What is Your Teen Doing this Summer?

Summer employment and activities are critical to the social and economic development of our young people. The Wall Street Journal reported that in 2012, 16- to 19-year-olds in New York City have experienced an unemployment rate of above 30% for three years in a row, three times the city’s unemployment rate. One in five New Yorkers between 18 and 24 are out of school and out of work. A report issued this year by New York City’s Workforce Investment Board described the consequences of young adults struggling to find jobs. “Research has indicated that work is ‘path-dependent’: those who work at age 17 are more likely to work at 19, and more likely to work into their early 20s and beyond.” And unfortunately, many young people without employment, extra-curricular activities, or in school, get bored and get into trouble.
 

Our young people are eager to work, earn money, and learn new skills if given the opportunity. To that end, the Red Hook Community Justice Center is providing several exciting opportunities.
 

On May 7^th, the Justice Center hosted its Annual Summer Internship Fair for teens and young adults at the NYCHA Miccio Community Center. Over 200 young people came out to learn about exciting opportunities with organizations like: Exalt; Added Value; Groundswell Mural Project; Youth Made Media, and Green City Force.

  

The Justice Center will offer an exciting new photography program called JustArts: Photo Voice in partnership with the Brooklyn Arts Council. Twenty participants ages 16-24 will be selected to participate, and will receive a $600 stipend, metrocards, and a camera. Participants will learn the technical and artistic skills of photography and explore various themes through the photo voice curriculum, with the instruction of professional photographers.

The Justice Center will continue its successful collaboration with the local and renowned Red Hook gallery, Kentler International Drawing Space, and provide summer programming for local pre-teens though our JustArtsDrawing Program: Make Your Mark. Students will explore the many ways and artist can draw INSIDE OUT. The will learn to use their imagination skills and create drawings like never before. Students will be led by K.I.D.S. Teaching Artist, Meghan Keane. Participants must be 11-13 years old and preferably live in Red Hook.

The Justice Center has just finished recruitment for our Summer Internship Program for high school students. Teens will receive professional development training at the Justice Center and are then placed at local organizations and businesses. Nearly 200 applications were received for just 15-20 spots.

The Justice Center will also begin recruitment for its AmeriCorps program, the New York Juvenile Justice Corps shortly, so look out for more information.

 ~Jessica