Teens often come into McPherson Square Library during the summer months looking for jobs, which inspired the library staff to host their first Teen Job Fair in 2021. Three years later, this has become an annual event.

Teens and caregivers are looking for something for youth to do to keep them out of trouble, gain valuable life experience, and make money. However, it's not always easy to find such positions. Often, even when a teen finds a position there is a lot of paperwork and a time crunch that makes following through even more difficult. Hiring youth is not an easy task as it involves having proper identification and documentation that can often be overwhelming, especially for someone’s first time navigating these systems. Summer is fast approaching, and now is the time to start thinking about and planning for the upcoming months.

The McPherson Square Teen Job Fair is where youth and families can meet with local employers actively recruiting and gain access to all the resources they need to pursue a job or career. These resources include getting a City ID, youth working papers, union job training programs, GED programs, Social Security card paperwork, lifeguard training, and more. If you are interested in getting a City ID or filling out working papers, make sure to bring proof of identity (such as a school ID, passport, or driver's license) as well as proof of residency (such as a utility bill, lease, letter from social service, or caregiver’s proof of residency is also acceptable).

Our goal is to help teens in our neighborhood locate the proper resources to align them with their peers and prepare them to start their journey into employment. The McPherson Square Third Annual Teen Job Fair will take place this year on Tuesday, April 30 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Food and games for younger children will be provided, as well as support from PB&J, Impact, Fab Youth Philly, NKCDC, Prevention Point, and more.

We can’t wait to see you there and help get our teens started on a fun and educational summer!