New York City Youth: An
Intimate Portrait, Summer Jobs
photographs by Wayfarer, Inc. (Jerry Gordon,
Charles Traub) New York City Partnership, 1987
When the Wayfarer partnership was asked to photograph the young people of the Summer Jobs Program, the idea was simply stated: "Make a sensitive, and creative body of photographs that will move those who can provide summer employment for New York's disadvantaged youth." We decided to photograph a representative sample of Summer Jobs employees in their typical life situations. A candid, contemporary documentary seemed the most real means to express real lives. In the course of two summer months, we rediscovered in "our kids" the rich spirit of teen-age life and a remarkable command of the urban setting. What might be seen by some as a perplexing environment is a test of resourcefulness that results in creative repartee. The resulting photographs reflect our confidence in these young people who are exemplified in this photographic document.