We successfully closed out the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) for 2016! We enrolled an additional 100 youths this summer bringing our enrollment allocation to 650 participants.
To better serve our new allocation we expanded our worksite partnerships to include, among others, the Residence Inn by Marriott, Lehman College, and the Wildlife Conservation at the Bronx Zoo.
As we wrap up the summer, we begin to brainstorm and look forward to the Work, Learn &Grow Employment Program starting this fall. The Department of Youth & Community Development has not announced the release dates for worksite and participant applications. We are hoping to hear from them within the next couple of weeks. The applications will be posted on our website once we get the link.
Thanks to all of the staff’s hard work, we concluded the summer with an impeccable audit grading and many success stories, including the ones below.
I am Thaina and I am 20 years old. I live in the Bronx. I have a learning disability. I found out when I was in a school called PS 84. I was surprised and shocked, but I was still happy. Most people thought I didn’t a have a brain and more. After they put me in special ed class I got the help I needed. I made new friends and over the year I learned many skills I use today.
Today I go to a program called Cooke Center to learn skills for disability. The program is up to 21 years old. After they help you get a job, college, program, etc.
On July 5, 2016 Summer Youth Employment Program began and I started work at the YM&YWHA Main Office. While I was working for six weeks, I learned how to fax, make labels, copy, and more. One thing that was hard for me was answering the phone because I didn’t want to sound crazy to people on the phone. I got better and better each time. I found out what YM&YWHA means (Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Association). Also I learned their history and it was very interesting and amazing to hear. The Y has been here for 100 years and helped the community. The Y is a wonderful place to go and do actives, learn, and more to come.
– Thaina M. R.
- Gabriella R., who was working at the Negro Ensemble Company, was offered an assistant stage manager position for the play “Hercules Don’t Wade in the Water.”
- Jaile C. was hired as a medical assistant at Personal Touch Medical.
- A 20 year old participant who is autistic has struggled finding a job due to his disability. He was enrolled in the program and was placed at Marshalls where he worked as a Sales Associate. He managed to learn some new skills, which he hopes will increase his chances of finding a job in the future.
By Karina Munoz, SYEP Director
