September 23, 2021 (Deer Park, NY) – United Way of Long Island was awarded a $75,000 grant from Bank of America for its Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which provides high school and college students from diverse Long Island communities, with paid internships and hands-on career training. Nearly 30 students, ages 14-23, were employed with 29 non-profit host agencies in communities throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties this summer.
Organizations included; Backstretch Employee Service Team of NY (B.E.S.T), Boys & Girls Club of Bellport, Choice for All, Circulo De La Hispanidad, COPAY Inc., Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Family Community Life Center, Gerald J. Ryan Outreach Center, Gateway Youth Outreach, Inc., Girls, Inc. of Long Island, Hicksville Boys & Girls Club, Hispanic Brotherhood, Hispanic Counseling Center, Housing Help, Inc., La Fuerza Unida, Long Beach Reach, Make the Road NY, Minority Millennials, Nassau County Youth Bureau, OLA of Eastern Long Island, Options for Community Living, PEACE Afterschool Program Inc., Pronto of Long Island, SEPA Mujer, Inc., Town of Babylon - KYC Program, Town of Huntington - Summer Youth Connection, United Way of Long Island, Urban League of Long Island, and Youth & Family Counseling Agency of Oyster Bay, Inc.
During the course of the six-week summer program, students worked in a variety of capacities, such as: office administrative roles; participating in research projects; organizing food pantries; and helping facilitate resources at summer camps. The Summer Youth Employment Program is a program that Bank of America underwrites each year and is now in its 10th year.
At the end of July, the group of interns came together virtually for a remote career development and financial literacy day, presented by Bank of America senior staff. Through the interactive webinar, interns learned practical skills for crafting their resumes as well as interviewing with professionalism and confidence. They also gained tips and tools for money management, including how to balance debt with necessary living expenses, through Bank of America’s Better Money Habits program.
“United Way of Long Island is pleased to partner with Bank of America to provide paid work experience, including professional development, for our young people,” stated Theresa A. Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island. “These opportunities, along with service projects, are critical in helping our youth explore career interests and attain relevant skill sets for when they enter the workplace.”
In addition to their career development training, students participated in a Day of Community Service at United Way of Long Island’s headquarters. This year, as part of their summer employment, they had the opportunity to give back to the community by filling and assembling over 250 backpacks that were distributed to the children of Freeport School District.
United Way has served as both the fiscal agent and the employer of record for the Summer Youth Employment Program for the past ten years. Working with the non-profit are the Nassau and Suffolk County Departments of Human Services’ Office of Youth Services, who help to identify both program participants and community agency host sites.
To learn about United Way of Long Island’s youth programs visit www.unitedwayli.org.
Photo Caption: 2021 Bank of America Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) interns participate in a Day of Community Service at United Way of Long Island’s headquarters. They filled over 250 backpacks to be given to Dr. Kuncham, Superintendent of Freeport schools, and then distributed to the children of a Freeport Elementary school.
About United Way of Long Island
United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. We recruit people and organizations that bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become part of the change. United Way of Long Island is part of a worldwide network spanning across 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. For more information about United Way of Long Island, please visit UnitedWayLI.org, or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Bank of America
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).
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