Henry Street offers four programs for youth seeking employment: the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP); the Young Adult Internship Program (YAIP), which is offered via three cohorts of 30 young people in 14-week intervals throughout the year; Project RISE, which is offered in two cohorts of 30 each year in six-month intervals; and a job training and placement through the Workforce Development Center.

Not sure which employment program is right for you? Please contact Yesenia Vargas at 212.478.5400 x203 or yvargas@henrystreet.org.

Summer Youth Employment Program

Henry Street places youth between the ages of 14 and 24 in six weeks of summer employment and provides workshops on finances, health, college and careers, and work readiness skills. Applications are available April 1 of each year and applicants are selected through a lottery. Click here to apply for the program.

For more information, contact Program Coordinator Gia Scales at 212.254.3100 x215 or gscales@henrystreet.org.

Young Adult Internship Program

The Young Adult Internship Program (YAIP) serves 17- to 24-year-olds who are not currently enrolled in school or working. The program begins with a three-week job readiness training held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This training is followed by an 11-week internship experience at worksites in a variety of professional fields, during which participants can earn up to $2,500, and then at least nine months of follow-up services.

The YAIP provides young adults with opportunities to develop work skills that will help them transition to productive careers. It also connects youth to educational/social services, case management/counseling, job placement and/or enrollment in GED classes, college or advanced training.

Serious applicants should contact Program Coordinator Joseph Alston at 212.254.3100 x258 or jalston@henrystreet.org for further information and application paperwork.

Project Rise

Project RISE works with young people between the ages of 18 and 24 who have not been engaged in work or education for six months and are in need of GED services. The program serves two cohorts of young people annually.

Once enrolled, young people begin with a five-week orientation that includes a strong work-readiness curriculum and daily GED classes. If participants satisfy requirements, they are awarded an 18-week paid internship, offered with continued participation in GED classes. Participants are paid minimum wage and also receive cash incentives for excellent GED class attendance and achieving other milestones.

Unlike similar programs, students are encouraged to take the GED exam as soon as they pass the Official Practice Test, and if they pass, they may continue interning. In the post-internship phase, participants receive job placement assistance including but not limited to interview preparation, help selecting appropriate attire, and transportation assistance, when appropriate.

In addition to these core services, all program participants are assigned an advisor. Participants meet weekly with the advisor to discuss progress toward self-selected goals and possible connections to other services both inside and outside Henry Street, which might help participants achieve these goals. 

Project RISE is currently recruiting participants for a cohort that will start in February 2013. To receive more information about Project RISE or to apply, contact Program Coordinator Erica Pollock at 212.473.1474 or epollock@henrystreet.org.

Workforce Development Center

Henry Street’s Workforce Development Center can help out-of-school youth ages 18 to 24 find and keep a job. The program provides the tools and resources needed to begin and complete a successful job search. Staff helps participants improve skills and confidence to increase employment opportunities. And even after a job is secured, the staff continues to work with participants, offering alumni activities and help with career advancement. For more information, contact Yesenia Vargas at 212.478.5400 x203 or yvargas@henrystreet.org.