Mayor Allen Joines announced on May 28 the launch of the 2026 Inaugural Summer Youth Program, set to begin June 8 with a three-day workplace training session for youth ages 16 to 18. The program aims to provide job placement opportunities and summer enrichment for young residents of Winston-Salem.
The initiative includes workplace training sessions from June 8 through June 10, running daily from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., where participants will receive morning snacks and lunch. Locations for these sessions will be confirmed directly with selected participants. Applications are being accepted until Friday, June 5 at 5 p.m., and can be submitted via email to mayorsoffice@cityofws.org.
Youths aged 11 to 15 are encouraged to register for summer camps offered by the City of Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks Department, Salvation Army Youth Camp, or other community-based programs. Financial assistance is available for eligible campers in this age group. The program also offers workshops focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics), financial literacy, career exploration, conflict resolution skills, mental health awareness, and overall well-being. Participants will have access to consistent mentoring throughout the program.
The Mayor’s Summer Work-Camp Program requires that all participants reside within the City of Winston-Salem and actively participate in all programming activities including meetings and training sessions. Employment placements during June and July may include roles such as community events support, general maintenance work, arts support positions, retail or restaurant operations assistance, or clerical office duties.
Additional dates—including an extra training day and a North Carolina road trip—will be determined later in the season. An end-of-summer celebration is planned but details are yet to be finalized; participants may also attend the International Black Theater Festival scheduled from July 27 through August 1.
The City of Winston-Salem serves as a municipal government overseeing local public services such as economic development initiatives supporting businesses and jobs; it operates under a city council system with eight ward representatives plus an elected mayor responsible for enacting local laws and managing civic functions within its North Carolina boundaries, according to the official website.
