Innovation

Innovation

We begin by working in partnership with youth. We examine metrics to determine emerging needs. We collaborate closely with our partner high schools and with other leaders in the fields of education and youth development to provide paths for young people to succeed after high school.

Skills-Based Workforce Training

With an estimated 27% to 34% of 16- to 24-year olds out of school and out of work in New York City (JobsFirstNYC, Sept. 2020), it’s imperative that young people have exposure and preparation not only for college but also for a range of other training and experiential opportunities available after graduation.

We’ve used the learnings we’ve gleaned from the CYD Career Academy to build career services in all of our sites, where advisors introduce students and their families to choices they may not have previously considered.

With an estimated 27% to 34% of 16- to 24-year olds out of school and out of work in New York City (JobsFirstNYC, Sept. 2020), it’s imperative that young people have exposure and preparation not only for college but also for a range of other training and experiential opportunities available after graduation.

We’ve used the learnings we’ve gleaned from the Career Academy to build career services in all of our sites, where advisors introduce students and their families to choices they may not have previously considered.

Omar
Finding His Calling
A 2012 graduate and single father, Omar returned to CYD to participate in the rigorous Emergency Medical Technician training program at the Career Academy. He passed the state exam, and is now a certified EMT as well as a proud role model for his son.

CYD Career Academy

We developed the CYD Career Academy in partnership with the Borough of Manhattan Community College to provide postsecondary certificate training to our alumni. This innovative program was designed to bring together the youth development expertise of Comprehensive Youth Development, the instructional expertise of BMCC, and input from leading employers in the healthcare field on best workforce preparation.

More than 250 young people have been trained as Medical Assistants and Emergency Medical Technicians. 60% of graduates are now employed in the healthcare sector.

The CYD Career Academy was piloted as part of JobsFirstNYC’s Young Adult Sectoral Employment Program in collaboration with the NY Alliance for Healthcare, and and since 2016 has been funded by the Workforce Investment Opportunities Act from the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development.

We developed the CYD Career Academy in partnership with the Borough of Manhattan Community College to provide postsecondary certificate training to our alumni. This innovative program was designed to bring together the youth development expertise of Comprehensive Youth Development, the instructional expertise of BMCC, and input from leading employers in the healthcare field on best workforce preparation.

More than 250 young people have been trained as Medical Assistants and Emergency Medical Technicians. 60% of graduates are now employed in the healthcare sector.

The CYD Career Academy was piloted as part of JobsFirstNYC’s Young Adult Sectoral Employment Program in collaboration with the NY Alliance for Healthcare, and and since 2016 has been funded by the Workforce Investment Opportunities Act from the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development.

Noah
Building a Future
Noah came to City-As-School in 2017 and graduated two cycles ahead of his peers. With a strong interest in hands-on work he is pursuing an AAS degree in Residential Construction at SUNY Delhi.

Youth Voices

Incorporating youth voices is a key part of our program design strategy. To assess student needs and create responsive programming, it’s essential that all of us – practitioners as well as policymakers – hear from young people directly.

At Youth Perspectives symposia, students and alumni share their experiences with educators, policymakers, and funders. In sessions in 2018 and 2015, held at Goldman Sachs, student experts shared their experiences on College and Career Preparation and Expanding Options for High School Graduates with more than 100 adults.

Incorporating youth voices is a key part of our program design strategy. To assess student needs and create responsive programming, it’s essential that all of us – practitioners as well as policymakers – hear from young people directly.

At Youth Perspectives symposia, students and alumni share their experiences with educators, policymakers, and funders. In sessions in 2018 and 2015, held at Goldman Sachs, student experts shared their experiences on College and Career Preparation and Expanding Options for High School Graduates with more than 100 adults.

Congratulations 2020 Student Essay Contest Winners!

CYD asked students what they thought about COVID-19, the shutdown, job loss, the protests after George Floyd’s death, and remote learning. Here is what the top three essayists told us.

First-prize winner:
Dayanna Ceron Quito, Manhattan Comprehensive Night & Day High School

The Positive Side
Could you imagine being in quarantine for six months with your eight family members in one apartment? Well it happened to me. My name is Dayanna and I live with all my family, three younger siblings, my mom, my stepfather, and my grandparents. When New York shut down in March, me and my family were unemployed, which meant that there was an abundance of … Read more >>


Dayanna Ceron Quito

Second-prize winner:
Javaria Rehman, Manhattan Comprehensive Night & Day High School

Finding Peace in Chaos
My life changed drastically, and never would I have imagined that such isolated days were coming. On March 16, 2020, schools and colleges in NYC closed down, and at first I was glad that I didn’t have to go to school anymore. The stress from going to school suddenly disappeared and the heavy weight was quickly lifted off my shoulders. But those around me didn’t feel the same way … Read more >>

Javaria Rehman

Third-prize winner:
Sneha Roy, The High School for Health Professions and Human Services

The Voyage to Restore Hope
With the launch of COVID-19 in mid-March, everyone appeared to describe it as unprecedented and unforeseen. Though undisputable, it indeed is something beyond comprehension. My encounter with COVID had negatively introduced despondence. As uneasy as I was with my health and education, time compelled me to believe that there was no better time to … Read more >>

Sneha Roy