Changes at "Youth Job Training and Employment Opportunities"

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• Original Idea Voted on by New Yorkers: Connect youth with job training through outreach and awareness of training opportunities. Offer presentations and counseling to the youth on employment, career, and trade opportunities.

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• Implementing Organization: Bridge Street Development Corporation

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• Neighborhoods: Bushwick, and Bedford Stuyvesant

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• Funding Amount: $235,000

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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?

By offering accessible training tracks with few entry barriers and high relevance to current employer needs, we aim to remove common obstacles to employment for low-income and underserved young adults. Participants will gain skills they can immediately apply to secure entry-level positions, while also receiving the guidance and support needed to build sustainable, long-term career pathways.

What motivated your organization to apply to implement this idea?

Bridge Street is deeply interested in implementing the Youth Job Skills Training and Employment Opportunities project as part of The People’s Money participatory budgeting initiative because it directly aligns with our longstanding mission to promote civic and economic empowerment among Central Brooklyn residents—particularly low-to-moderate income youth and families.

Since our founding in 1995, Bridge Street has been a trusted provider of youth development services, consistently delivering high-impact programs that prepare young people for academic, personal, and professional success. We have over a decade of experience operating youth employment and skills development initiatives that combine evidence-based practices with strong community partnerships. Our programs have consistently met or exceeded their goals while reaching hundreds of youth annually, especially those from underserved or opportunity youth populations.

How do you think this project will make a difference in your community?

Implementing this project would allow Bridge Street to expand our capacity to address persistent youth unemployment and underemployment in Central Brooklyn. We understand firsthand the transformative impact that targeted training, mentorship, and paid work experience can have on young people—particularly those who face systemic barriers to success. It also allows for intensive wraparound services, including mentorship, individualized case management, and career counseling, which are critical for retention and long-term success.

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

Participants will gain skills they can immediately apply to secure entry-level positions, while also receiving the guidance and support needed to build sustainable, long-term career pathways. It will also make it possible to offer stipends, exam fee coverage, and other supportive resources that remove barriers to participation.

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

By contacting (718) 636-7596 Sidda Philip, Program Director ext 219 or Ivan Nichols, Job Developer at ext 215. Or via email at sphilip@bsdcorp.org or inichols@bsdcorp.org.

Website: www.bsdcorp.org
Instagram: @bsdcorp
Facebook: @bridgestreetdevelopment
LinkedIn: @bridgestreetdevelopment
Twitter/X: @bridgestreetdev