MORENO VALLEY>> Western City Magazine featured the City of Moreno Valley's Summer at City Hall internship program in its August issue, detailing the program that provides high school students with the opportunity to intern at the City while learning valuable workplace and life skills.
Summer at City Hall was brought to Moreno Valley in 2016 by Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez. The City partners with Val Verde Unified School District to provide students with classroom instruction as well as internships with City staff.
“An investment in our young people is an investment in the future of our city,” says Gutierrez. “Summer at City Hall provides high school students a unique opportunity to experience the inner workings of their city while learning valuable workplace and life skills.”
Gutierrez understood that to successfully develop a Summer at City Hall program, it was necessary to involve the local school district in the planning and implementation process. After securing the support of the school superintendent of Val Verde Unified School District (VVUSD) and the city manager, the mayor officially began the implementation process.
Moreno Valley officially launched its first program in June 2016; the city adapted specific components to best meet the needs of its community. The program included classroom and internship components, but started with a smaller number of students.
High School senior Erika Ruiz credited the Summer at City Hall program with helping choose her college path.
"The Summer at City Hall experience helped me understand the different city divisions, their roles and the significant impact they have on the community," Ruiz told Western City magazine. "I really enjoyed my time with the Economic Development Department. After interning there, I am interested in studying urban development at UC Berkeley next fall."