When a meaningful job experience is coupled with academic achievement, a young person has a much better chance of finding success and independence in adulthood.

Our work employment approach has evolved in recent years to include a more thoughtful college and career development strategy. It’s crucial to match each individual’s interests with work opportunities that develop their professional skillsets through hands-on learning experiences. We have also adopted a peer-to-peer training model that allows older youth to teach their younger counterparts. Children’s Aid places 3,000 participants in a broad array of jobs—at summer camps, at corporations, in the offices of city and state elected officials—in Manhattan and the Bronx through more than 100 partnership placements.

Children’s Aid summer youth employment program and school year employment program—Work, Learn, and Grow—is run through the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD).