Youth Opportunity Connect
Our project is designed to meet two objectives:
- Help High School youth develop and strengthen their occupational skill sets, improve their attitudes about school and entering the workforce, and enhance their professional competencies so they can enter College, join the Workforce, obtain Internships/Apprenticeships, and engage in other meaningful activities.
- Link youth to employment opportunities by connecting low-income youth with Mentors and Employers who can positively impact their lives and inspire them to pursue higher education and land gainful employment.
What is the Youth Opportunity Connect Program?
Youth Opportunity Connect helps Middle School & Highschool youth discover their full potential as productive members in our community while preparing them to become eligible for Mayor Brown’s Summer Internship program for High School students. YOCP also promotes personal growth, self-exploration, and independence in an environment that is safe and supportive. YOCP participants will also explore career and educational opportunities along with working in a small group setting that helps them discover self-awareness and improve the development of their communication, emotional, and social skills.
Who can Enroll in this program?
This is a FREE program, open to any youth attending a Buffalo Public School or Charter School, who resides in the City of Buffalo. Youth must be in entering grades 7th-11th grade.
When does the program take place?
The program begins on Monday July 10th and operated for 6-weeks until Friday August 18th 2023
Where does the Program take place?
The program will be in person 8:00-4:00 pm at the Machnica Community Center, located at 1799 Clinton Street, Buffalo, NY 14206.
Why choose you enroll your child(ren) on the YOC program?
Buffalo PAL will provide Work Readiness Supports, the YOC program will build a youth’s capacity to move towards gainful employment. This will include resume writing, additional job seeking opportunities, mock interviewing, and understanding employer and workplace expectations.
Buffalo PAL will work with youth on developing positive work habits, behaviors, attitudes and gaining the necessary soft skills to be successful in the job market. Buffalo PAL will also work in partnership with local banks and credit unions to support saving and promote good spending habits.
Youth will have the opportunity to have career exploration through workshops and educational field trips/tours to various businesses around the WNY area. It is very important to expose our youth to careers that may interest them and influence their educational path.
Sponsored By:
Buffalo Bills Social Justice Fund
