Teens participating in the Cobble Hill Health Center’s Summer Youth Employment Program, which provides New York City youth between the ages of 14-24 with summer employment and educational opportunities, took some time out to pose for their annual end-of-year photo shoot.
Participants in SYEP work in a variety of entry-level jobs at government agencies, hospitals, summer camps, non-profits, small businesses, law firms, museums, sports enterprises, and retail organizations.
The program strives to emphasize real-world labor expectations, increase awareness of services offered by local community-based organizations, and provide opportunities for career instruction, financial literacy training, academic improvement, and social growth.
The students were strictly supervised by Cobble Hill personnel as they helped transport the elderly in wheelchairs to therapy sessions, help at mealtimes, change linen and generally act as assistants to the nursing assistants.
This year’s group was the largest ever, with almost 100 participants. The program is directed by Karen White, Cobble Hill’s director of volunteers sicne 2003, who has been recognized in past occasion for her volunteer work with local high school students. White has successfully expanded the general volunteer program to include 135 teenagers and 60 adults throughout the year.
After the photo shoot the students held a fashion show to the delight of residents at the center, 380 Henry Street.
