, Escambia County Area Transit, Human Resources, Natural Resources Management, Neighborhood and Human Services, Parks and Recreation, Public Safety, Public Works, West Florida Public Libraries, and many more.

Several interns also spent the summer working for community partners and constitutional offices, including CareerSource Escarosa, Community Health Northwest Florida, Escambia County Property Appraiser, Escambia County Tax Collector, Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce, Opening Doors Northwest Florida, and more.

Domenica Whitmire, a summer intern with Escambia County Building Services, said she gained a lot of insight about building safety codes and feels more ready than ever for her future career. In addition to learning technical skills, Whitmire also said this internship introduced her to professionalism in the workplace that will benefit her long term.

"This is a very big step, and it has taught me teamwork, communication and a lot about adult life," Whitmire said. "I want to be a businesswoman, and this internship has definitely helped me gain the professional skills I need."

Caysen Hopkins, who worked in the Escambia County Public Safety Department, said the program has played an important role in preparing her for a future career in healthcare. As an upcoming senior at the University of West Florida, studying biology, Hopkins says she is grateful for the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with patient care.

"I want to work in health care, so being on the sidelines talking to patients and insurance companies while also learning how to code has made me more comfortable for my future," Hopkins said.

Jaydah Lett, who is also an upcoming senior at University of West Florida majoring in communications, said this internship has provided her with real-world experience in the field she plans on pursuing after graduation. As one of three interns in the Escambia County Community and Media Relations Department, Lett has gotten a behind-the-scenes look at how local government communicates by writing press releases, conducting interviews, and shadowing during county events and meetings

"I am interning in the exact career I want to be in, so I am so thankful for this program," Lett said, "I'm writing press releases and taking photos at community events. I love every moment of it, and it confirms that communications is exactly what I want to do after graduation."

Escambia County's 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program participants were recognized by District 3 Commissioner Lumon May and Neighborhood and Human Services staff for their hard work this summer during a ceremony Friday, July 24 at the Brownsville Community Center.

"This is a community investment," Commissioner May said. "The most rewarding part of the program is that it opens the door of opportunity to our youth that they wouldn't otherwise have. The end goal is to develop better citizens, better people, better opportunity. It gives young people hope."

Information about future cycles of the Escambia County Youth Employment Program will be posted at MyEscambia.com/syep and on the Escambia County Facebook page.

Summer Youth Employment Program interns during their graduation ceremony on Friday, July 24 at the Brownsville Community Center

District 3 Commissioner Lumon May speaks to Summer Youth Employment Program interns during their graduation ceremony on Friday, July 24 at the Brownsville Community Center

District 3 Commissioner Lumon May speaks to Summer Youth Employment Program interns during their graduation ceremony on Friday, July 24 at the Brownsville Community Center

Summer Youth Employment Program Intern Rileigh Smith, West Florida Public Libraries

Summer Youth Employment Program Intern Jae Jemmott, West Florida Public Libraries

Summer Youth Employment Program Intern Jae Jemmott, Escambia County Animal Welfare

Summer Youth Employment Program Intern Domenica Whitmire, Escambia County Building Services

Summer Youth Employment Program Interns Talia East, Joshua Pressley, and Jaydah Lett, Escambia County Community and Media Relations

Summer Youth Employment Program Interns Keiri Stallworth and Caysen Hopkins, Escambia County Public Safety

Summer Youth Employment Program Intern Ramari Fields, Escambia County Mosquito Control

Summer Youth Employment Program Intern Jenna Perdue, West Florida Public Libraries

Summer Youth Employment Program Intern Javonte Geralds, Escambia County Public Safety