News Detail

Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) - 2026

8/24/2026

Forty-eight Lexington students gained valuable work skills this summer by participating in NYC's Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). The program connects NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experiences. The program is sponsored by NYC’s Department of Youth and Community Development.

Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Summary

A total of 48 students participated in and successfully completed SYEP this summer, including 34 Older Youth and 14 Younger Youth participants.

Older Youth students participated in real-world work experiences at a variety of worksites across the city, including nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and community-based programs. These experiences allowed students to develop professional and workplace skills.
Younger Youth students participated in work-based learning activities designed to explore careers, develop workplace readiness skills, and identify their personal interests.

Younger Youth Program

This year marked the first year that we hosted our own Younger Youth program. Students received direct instruction while exploring a variety of careers and identifying their personal interests. Several guest speakers met with students to share information about their careers and professional experiences.

Students also participated in project-based learning by developing their own business idea and completed Pre-ETS workshops led by Lexington’s Vocational Agency, focusing on self-advocacy, workplace readiness, and career exploration.

At the conclusion of the program, students presented their final projects to fellow students, staff, and administrators. This gave students an opportunity to showcase what they learned throughout the summer and celebrate their accomplishments.

Older Youth Worksite Placements & Number of Students Assigned

Bobbi & the Strays – 2
Lexington – 4
Queens Botanical Garden – 4
ReelAbilities – 2
Deaf Kids Code – 8
Senator Ramos' Office – 1
Sunnyside Community Center – 2
NYPD Placements:

Community Affairs Bureau – 1
Patrol Borough Staten Island – 1
Payroll & Benefits Division – 2
Bronx Options – 4
Brooklyn Options – 1
Truck Help – 2

Total Worksites: 13
Total Older Youth Placements: 34

Team Leaders/Job Coaches

A total of 5 staff members supported students throughout the summer as Team Leaders and Job Coaches:

Tobi Haberstroh – Older Youth
Aileen Modesto – Older Youth
Raven Pentz – Older Youth
Stephanie Johnston – Younger Youth
Jared Lopatin – Younger Youth

Student Success Highlights

Supervisors and worksite staff provided positive feedback about our students and their performance throughout the summer.

At Queens Botanical Garden, a supervisor shared with me:

“They are amazing and brighten all our lives. They all are getting to work on time, are putting in so much effort and are so fun to be around. I got my first sign name today!”

At Bobbi & the Strays, a staff member wrote on a student’s evaluation:

“I truly believe that summer youth work programs shape our young for entry into the workforce; as it did for me. You are well on your way. You demonstrate great initiative, leadership skills, and the willingness to learn new things.”

Overall, we are very proud of what our students accomplished this summer and grateful to our staff, worksite supervisors, community partners, and everyone who helped make these opportunities possible.

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