Children’s Arts and Science Workshops (CASW) recently made the news as a provider for two of the nation’s largest youth employment programs.
Real-World Experience for High School and College Students
This past week, ABC 7 Eyewitness News paid us a visit at our Boone Avenue office, where they had the opportunity to sit down with participants and staff to discuss the impact CASW-Workforce programs have had on the community. Over 100,000 young people ages 14-24 are in the Summer Youth Employment program, and a smaller subsection (1,100) makes up Ladders for Leaders. Yet, one thing remains true for each of them: These programs are key to helping high school and college students build relevant work experience – forging the path toward their future careers. CASW, in partnership with the Department of Youth and Community Development, proudly provides these opportunities.
Insights from CASW Leadership
“I feel that everyone who says ‘I want a job,’ should get a job,” says Julissa Figueroa, Director of CASW-Workforce. “Without these programs, they wouldn’t have anything to put on their resume when they apply for college. Right now, when you apply to college, it’s almost like you are applying for a job.” The truth is that what we learn in the classroom is only part of our educational journey. If students are to become working professionals, they need to learn what it’s truly like to work outside of the classroom. “They start off being a little shy…by the time they graduate, they are this amazing, thriving 18-year-old who knows more about the world than I do,” says Janae-Russell Goyco, SYEP In-School Youth and Community Programming director.
But perhaps the impact of these programs is best expressed through the testimonial of one of our participants, 14-year-old Gabriel Peters: “I really wanted to be an actor or singer, but now my worlds are expanding, and there’s a lot more I want to do.”
