Bridging the Skills Gaps: Job Training for High Schoolers implemented by Jacob Riis

Learn more about this project in the video below!

• Original Idea Voted on by New Yorkers: The LaunchPad Internship Experience will empower youth to discover their potential, build real-world skills, and begin the first steps confidently into their future. This project will provide high school aged youth with paid hands-on real world work experience. Internships will be offered in various fields of employment in order to best expose participants to workforce diversity.

• Implementing Organization: Riis Settlement

• Funding Amount: $170,000

The responses below are directly from the community organizations selected to implement The People’s Money projects.

How does your organization plan to bring this idea to life?

Offered at the Queensbridge Community Center, the program will provide students with personalized guidance from mentors who will help them identify their strengths, explore potential career paths, and develop effective job search strategies. This mentorship will empower them to navigate job markets and pursue their interests with clarity and confidence.

A core focus of the program is building foundational soft skills that are critical for success in any professional environment. Students will learn essential skills such as effective communication, teamwork, time management, and conflict resolution—competencies that will benefit them both during their internships and in their future careers.These skills will make them valuable assets to employers across a variety of Industries. Youth will be provided with tools for the workforce prior to and following their internship experience. This preparation will be delivered through a series of structured workshops, each tailored to address the specific needs of the participants.

Internship sites include:

• Variety Boy's and Girls Club

• Astoria Love, Family Enrichment Center

• Levrich, Inc. (Graphic Design)

• Celestial Music Academy 

• Jacob Riis IT Department 

• Ursula Stephens Beauty Salon

• Kazani Beauty Hair Care

What motivated your organization to apply to implement this idea?

Founded in 1889, Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement (Riis Settlement) is a multi-service community-based organization embedded in western Queens for over 70 years. Our mission is to combat the effects of generational poverty and marginalization, while building and strengthening underserved communities. We serve the diverse low-income communities of Long Island City & Astoria, with particular focus on the nearly 20,000 residents of the area’s 3 major public housing sites: Queensbridge, Ravenswood, and Astoria Houses (predominantly Black, Hispanic, and Asian residents). We provide place-based, multi-generational services & support that enable community members of all circumstances to achieve social & economic self-sufficiency.

Riis Settlement’s in-house Opportunity Youth Internships provide young people aged 16-24 with paid internships across the workforce. The program offers work readiness training, job counseling, and up to 140 hours of supported paid work experience, with jobs that match each participant's interests and provide opportunities for career exploration. Riis staff also assist participants in developing post-program action plans for further education and unsubsidized employment.

List at least one thing you're excited about related to this project!

Jacob Riis is excited to encourage youth in Queensbridge to find their footing through exploring different careers and forming new professional relationships.

How can someone participate or stay up to date on the project?

The LaunchPad Internship Experience has concluded, but you can visit our website to learn more!

Website: https://www.riissettlement.org/
Instagram: @riis_settlement
Facebook: @https://www.facebook.com/riissettlement.org/
LinkedIn: @riis-settlement