FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT

April 7, 2021 Mercy A. Quaye

mercy@narrative-project.com 203.913.5008

Youth programs offer opportunity to develop professional experience while earning money

New Haven, CT - Elm City Communities/Housing Authority of New Haven (ECC/HANH) today announced the expansion of two youth employment programs made possible by a $35,000 grant. The Student Training and Employment Program (STEP) and the Resident Services Youth Volunteer Program (RSYVP) have been developed to afford young people ages 14 to 24 from within the ECC/HANH community the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, take part in a variety of character building activities, and earn money. ECC/HANH will be offering the opportunity to join these programs to more participants this year. The donor has requested to remain anonymous.

“These programs keep our youth engaged and moving toward their goals while providing them with compensation for their hard work,” said Karen DuBois-Walton, President of Elm City Communities. “Thanks to this generous grant, we are able to help more young people realize their full potential by giving them valuable work and life experience.”

STEP was created in 2012 to provide work experience, career preparation, and formal training to 19 to 24-year-olds. Several criteria are considered for eligibility into the program including but not limited to current enrollment in high school, college, university, vocational school, or trade school. The priority of the program is to prepare and support career-driven students on their individual career paths to success.

Students chosen will each work within a department of ECC/HANH that they have an interest in for up to 20 hours a week and make $15 per hour. Additionally, the program provides the students with professional and personal development training including resume building and email etiquette.

RSYVP is a newer program having been developed last summer to fill the void left by many summer camps, clubs, and programs being shuttered by COVID. RSYVP will include youths aged 14 to 18 for 10 weeks this summer. Volunteers will work one to two days per week for 4 hours per day and make $15 per hour. They will clean up different neighborhoods, learn about the city ordinances that were created to keep the city safe and clean and receive mentoring. Two parents will also be selected to work with the youth and receive $18 per hour. Last year the program partnered with City of New Haven Alder Honda Smith.

“This program shows young people that their community is an extension of themselves and they should take pride in it just as they take pride in themselves,” Smith said. “We had a profound impact last summer and I’m happy to see the program continue to expand and engage more students and volunteers in meaningful community-based work.”

To learn more about ECC/HANH visit www.elmcitycommunities.org.

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Elm City Communities/Housing Authority of New Haven (ECC/HANH) is the public housing agency serving the City of New Haven. We serve over 6,100 families and over 14,000 individuals through our public housing, housing choice voucher and low-income housing tax credit programs. Through our affordable housing programs, residents pay no more than 30% of their income toward their housing expenses. Families are supported in reaching their life goals through a full array of supportive services that lead to the increased income, entrepreneurism, education attainment, homeownership and more. Elm City Communities is committed to expanding access to affordable housing services and to ensuring that these services are available in every community.