One way to help teens stick with high school through graduation, and to make the often difficult transition to adulthood, is to provide them with real-world work experiences that gives meaning to the value of an education. One in three New York City students do not graduate on time, and fewer than half of all African-American and Hispanice students in New York State graduate on time.
After-school programs that focus on preparing teens to work and prosper are important tools for motivating kids who live in potentially difficult circumstances, but who want to beat the odds and cross the high school finishing line. TASC’s career development programs for teens help them imagine a future where they have fulfilling jobs and the financial rewards that go along with college degrees and skills.
Teens who participate in these programs, supported by the New York Times Neediest Cases Fund, work at jobs during summers and after school at social service agencies that run programs for younger kids. But teens do more than just go to work. They get intensive guidance in practical life and job skills.
Lively, interactive workshops involve teens in learning the proficiencies they need to care for younger children and to be responsible job-holders. Trainers go into depth on topics such as professionalism and how teens can set boundaries for younger kids, encourage discussions and remain positive in challenging situations. Young adults learn not only how to work with younger students, but also how to interact positively with the older adults who supervise them at their jobs. They get a tantalizing look at their future options by shadowing professionals at work.
TASC NY Times Summer Jobs Program Description:
The TASC New York Times Summer Jobs Program program was established to offer employment, training and support to hundreds of New York City youth in search of work. TASC administers the program, which puts teens to work directly with kids in camps and other activities operated by the seven community agencies supported by the New York Times Neediest Cases Fund.
TASC provides 20 hours of training workshops to all the high-school aged participants. In addition to learning about how to work with younger kids, teens practice how to deal positively with employers and others, even in challenging situations. They learn to create effective resumes and to manage the money they earn. Just before they start a new school year, they spend a day at a College and Career Fair. Kids wander the "college gallery," where they meet representatives of institutions of higher education. They attend information sessions on college applications and financial aid, and hear from visiting professionals what it’s like to work in numerous fields.
City Connection Program Description:
City Connection is a training and employment program for teens who have been through the Summer Jobs Program, who want to complete high school, and who could benefit from being mentored while they become mentors to younger kids. Many of these young adults face multiple challenges to staying on track to graduation. Many are over-age for their grades and short of credits. Others are new immigrants, live in foster care or have histories of truancy or court involvement.
City Connection motivates these teens by building on their summer work experiences with school-year jobs in after-school programs. Teens work with mentors who closely track their progress and help them commit to finishing school, and meet regularly during the school year for training workshops and to share experiences.
City Connection is supported by The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund.
