Pro teams boost youth jobs program

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced Wednesday a new partnership with Wisconsin’s premier sports teams — the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Bucks, Brewers and Admirals — to promote the city’s Earn & Learn summer youth employment program.

“This is a program that is near and dear to my heart,” Barrett told the crowd gathered at the Journey House Packers Football Stadium at Mitchell Park. “I think we as adults have a moral obligation to create hope and opportunity in the lives of the young people in the city of Milwaukee.”

The group has been dubbed the Earn & Learn All-Star Team.

Barrett said each team has made a significant contribution to Earn & Learn, and is donating items and hosting events for program participants. For example, the Packers will be hosting some teen participants at a preseason game.

Mark Murphy, president and CEO of the Packers, told the crowd about his first job selling soda in Texas at the stadium that was home of the then-Houston Oilers.

The event was held at the Mitchell Park field donated by the Packers five years ago.

“It’s really great to see the kind of use that it’s getting, and really make a difference in some of the lives of the kids here,” Murphy said to applause.

They were joined at Wednesday’s event by Bucks President Peter Feigin and Rick Schlesinger of the Brewers, as well as Earn & Learn participants and children from Journey House.