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Summer Programming
The Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD is home to the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and Ladders for Leaders Program (LFL) for young New Yorkers looking for work during the summer months.
The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the nation’s largest youth employment program. The program connects NYC youth with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer.
SYEP is open to all NYC residents between the ages of 14 to 24 who are legally able to work in the United States.
What SYEP Option is best for you?
Click an item below, or press the enter key on an item for more information.
In Your Community
SYEP's Community Based option provides NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience! This is an exciting opportunity to gain real world work experience and sharpen your skillset. Participants are selected via randomized lottery.
In Your School
Designed for students between the ages of 14 and 21 from select DOE schools to provide career exploration opportunities and paid work experience.
Eligibility Requirement:
- Must attend one of the DOE schools listed here
- Selection to the program is conducted by the participating schools rather than the online lottery
- Programs are co-created by the school and the SYEP provider to reflect the school’s program focus and students’ career interests
- Students receive comprehensive work-readiness training before their summer experience
- Provides opportunity to connect real-world work experiences with what you learn in the classroom, earn high school credit, and/or WBL hours towards a CDOS pathway
Emerging Leaders
SYEP's Emerging Leaders option provides opportunities to youth ages 14 to 24 who face at least one of the following employment barriers: homeless or runaway youth, justice-involved youth, youth in or aging out of foster care, youth in families who are receiving preventive services through NYC’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS.
The Emerging Leaders Program is based on agency partnerships that help youth to navigate life's challenges and empower them through a project /work-based lens.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a resident of the five boroughs of NYC.
- Legally allowed to work in the United States.
- Must be referred by affiliated agency support staff
Must face one of the listed employment barriers below to be served
- Homeless & Runaway (Residing in Shelters)
- Justice/Court Involved
- Foster Care
- Receiving Preventive Services through ACS
Special partners recruit/refer available NYC youth through additional service options:
*Youth must receive a direct referral from their support agency.
- DOE-ACCESS • DOE- Students in Temporary Housing
- DOE-D75 • End Domestic and Gender Based Violence
- DOE-D79 • HRA – Cash Assistance through Business Link
- DOE-LYFE • Runaway Homeless Youth
- Young people aged 14—15 can participate in paid project-based activities which will help them explore different career opportunities
- Young people aged 16—24 can apply for paid summer jobs in a variety of industries throughout NYC.
For NYCHA Residents
The SYEP MAP to $uccess Program is designed to provide SYEP opportunities to youth ages 14 to 24 who currently reside in select MAP Housing Developments
The goal of the MAP to $uccess is based on agency partnerships that help young people to navigate life's challenges and empower them through a project /work-based lens.
Eligibility Requirement:
- Must be a resident of the five boroughs of NYC.
- Legally allowed to work in the United States.
- Must be a resident of one of the identified MAP developments.
| · Boulevard | · Jefferson | · Stapleton |
|
· Brownsville |
· Johnson |
· Tompkins |
| · Bushwick | · Patterson | · Van Dyke |
|
· Butler |
· Polo Grounds |
· Wagner |
| · Castle Hill | · Queensbridge | · Wyckoff |
| · Gowanus | · Red Hook | |
| · Ingersoll | · St. Nicholas |
For NYCHA Residents
SYEP's CareerFIRST Program is designed to provide summer opportunities to youth ages 14 to 24 who currently reside in select non-MAP NYCHA public Housing Developments.
CareerFIRST provides work-readiness training and paid project-based or work-based experiences for participants.
Eligibility Requirement:
- Must be a resident of the five boroughs of NYC.
- Legally allowed to work in the United States.
- Must be a resident of one of the identified NYCHA developments.
|
· Baruch |
· Ravenswood |
|
· Breukelen |
· Throggs Neck |
|
· Bronx River |
· Tilden |
|
· Farragut |
· West Brighton |
|
· King Towers |
Ready to learn more?
Documents
SYEP, Ages 14-15
- Teens Ages 14−15 Provider List
- Younger Youth Document Checklist
- Most Common Questions for Younger Youth Ages 14-15
SYEP, Ages 16-24
- NYC Older Youth Ages 16-24 Provider List
- Older Youth Document Checklist
- Most Common Questions for Older Youth Ages 16-24
Ladders for Leaders
Ladders for Leaders is a nationally recognized program that offers outstanding high school and college students the opportunity to participate in paid professional summer internships with leading corporations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies in New York City.
Ladders for Leaders is open to NYC residents between the ages of 16—24 who are enrolled in high school or college and have prior work experience (either paid or volunteer).
Ready to learn more?
Documents
- Ladders Participant FAQs
- Ladders Community Partners
- Ladders Document Checklist
- Ladders Success Stories
*The Department of Youth and Community Development is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.