Summer 2021: Getting Students Back on Track
Young Community Developers (YCD) assists customers in their personal and professional development through training, education and academic support. Our Youth Development (YD) programs mobilize and empower youth in the pursuit of sustainable career success. YCD’s YD programs successfully address the need for alternative education for students who are disconnected from mainstream pathways.
This summer, some of our youth programs were finally able to bring students back to in-person learning and reemerge from this crisis stronger. While preparing for in-person programming presented many obstacles, our team stepped up to the challenge and executed a successful summer for SYAEP and Summer Bridge. Other programming like CityWorks, took a hybrid approach with both in-person and remote engagement.
To get students back on track and prepare them for the following school semester, YCD along with many other summer camps and programs, participated in the Summer Together initiative. The programs YCD provides guides youth to create opportunities, meet needs, and develop meaningful, relevant skills and supports to achieve self sufficiency:
Summer Youth Academic Employment Program (SYAEP)
Summer Youth Academic Employment Program (SYAEP) is a 5-week, in-person, summer program designed to assist students in summer school. Students receive class support, college and career exposure, and opportunities to connect with peers and participate in team-building activities. Not only do students receive academic support and job readiness training, but they also have the opportunity to earn an educational award up to $1,000 contingent on participation and the passing of their classes.
While online programs have significant strengths and offer unprecedented accessibility to quality education, there are weaknesses inherent in the use of this medium. Online learning requires students to have access to technology, the internet, and possession to a minimum level of computer knowledge. Summer school was held virtually, but SYAEP’s academic coaches were on site at the Stripe building and Balboa High School to assist students who required any extra support. Our academic coaches were present to compensate for the lack of physical presence of an instructor by creating a supportive learning environment.
Follow us on instagram @s_y_a_e_p to stay updated about our program and be the first to apply for Summer 2022!
Summer Bridge & CityWorks
Summer Bridge is a 5-week transitional program designed to help students entering their first year of high school. Our program aims to get students a step ahead in the following semester. Upon completion, students will receive $1,000 and 5 elective credits towards their high school transcript.
CityWorks is a paid summer internship program for high school and college students from San Francisco’s southeast neighborhoods. CityWorks interns work with professional mentors and gain valuable skills necessary for both academic and professional success. Historically the program targeted students who were interested in architecture, engineering, and environmental management. This summer, CityWorks was able to expand and include art and design, government relations, marketing, and law. This summer, the program is hosting fifteen (15) interns who are placed at ten (10) different companies, including but not limited to, SFPUC, Brown & Caldwell, Swinerton Builders, Andrea Baker Consulting, and ARC Document Solutions.
If you are interested in becoming a partner and hosting an intern for CityWorks 2022, please contact Program Director, Lindsey Lopez-Weaver at llopez@ycdjobs.org
Angel Chavez, a 1st-year intern working at Swinerton, pictured at the 921 Howard Jobsite with the 415 Natoma project.
Jaylen Pruitt, 2nd-year intern, onsite with marketing company ARC, working on daily production and operations, email correspondence, and running large format printers.
This has been a tumultuous year for students, they’ve had to go through extraordinary challenges during distance learning. YCD recognizes these challenges and will move in the direction of equity and continue to address the effects of the pandemic on our youth. To receive announcements about youth programs we offer during the school year, visit our website at www.ycdjobs.org and follow us on Instagram @ycd_jobs.