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On
behalf of Sesame Flyers International, Inc and Curtis Nelson,
Executive Director. I would like to extend my thanks to
you for working with our agency during SYEP 2005.
This
year nearly 900 young people submitted applications to our
agency. Initially, two hundred participants were
randomly selected from that group to work with us for the
seven week period from July 5 to August 19. Just before
the beginning of the summer, an additional 200 participants
enrolled with our agency, doubling the number of participants
in just a few short weeks. Towards the end of summer, an
unprecedented 8th week was offered and I am proud to say that
most of our work sites agreed to host our participants for one
week.
We
were fortunate to have the co-operation of 17 work sites from
the East Flatbush, Crown Heights and Canarsie neighborhoods
join us in this effort. Without your bold vision as
community leaders, we would not have had the opportunity to
provide the youth of this designated high need area with some
of the first work experiences they must have as part of their
development into resilient, self sufficient individuals.
We salute your vision and flexibility that met the demands of
this much needed opportunity for our youth.
Part
of the summer's work experience included an Educational
Component that investigated the areas of Work Readiness,
Financial Literacy, Higher Education Exploration, Career
Exploration and Health Education. Among the concepts
discovered by our participants, were the range of options
available to them after high school, how to think critically
about managing money and how to incorporate elements of a
healthy lifestyle to avoid the diseases that run rampant in
our community such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
For
the 2nd year, the New York Department of Youth and Community
Development administered the SYEP program. In addition
to the innovation of web based application and payroll systems
for the participants and participant debit cards, the SYEP
staff at DYCD have been great advocates for our youth, leaving
no stone unturned in order to bring additional resources to
the youth of this city.
Again,
thank you for being a part of Sesame Flyer's growth. As
an organization committed to nurturing our young people, your
offer to work with us represents a similar commitment to the
development of our best asset.
I
invite you to join us a member of either the Bildersee Beacon
or Winthrop Beacon Advisory Boards. These quarterly
meetings help to keep the programs and activities developed by
our Beacons reflective of the needs of the community. We
welcome your input and support year round. Please feel
free to call me at 718.221.8880
ext 120 or drop a note at
winthropbeacon@msn.com
to let me know how we can improve on this year's success.
As
the autumn season approaches, I wish you a beautiful harvest
of success in your future endeavors. I also hope to have
the good fortune work with you again, next summer.
With
gratitude
Judith
Faison
Program Director
SYEP
LISTED BELOW ARE SOME TESTIMONIALS FROM PAST PASTICIPANTS
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I want
to be an Investment Banker so I can help people in
giving them financial advice. I really think the
Educational Component was needed because it helped to
put me on the right track . . . . .
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I am 16
and as I get older I would like to become a Marine
Veterinarian. I really love animals. I am
funny, basically a big clown. And I like to work
hard to achieve what I want. The Educational
Component taught me a lot during the program
-
I am
going to college and I am majoring in Computer Science.
I love to travel and I like to help people who are in
need. I also like working on computers whether it is
fixing them or installing software. My favorite
subject is Accounting. I hope in the near future
to become a Computer Technician and use my money to
invest so I don't have to worry about money all the
time, giving me time to be with my kids, retire young
and enjoy life.
-
I was
born and raised in New York City. I have seen some
things and also been through stuff that just wasn't
pretty. But I never let that get me down. I
know what I want to be, so I remain without a
frown. Look past my flaws and see the reality.
And just come to realize it's my individuality.
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