Savannah Summer 500 program relaunches to connect students with paid jobs

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah’s Summer 500 program is making a comeback with a new push to connect local students to summer jobs and city workplaces.

The Savannah Summer 500 program is designed to match students with paid summer positions, giving teens real-world experience while helping local employers fill summer staffing gaps.

City leaders call it a critical workforce pipeline aimed at preparing young people for future careers and keeping talent in Savannah.

“Some just need a little polishing, some just need the opportunities, some need a little bit of love, some need a little bit of correction,” Mayor Van Johnson said. “And so in this way, in Savannah Summer 500 2.0, we can do all of those things, and build our own bench.”

Mayor Van Johnson, Alderwoman Carol Bell, the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System and the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to help relaunch the initiative.