Poughkeepsie … Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino congratulates the 158 young participants of various backgrounds and interests who completed (graduated) the Department of Community and Family Services’ (DCFS) weeks-long Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). The SYEP, coordinated by Dutchess County Workforce Investment Board (DCWIB), provides valuable work experience and life skills to qualified young people to help them prepare for future, permanent employment.

County Executive Sue Serino said, “Congratulations to all the students who took part in our Summer Youth Employment Program! These young men and women have demonstrated a strong desire to learn and succeed in the workplace, and as they move forward, I am confident they will bring the experience, knowledge, and confidence they gained this summer. As someone who did not take the ‘traditional’ path, I applaud these students for taking the initiative to participate and learn the necessary skills to help thrive in the workplace. I look forward to seeing where the future takes them!”

The annual SYEP is offered to qualified students, ages 14 to 20 and whose families qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).  The program is a 6-8 week-long training course on various topics including teamwork; problem-solving; fundamental fiscal management concepts; verbal and non-verbal communication; goal setting and employment strategies; and stress management.

Along with the training program, student receive a summer job placement and mentorship.  Students are placed at local organizations and businesses where they work an average of 20 hours per week throughout July and August and apply the skills they are learning on the job.  Students gather weekly to discuss what was successful for them at their workplace to further learn from each other’s experiences.

The job placements provide opportunities for students to be immersed in a diverse range of industries, thanks to the WIB’s partnerships with local businesses, organizations and government agencies. This exposure helps participants discover their passions, but also has paved the way for potential career paths.    This year’s partners included Megabrain Comics in Red Hook, Candy O’s Sweet Shop in Millerton, Poughkeepsie Farm Project, the Pine Plains Free Library along with many others.

The SYEP program concludes with Youth Summit graduation event, which was held last week at Dutchess BOCES in Salt Point. The event features a career fair with various local businesses and nonprofit organizations.  Local business owners and experts in their fields led workshops and seminars focused on enhancing important skills, such as communication, time management, teamwork and conflict resolution – all with the aim of offering the young people a comprehensive development experience.

DCWIB Executive Director Louise McLoughlin said, “The Dutchess County Workforce Investment Board is delighted to again collaborate with the Department of Community & Family Services to provide this meaningful program that positively impacts numerous young people. This summer, the graduates have acquired essential lifelong skills, which we hope they will keep refining as they transition to life after school.”

DCFS directed $601,494 to the DCWIB for the 2024 Summer Youth Employment Program from the federally funded TANF program.

DCFS Commissioner Sabrina Jaar Marzouka said, “The Summer Youth Employment Program aims to provide a positive work experience and prepare participants for what they can expect to find in a job setting and expose them to diverse career paths. By completing this year’s program, our graduates are now better equipped for higher education or the workforce, having gained practical skills, expanded their networks and built a strong sense of responsibility; all which help them to become self-sufficient, independent adults.”