United Way of Long Island was awarded a $75,000 grant from Bank of America for its Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). This program provides high school and college students from diverse Long Island communities with paid internships and hands-on career training. There were 33 students employed with 21 nonprofit host agencies in communities throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties this summer.
The host organizations included O.L.A. Eastern Long Island, Pal-O-Mine, Town of Babylon- Amityville Resource Center, Sepa Mujer, Girls Inc. of LI, Housing Help, La Fuerza, Suffolk County Youth Bureau, Hicksville Boys & Girls Club, Long Beach Reach, Circulo de la Hispanidad, Choice for All, Pronto, Hispanic Brotherhood, Options for Community Living, Backstretch Best, Hispanic Counseling, Gerald Ryan Outreach, Urban League of Long Island, United Way of Long Island, Youth and Family Counseling of Oyster Bay.
During the six-week summer program, students worked in various capacities that included 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 has been underwriting for over a decade.
“United Way of Long Island is pleased to partner with Bank of America to provide this experience and professional development to the next generation,” said Theresa A. Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island. “Opportunities like this program are essential for our youth, helping them explore their potential career interests and develop their skills for entering the workforce.”
“Equipping young adults with the appropriate and necessary tools to build a successful career is a core part of Bank of America’s commitment to advancing social and economic mobility,” said Marc Perez, President, Bank of America Long Island. “United Way of Long Island’s Summer Youth Employment Program gives young Long Islanders the opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience to help catapult their careers into the future and set them up for a lifetime of financial security.”
At the beginning of August, the interns came together for a career development day presented by Bank of America. Among the guest speakers were Tracey Edwards, Commissioner - New York State Public Service Commission; Brandon Ray, Author; Mario Ticas, Senior Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager Global Commercial Banking Bank of America; and Sean O’Hara, United Way Resource Development Associate and Alumni Summer Youth Employment Program Intern.
Through the interactive panel, interns learned practical skills for crafting resumes and interviewing professionally and confidently. They also gained tips and tools for networking.
United Way has served as the fiscal agent and the employer of record for the Summer Youth Employment Program for over a decade. The Nassau and Suffolk County Departments of Human Services’ Office of Youth Services is working with the nonprofit, which helps identify program participants and community agency host sites.
To learn about United Way of Long Island’s youth programs, visit www.unitedwayli.org.
Photo Caption: 2022 Bank of America Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) interns participate in a day of professional development at United Way of Long Island’s headquarters. They received professional development advice from various keynote speakers on navigating the professional world effectively, followed by a Q&A.