BALTIMORE - More than 200 community and businesses leaders, families and area educators will participate in the 2nd Annual Race for Work to support Baltimore City’s YouthWorks Summer Jobs Program, which will help area youth gain valuable work experience. The Race for Work is a 3-mile race and a 1-mile walk or fun run through Druid Hill Park which is scheduled for Sunday, May 21, 2006 from 7:00 a.m. until noon – rain or shine.

For every $1,200 raised, a student will have a six-week summer job at a city or state agency, local nonprofit or community-based organization.
Schools and families are encouraged to participate in this family, fun-filled event by signing up as teams. There will be prizes awarded for the top school and top family teams as well as for top individual finishers who participate in the Race for Work through beautiful, scenic Druid Hill Park.
“ We continue to form great partnerships that will give Baltimore City youth a running start to enhance their employment and academic goals,” said Alice Cole, career development services project director.

The Race for Work is sponsored by Comcast, The Johns Hopkins Health System and Whiting-Turner. Other participating sponsors include, Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Baltimore City Police Department, Arundel Mills Giant and Radio One.

YouthWorks is an opportunity for young people to learn about careers in the six targeted high-growth industries, identified by the Baltimore Workforce Investment Board:
health care, bioscience, business services, computer-internet-software services, construction, and hospitality/tourism.

“Investing in our youth is not only essential to their overall development, it is also imperative to the economic growth of the city of Baltimore, said James Hamlin, chair of the Royal Theater and Community Heritage Corporation and chair of the 2006 YouthWorks Summer Jobs Program. “Our organization is committed to providing the best employment opportunities for our city’s youth.”

Registration fees are as follows:
Pre-Registration Race Day Registration
3-Mile Race $20.00 $25.00
1-Mile Walk or Fun Run $10.00 $15.00
School Team (4 members) $75.00 $80.00
Family Team (3 members) $50.00 $55.00

There is a $10.00 fee for each additional team or family member over the required number. On site registration is available the day of the event from 7:00 -7:45 a.m. On-line registration is available at www.charmcityrun.com or www.active.com.

For more information on the 2nd Annual Race for Work, call 410-308-1870 or log onto www.oedworks.com.