New Settlement Community Center and Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner (77^th A.D.) announced a $150,000 grant from the New York State Department of Labor on Tuesday, July 14, that will enable the organization’s Young Adult Opportunity Initiative (YAOI) to expand its reach to Bronx youth as they seek employment and educational opportunities.

 

The awarded funds will create employment and educational opportunities for 160 out-of-school, out-of-work youth aged 17 to 24 years of age in the Southwest Bronx/Mount Eden community, and serve 150 alumni in 2021. Ninety of these youth will be placed directly in permanent jobs and/or internships.

 

Rigaud Noel, executive director of New Settlement, based in Mount Eden, said young people in the Southwest Bronx faced higher rates of poverty, underemployment and housing insecurity, particularly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that it was critical that they received opportunities to realize and achieve their full potential. “We are grateful to the New York State Department of Labor for recognizing this need in our community and to Assemblywoman Joyner, who was instrumental in securing the funds to support our Young Adult Opportunity Initiative,” he said.

 

Rooted in the Bronx, New Settlement officials said the organization stands with community members to break systemic barriers, advance justice, promote leadership and strengthen neighborhoods. “By ensuring agency around education, employment, housing, wellness and creative expression, we help cultivate an equitable society where individuals and families have the power to use their voice to create the change they wish to see,” representatives said.

Meanwhile, of the latest project, Noel added, “We look forward to expanding upon this initiative that helps ensure our young people have agency around employment, education and ultimately, their futures.”

 

New Settlement commemorated the expansion during a special ceremony at its YAOI Center in the Bronx with Assemblywoman Joyner, YAOI participants and alumni. Following the ceremony, Assemblywoman Joyner toured the YAOI Center with New Settlement representatives.

 

“Enhancing skills and expanding opportunities, New Settlement’s Young Adult Opportunity Initiative is preparing Bronxites for the highly competitive job market and I am very happy to have secured $150,000 for this valuable program,” said Joyner. “As Labor chair, I am proud to present this financial award to New Settlement Community Center which will help support their youth workforce development initiatives that continuously provide our young adults with the tools and resources needed to excel in today’s professional world.”

 

Joyner added that it was a pleasure getting to engage with everyone at the center and share stories about professional pathways and future aspirations.

New Settlement officials said YAOI is a youth-oriented program that provides support and services to Southwest Bronx community members to ensure long-term, self-sustainability and success. The program offers young people who were once disconnected from their family and community guidance and tangible opportunities, including sector-specific workforce development, internships, pre-employment training, post-secondary education and more.

 

They said YAOI also extends High School Equivalency (HSE) instruction to students aged 17 to 21 years of age onsite through its “Pathways to Graduation” classrooms, through a partnership with the Department of Education. Job development staff and advisors assess and counsel participants individually to help develop vocational/professional interests and provide realistic appraisals of employment opportunities and goals.

 

Norwood News recently reported on similar programs for youth in the Northwest Bronx offered by Mosholu Montefiore Community Center (MMCC) which help local youth finish their education and enter successful employment.

 

Meanwhile, New Settlement representatives said that since 2005, YAOI has successfully prepared, guided and placed over 1,200 out-of-school opportunity youth in education and employment opportunities. For more information about the initiative, visit newsettlement.org/.