SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - With summer approaching, and school almost out, students will be looking for summer jobs. An event in Springfield Friday night helped to prepare those looking for work. The Boys and Girls Club Family Center in Springfield hosted a 'Youth Employment Fair' with MassHire. The organization, 'Teen Summit Team' hosted businesses and organizations that hired youth on the spot. Summit Organizers, such as Nicole Coakley, told 22News how important it is for teens to get a job when they are not in the classroom, "This is very important, especially with the uptick in gun violence going on within the community and really trying to the youth off the streets and I know it doesn't start with the youth, but at least we know we can start somewhere." Fewer jobs were filled last month across the country. It's a sign that high-interest rates may be starting to take a bigger toll on the world’s economy. Local News Springfield Rescue Mission celebrates graduating men Springfield Youth Employment Fair preps summer job seekers ADL files complaint against UMass for Jewish student safety Local non-profit raises money for postpartum families with fitness fundraiser in Easthampton 22News began broadcasting in March 1953 providing local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Follow WWLP-22News on X @WWLP22News and Facebook.