New York City is being hit hard by COVID-19. But young people’s futures aren’t on pause.
Critical funding that young people count on through the city’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) was cut from the budget. Young people can’t put their futures on hold: your donation supports our virtual Youth Impact Summer Employment program.
These young people come from communities already disproportionately affected by COVID-19, and the program provides critical income for them and their families—for school supplies, food, and basic needs over the summer.
You can support the hardest-to-reach youth. These are young people involved in the justice system, at high-risk of violence, or part of the child welfare system, and we engage them to build professional skills and create new narratives for their own lives.
Save Youth JobsListen to the Young People
Youth participated in a street fair with Neighbors in Action in Brooklyn.
SYEP is important to me because it is a great experience. I have been lucky to have great placements and be able to network with caring adults. Not being able to make any money this summer will not only affect me but also my family. My three siblings and I work SYEP or some other part time job each summer to lift the burden from my mom who is constantly in and out of jobs. —Analis
Summer interns from Youth Impact: Brownsville presented their work at a conference in Detroit.
It taught me how to be punctual and efficient and the value of hard work. Having a summer job allowed me independence from my parents who were not able to provide for me and my siblings all the time—I was able to purchase things for myself. It matured me as a young man. —Bryan
Our Reach
Last year we served 150 youth, with plans to reach 250 young people this summer. Youth, ages 14-25, lead projects focused on community engagement and address issues impacting youth of color. Youth will virtually work and collaborate citywide to develop neighborhood safety, economic mobility, and community placemaking projects.
Our Plan
Youth will attend virtual workshops on civic engagement, leadership, and community organizing, and learn from entrepreneurs in music production, graphic design, marketing, and coding. Participants will engage communities through remote means by hosting virtual block parties, art installations, youth-led summits, and audio/visual productions.
Benefits for Youth
- Acquire new employment skills, enter the workforce ahead of the curve
- Learn civic engagement, leadership, and community organizing skills
- Graduate with completed tangible products that improve education and career-readiness
- Receive critical income for families, school supplies, and food while out of school
You can help young people build their future.
Donate Now