The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) began in 1996 with Chapel Hill Police Captain Jeff Clark supervising four youth employees. The youth would work in Chapel Hill public housing neighborhoods picking up trash every day for four hours. The program has evolved to provide opportunities for youth to work in Town of Chapel Hill Departments, Orange County Departments, and various nonprofit agencies that receive funding from the Town of Chapel Hill.

Youth that are selected to participate in the program are offered temporary Town employment from June to August, working up to 20 hours a week for six to eight weeks. The youth also attend career preparation workshops where they learn interviewing skills, resume writing, work behaviors and expectations.