Resources and Opportunities for Youth

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New York City Resources and Opportunities for Youth

(Providers on this list are not endorsed by the Law Department. This is not an exhaustive list.)

Academic Support

  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) - NYC Department of Education
    • A career training program, which offers work-based learning opportunities, including job shadowing and mentorships, for 8th graders and high school students.

  • DHS College Prep Project (CPP) - NYC Department of Homeless Services
    • A college preparation program, which helps youth search for colleges, complete applications, and attend college fairs, for high school students living in temporary housing (DHS shelters).

  • Young Adult Literacy Program (YALP) - NYC Department of Youth and Community Development
    • YALP offers academic support for young adults, ages 16-24, struggling with reading and math skills, who want to enroll in high school equivalency tests and preparation programs.

  • BridgeUp - New York Public Library
    • An enrollment-based mentoring and academic support program designed to help students reach their educational goals from the 8th grade through their high school graduation.

  • CUNY Start - The City University of New York (CUNY)
    • An academic support program for CUNY students.

  • Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (CUNY ASAP) - The City University of New York (CUNY)
    • CUNY ASAP offers financial, academic, and personal support for students to earn an associate degree within three years.

  • CUNY Fatherhood Academy (CFA) - The City University of New York (CUNY)
    • An education, employment, and parenting help program for fathers between the ages of 18-28.

After School Programs

  • Comprehensive After School System of NYC (COMPASS NYC) - NYC Department of Youth and Community Development
    • COMPASS NYC offers after school programs for youth in kindergarten through 12th grade.

  • NYC Youth Leadership Councils (YLC) - NYC Service
    • A leadership program for youth, ages 14-21, who are enrolled in high school or an equivalency program and are interested in learning about public policy, practice, or advocacy.

  • Cornerstone Programs - NYC Department of Youth and Community Development
    • Cornerstone offers education, job preparation, and recreation programs for NYCHA residents, who are kindergarten-age or older.

  • School's Out NYC (SONYC) - NYC Department of Youth and Community Development
    • A free after school program for middle school students.

  • Beacon Programs - NYC Department of Youth and Community Development
    • Beacon offers after school, weekend, and summer break volunteer and after-school programs for children between the ages of 6-17, who are enrolled in school.

  • NYPL Afterschool - New York Public Library
    • An enrollment-based, individualized homework help and tutoring program for students in grades 1st through 8th.

  • Law Enforcement Explorers - New York City Police Department
    • A program designed to provide youth, ages 14-20, with an introduction to a career in law enforcement or other related areas of work in the criminal justice system.

  • DREAM - The Specialized High School Institute - New York City Department of Education
    • A 22-month program, which operates from February of 6th grade to the fall of 8th grade, for qualifying students interested in taking the Specialized High School Admissions Tests (SHSAT).

Internships and Work Opportunities

  • NYC Ladders for Leaders - NYC Department of Youth and Community Development
    • A paid summer internship program for high school and college students.

  • Intern and Earn - NYC Department of Youth and Community Development
    • A 14-week paid internship program for youth between the ages of 16-24, who are neither enrolled in school nor working.

  • Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) - NYC Department of Youth and Community Development
    • SYEP offers youth, ages 14-24, paid summer work for up to six weeks.

  • Work, Learn, & Grow Employment Program - NYC Department of Youth and Community
    • This program is designed to build off of experiences gained in SYEP for youth and young adults, ages 16-21, who are currently in school.

  • In-School Youth Employment Program (ISY) - NYC Department of Youth and Community Development
    • ISY is a college and work preparation program for high school students.

  • Out-of-School Youth (OSY) Program - NYC Department of Youth and Community Development
    • OSY is a year-long work preparation program for low-income youth, ages 16-24, who are neither working nor in school.

  • Everett Children's Adventure Garden Explainer Internship - New York Botanical Garden
    • A competitive internship program for high school students designed to teach youth about plant science and ecology.

  • Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program - New York City Bar Association
    • A summer intensive internship program for high-achieving high school students interested in pursuing legal careers.

  • Kings County District Attorney's Office Internship Program - Kings County District Attorney
    • A highly competitive unpaid internship program open to high school juniors and seniors, who reside and go to school in Brooklyn, and have an interest in learning about criminal justice and public interest law.

  • New York County District Attorney's Office High School Internship Program - New York County District Attorney
    • A highly competitive internship program for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, who reside and attend school in Manhattan, and have an interest in learning about criminal justice. Interns receive a $175 weekly stipend.

Health and Social Services

  • School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) - New York City Department of Education/ NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
    • Free health care services, such as medical exams, eye exams, asthma screenings, among others, for students, regardless of their immigration status, in their schools. Some SBHC's also provide mental health care and reproductive care for high school students.

  • NYC YouthHealth - New York City Health + Hospitals
    • Health care services, such as sexual and reproductive health care, primary care, mental health and depression help, LGBTQ care, healthy weight management, and sports physical/injury care for youth, regardless of their ability to pay, immigration status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression.

  • LGBTQ Health Care Services - New York City Health + Hospitals
    • Quality health care services, such as women's and men's primary care, transgender health, including gender affirming surgeries and hormone therapy, HIV and STD prevention, screening, and treatment, among others, for LGBTQ New Yorkers.

  • Drop-In Centers - Safehorizon
    • Safehorizon operates two drop-in centers (one located in Harlem and the other in the Lower East Side), where homeless youth could access meals, showers, an art center, and a counseling center, among other services.

Volunteer Opportunities for Youth (working with the elderly)

  • New York Cares
    • New York Cares offers youth opportunities to volunteer, individually or as part of a group, with seniors at different settings and locations. Youth, ages six and older, can partake in "Family Friendly" projects along with a parent or legal guardian. Youth, ages 14 and older, can volunteer individually or join a "Teen Group," led by a trained individual, who is 21 or older. Additional ways to volunteer are also available.

  • DOROT
    • DOROT offers youth (in preschool through high school) volunteer programs and workshops to engage with seniors in Manhattan. Opportunities range from ongoing visiting programs to internships for high school students. Group volunteer options are also available for interested school and youth organizations.

  • Citymeals on Wheels
    • Through Citymeals on Wheels, high school students can deliver meals to and make handmade cards for seniors. Students are also welcome to provide kitchen help. Additional ongoing visiting opportunities are available through the "Friendly Visiting" program, among others. The time commitment for each program varies.

  • GlamourGals
    • GlamourGals chapters are student-led service (or volunteer) clubs which can be founded at high schools. As service clubs, GlamourGals chapters organize and provide beauty makeovers to women living in senior homes or who participate in programming at community centers.

  • Visiting Neighbors
    • Visiting Neighbors offers student volunteers multiple opportunities to engage with seniors. High school students of all ages are welcome to participate either through school-sponsored volunteering events or individually.