Reference Materials
World-of-Work After School Employment
Youth are interviewed and hired to work during after-school hours throughout the year. This program requires the youth’s participation in bi-weekly, youth development workshops. Youth are placed within churches, daycares and schools to tutor and mentor young children.
Youth Bureau Directory
Summer Youth Employment
Private Sector
Westchester – Putnam Workforce Investment Board (WIB) Private Sector Summer Employment Program – The Mount Vernon Youth Bureau extends Youth Employment Programs to youth ages 18-24 and include a customer friendly work readiness curriculum, interviews and placement. This program is a collaboration between the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau, the Westchester County Business Council and the New York State Department of Labor.
Summer TANF Program
Funding from the Westchester/ Putnam Local Workforce Investment Board and the Westchester County Department of Social Services allows youth, ages 14-18, to participate in paid work experiences throughout the summer. The Bureau focuses on green job initiatives, which allow participants to work within the Departments of Management Services, Public Works, Planning and Water Supply.
Counselors-in-Training (CIT)
The Mount Vernon Youth Bureau created the C.I.T. Program for youth ages 13-14. C.I.T’s are employed at the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau Safe Haven Summer Camp for six weeks. During the six weeks, C.I.T.s gain valuable insights to what it takes to become a responsible youth counselors.
Summer Entrepreneurship Academy
Through partnership with the Westchester Community College Foundation, the Westchester Community College Mount Vernon Extension Center and the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Inc., high school students are equipped with the knowledge, skills and abilities that are needed to develop a small business. This unique program introduced youth, ages 15-17, to the basic principles of planning and managing a business, while exposing them to the college environment. Youth participate in business competitions, educational field trips and motivational seminars. Participants have the opportunity to travel to various companies to meet with Company Executives.
Youth Empowerment Program
Youth, ages 14-21, to receive comprehensive basic job readiness and occupational skills training. Participants are provided with employment opportunities and community service projects throughout the summer. Some of the program participants reside at the Youth Shelter of Westchester, Inc., which is an alternative to incarceration program located within the city. This program has been financially supported by the Westchester County Board of legislators.
Career Center
The Career Center serves students at Mount Vernon High School. Youth are provided with the opportunity to receive information on Job Fairs and community/volunteer services and referrals including the Westchester County Rye Playland Job Fair. College and career workshops are offered through the Career Center. This program has been financially supported through the New York State Department of Health as a result of the Comprehensive Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (CAPP) Program.
WWDAY/S.T.E.M. Program
The WIA Westchester Workforce Development Academy for Youth (WWDAY) Programs provides High School Juniors and Seniors from the Mount Vernon City School District with a comprehensive program that enables youth to transition into adulthood and gain economic self sufficiency through:
- Academic Support
- College/Career Exploration
- Mentoring
- Leadership Opportunities
By focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) projects and curriculum we provide innovative opportunities that broaden the horizons of our youth.
10 WIA Elements
- Summer Employment
- Comprehensive Guidance Counseling
- Adult Mentoring
- Tutoring, Study Skills Training, & Drop-out Prevention
- Alternative Secondary School Services
- Paid & Unpaid work experiences
- Occupational Skills Training
- Leadership Development Opportunities
- Support Services
- Follow-up Services
This program is generously funded through a grant from the Westchester/Putnam Local Workforce Investment Board and the Westchester County Department of Social Services. This program is made possible through a collaborative effort through the City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau and the Mount Vernon City School District.
Safe Haven After School Program
For 16 years, the Safe Haven Program has provided children with positive youth development programming during after-school hours. The Safe Haven Program is a drop-in after-school program that offers academic and social support. The Future Society Association and mentors interact with the students through fun and exciting obstacle course games.
Safe Haven Summer Program
The Safe Haven Summer Camp was developed to provide a fun and safe recreation environment for students’ ages 6-12, during summer vacation, at a nominal fee. This program is made possible through the Westchester County Board of Legislators funding.
During the months of July and August, campers attend the Safe Haven Summer Camp where they are able to attend exciting field trips such as: Lake Compounce; Splish Splash; Mountain Creek; Great Escape; Regal Cinema at New Roc City;
Mount Vernon Intergenerational Program
Local senior residents volunteer to promote literacy and academic improvements in various elementary schools. Both the youth and seniors are also members of the Intergenerational Community Choir, which features the well known “rapping grannies.” The choir rehearses weekly with a music director to provide elementary students at Trapaghen Elementary School with music lesions and stage performance.
Mount Vernon S.T.R.O.N.G.
(Students Taking Responsibility and Ownership Now and Graduating)
The program is a collaboration between the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau, Mount Vernon City School District, the Guidance Center Inc. and WestHab Inc. This program is designed to provide structured educational assistance, creative enrichment opportunities and youth development activities to Mount Vernon High School students.
The NYS Department of Education, through the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant has funded this program to provide comprehensive services within the largest high school in the City of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon High School.
Credit Recovery is one of the greatest strengths of this program.
- Eleventh and twelfth grade students are provided the opportunity to recover credits in core subjects. The recovered credits also count towards promotion and graduation.
- Occupational skills training is offered through various academies such as the Nursing, Film, Cook and Automotive Academies.
V.I.C.T.O.R.Y.
V.I.C.T.O.R.Y (Volunteers Inspiring Change Through Opportunities Reaching Youth) was established to provide a venue for Mount Vernon’s youth to make a difference in the world by helping others. Volunteers have provided services in locations such as the Wartburg, Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen, and the Armory.
G.E.M. (Girls Embracing Maturity)
The Mount Vernon Youth Bureau in partnership with the Mount Vernon City School District and the Mount Vernon Police Department provide participants with a myriad of meaningful activities that were designed to reduce “girl fights” disrespectful language and confrontational behaviors towards each other and school personnel. The GEM Program features weekly workshops and field trips that are deisgned to empower young girls and promote academic excellence and social behavior.
GEM Career Academy was created in 2011 to provide a summer experience for girls who are too young to work and too mature for summer camp. The GEM Career Academy will allow 12 girls to learn a new career each day, particulalrly within the areas of Science, technology, Engineering and Math. Participants will attend weekly fun field trips and be paid a modest stipend.
Step Up!
The City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau Step Up! program addresses the needs of the city’s most at- risk African American and Hispanic male youth, ages 13 to 19 through mentoring, youth leadership, job readiness training and public speaking skills. The youth involved in this program are placed in after-school employment as an alternative to unsupervised time. In addition, youth are taken on educational field trips and other fun and cultural outings.
This program is generously funded by the Westchester County Board of Legislators and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and is made possible through a collaborative effort through the City of Mount Vernon, the City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau, the Mount Vernon Police Department, and the Mount Vernon City School District .
Mayor’s Youth Empowerment Council
The Mayor’s Youth Empowerment Council- (Y.E.C.) was established in 2008 to provide a platform for Mount Vernon’s youth to participate in city government and the community. The council is comprised of middle and high school students, ages of 12 to 18, who act as ‘Young Ambassadors’.
The council provides an opportunity for these young people to have their voices heard and become involved in the planning and implementation of projects that enhance the city. The YEC has partnered with various community organizations, which include, Parent Teacher Student Associations, My Sister’s Place, and Neighborhoods That Cares coalition.
Mayor’s Memorial Education Assistance Program
Applicants are selected to receive financial assistance for college. This initiative, which was formerly known as the Thomas E. Sharpe Assistance Program provides reimbursement to educational institutions for students who have successfully met all eligibility requirements and are enrolled in college full time.
Youth Board
The Mount Vernon Youth Board is currently comprised of 25 members, thirteen of which are youth who attend public and private schools. The members are Mount Vernon residents and are appointed by the Mayor. Board members volunteer their time to support the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau through advocacy and communications regarding the needs of the city’s youth.
The Board is advisory in that they meet once a month with the Executive Director to share their expertise in dealing with youth, personnel management and project development.
Mount Vernon Community That Cares
The Mount Vernon Communities that Cares (MVCTC) utilizes the Communities that Cares model which is a research based operating system that brings together all segments of a community in a coalition that works to promote positive youth development. MVCTC helps young people bond to a healthy individuals, institutions and communities so they are more likely to develop healthy behaviors.
MVCTC was established as a coalition in 2000 and are focused on the following risk factors:
- Low neighborhood attachment
- Poor academic performance
- Family conflict
- Gang involvement
The coalition includes many sectors of the community such the police department, schools, social services, parents, government, and faith-based community. We support summer activities, school based programs community education activities, parents forums and more. We have identified needs and brought resources into our community through resource fairs, school assemblies and town hall meetings.
Meetings are held every 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Mount Vernon Public Library.
The events, activities and work done by this coalition are made possible because of the support of the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau and the of City of Mount Vernon. This program is generously funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration through a Drug Free Community grant.
Comprehensive Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention
The Comprehensive Adolescent Pregnancy Program is a Community Based Initiative that integrates both Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Services (APPS) and Community Based Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (CBAPP) into a signal comprehensive community based adolescent sexual health initiative.
The purpose of the CAPP Community-Based initiative is to develop and expand primary prevention programs aimed at decreasing the incidence of adolescent pregnancy through the establishment of a comprehensive and coordinated approach to reduce the risk of initial and repeat pregnancies, STDs and HIV/AIDS rates among New York State adolescents. Further, the initiative will more effectively address issues associated with adolescent parenting and the racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities that are related to adolescent sexual health outcomes.
The specific goals of the CAPP community-based initiative and local CAPP projects are to:
- Promote healthy sexual behaviors and reduce the practice of risky sexual behaviors among adolescents, using Evidence Based Curriculums;
- Ensure access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare and family planning services for adolescents;
- Expand opportunities and provide support and alternatives to sexual activity for adolescents, including pregnant and parenting teens, in order to promote an optimal transition through adolescent developmental milestones into a healthy young adulthood;
- Advance a comprehensive and sustainable local community effort to improve the community environment for adolescents through the development of a coordinated community plan.
Useful Links
THE ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY-BASED ARTISTS OF WESTCHESTER was founded in 1976 by Mount Vernon artists.
We are young people from all over New York State who are working to improve the health and wellness of ourselves and the communities we live in!
ARCS’ mission is to foster prevention and reduce the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and to ensure access, equity and justice for people who are affected by HIV in order to maximize their quality of life.
The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon is to help all youth; especially those from high-risk neighborhoods make the most of their lives.
Since 1992 Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) has been training local grassroots groups, known as community anti-drug coalitions, in effective community problem-solving strategies.
Since 1954, Family Services of Westchester has been dedicated to strengthening and supporting families and individuals at every stage of the life cycle with a broad range of social and mental health services.
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
A six week program during the summer, where youth will be equipped with career and small business exploration; basic accounting, marketing and presentation skills; postive work ethics and behaviors; and exposure to daily business operations.
The Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center (MVNHC) is concerned with the health and well-being of everyone in southern Westchester County and neighboring communities.
For more than 34 years, My Sisters' Place (MSP) has worked to end violence in intimate relationships and combat the effects of domestic violence and human trafficking on survivors and children throughout Westchester County.
Planned Parenthood is America’s most trusted provider of reproductive health care.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.
The mission of Student Advocacy is to get students on track to graduate by advocating improved educational opportunities, protecting educational rights and fostering effective communication between families and schools.
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement.
The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated to provide a program for community organizations that offers effective character, citizenship, and personal fitness training for youth.
The Volunteer Center works with over 500 nonprofits in the community and refers over 18,000 people to service each year.
Westchester County, with a population nearing one million residents, is the 450-square-mile county north of New York City.
Westchester Community Opportunity Program, Inc. (WestCOP) is a private not-for-profit, multipurpose social service agency operating community programs to combat poverty and its adverse effects in Westchester and Putnam counties.
Westhab is the largest nonprofit provider of affordable housing and supportive services in Westchester County, NY.
Westchester Jewish Community Services is a leader in mental health, home health care, developmental disabilities and human services since 1943, serving all people who live or work in Westchester.
Together we will make a difference by nurturing the potential of the Children and Teens in our Community