Philadelphia Youth Network, Inc.

PYN's Spring Newsletter is here! Dive in for the latest news and announcements including new career development initiatives, exciting programs, partnerships, summer opportunities, and more.

Huge thank you to all our partners who are making this work possible - together we are forging brighter futures, creating pathways to success, and helping our youth spring forward into a future filled with promise.

Click the link in our bio or visit www.pyninc.org/springnewsletter

🚨 LAST CHANCE ALERT! This is your final opportunity to apply for a PAID summer career exposure experience with the Philadelphia Youth Network - Don't miss out on these amazing opportunities!

Greener Partners - Learn more about agriculture, urban farming, food sovereignty, sustainability, cooking and nutrition while also building skills around problem solving, teamwork, and work ethic.

The Way Club - participate in hands-on experiences designed to expose youth the entrepreneurship and starting your own business!

MET Philadelphia - participate in experiential learning opportunities and job training in STEM, healthcare, and administrative fields. Gain essential skills and connections for future success.

🗓️ The deadline to apply is June 7th 🗓️

👉 Visit pyninc.org/opportunity-locator to apply now!

PLUS, explore even more opportunities through the City of Philadelphia's new C2L-PHL program. These applications also close on June 7th, so hurry!

Visit https://www.phila.gov/c2l-phl to learn more and apply

Looking for paid career development experiences this summer? PYN's 2024 Summer Opportunity Locator is now live!!

As a partner within the city's new C2L-PHL Summer Youth Employment System, together with private partners across the city, PYN is offering 400+ paid career development opportunities this Summer - applications are open!

Visit us online at https://www.pyninc.org/opportunity-locator to learn more and get involved!

Dont forget to explore all the opportunities the city has to offer through C2L-PHL at www.phila.gov/c2lphl

is officially here! As of this year, the city of Philadelphia is coordinating all applications for the city’s Summer Youth Employment Program under the new name, Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL).

Applications are now open! Visit www.phila.gov/C2L-PHL and apply today!!!

PYN is a proud C2L PHL partner - together with more than 60 non-profit providers across Philadelphia, this new program will bring 8,000 paying jobs to young Philadelphians between 12 and 24.
Standby for more job spotlights and opportunities coming soon!

Opportunity Alert! PYN is partnering with Responsible Business Initiative for Justice for a virtual employment mixer, tomorrow, March 8th from 5:30 - 6:30 PM!

Register at the link and join us for an info session on applying for youth career opportunities with Walmart and Sam's Club! (tinyurl.com/4xzjvvc3)

This Employment Mixer is hosted by Unlock Potential, a program from the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice that connects opportunity youth to meaningful employment opportunities. Learn more at: unlock-potential.org

Calling local Philadelphia businesses! 📢 PYN is seeking 100 host sites for year-round internship and job opportunities through its various career readiness and development programs. We want to hear from you!

Fill out an interest form and learn more at - www.bit.ly/pyn-partner

Become a year-round youth worksite and provide young people with immersive, hands-on experiences in your industry. From construction to finance, hospitality to tech – whatever your field, there's an opportunity to make a difference.

By offering mentorship, skill development, and exposure to real-world projects, you'll help shape future leaders. Join us today in building a stronger, more vibrant community!

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This weekend, PYN stopped by the Youth Jobs and Networking Fair hosted by Rep. Amen Brown in West Philadelphia - so inspiring to see so many young people showing up to take the first step in their career journey! Stay tuned for details on new career connected learning opportunities soon!

Did you know that your 2023 WorkReady summer experience qualifies you for credits towards your high school graduation through Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Act 158? This week, we sent out personalized letters via email to all high school age students who completed at least 85% of their incentive or wage based WorkReady program this summer. Be sure to check your email for more details on how to take advantage of this opportunity!

As of 2023, students enrolled in a School District of Philadelphia secondary school have the option to demonstrate postsecondary preparedness by completing additional work-based learning activities, in addition to other requirements, designed to foster postsecondary preparedness.

Read more about Act 158 pathways to graduation here - https://bit.ly/48qGrHU

Recently, the city's workforce development board, released a report listing high priority occupations in Philadelphia county. Take a look at what they reported as some of the most in-demand career fields.

Are there any here that surprise you? Is there an occupation that you thought would be higher? Let us know in the comments.

Stay tuned over the next few months as we dive into more high value occupations and the career pathways that can lead you there! To read the full report visit - https://bit.ly/3TlFMmM

- The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the number of available jobs in the Cosmetology sector grew by more than 8% in 2023? That's 5% more than the average growth rate.

What career sectors do you think will see the most growth in 2024?

We're always looking for innovative ways to work with our partners to expand pre-apprenticeship programs and exposure into skilled career pathways! Do you know someone who wants to get involved? Visit our website or shoot us a DM.

LISTEN - "A win-win with maximum benefits."

KYW's Community Impact Reporter, Racquel Williams joined PYN President + CEO, Wendy-Anne Roberts-Johnson for a conversation about the impact of youth employment programs and the need for more local business engagement when it comes to investing in Philadelphia's future workforce.

Listen to the full story here -

Philadelphia Youth Network helps provide area youth with job opportunities - KYW Newsradio Audio On-Demand The Philadelphia Youth Network connects young adults to employment opportunities year-round. Community Impact Reporter Racquel Williams tells us more. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

This summer, the Philadelphia Youth Network's WorkReady Program empowered more than 7,500 young individuals to explore and engage with career connected learning opportunities. At the end of their experience, we asked youth to share some insights about what they learned. Take a look here at some of our key findings including the program's impact on career exploration and clarity, skills development and exposure to meaningful adult mentorship.

Check out the complete list at the link in our bio!

This , let's come together to make a lasting impact on the future of our city's youth! 💼 📚💡 More than just providing a runway to future careers, donating to support career connected learning and out-of-school time programs is a smart investment.

Did you know? For every dollar spent on out-of-school time programs, Pennsylvania sees a $6.69 return on investment in future tax revenue , education, and crime savings! 🤯💰 

We hope you'll consider joining us in continuing the Philadelphia Youth Network's mission to provide career connected learning opportunities for our youth. 🚀 Your gift, no matter the amount, will contribute to ensuring that our city's youth are equipped and prepared for future success! 

Read more and find out how you can get involved at the link in our bio - www.pyninc.org/donate.  

Let's create a brighter and more empowered future together!

More than just providing an opportunity for youth to explore new career paths, career connected learning opportunities provide critical safe spaces for youth to explore new skills, gain confidence, and be exposed to mentors that can last a life time.

More results from the youth survey! We asked participants, "What did you value most about your career connected learning experience?"

What do you think about the top responses? Let us know in the comments.

- Last week, PYN CEO Wendy-Anne Roberts-Johnson joined Philadelphia's PHLKidsCampaign to unveil the Kids' Campaign Platform - an agenda for the 100th mayor to make our city safer for kids.

"Let's invest in our young people and build a city we can all be proud of for years to come" said Wendy-Anne while speaking on the need to invest in safe schools, after-school programming, and career opportunities.

Read more from WHYY here - https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-mayor-election-kids-campaign-young-voters/

PYN is proud to join organizations around the country celebrating today! Joins us as we shine a light on the impact afterschool programs are making – inspiring learning and helping youth realize their full potential.

Our favorite OST Stat - for every $1 invested in afterschool and out-of-school time programs, produces a return on investment of approximately $6.69 in potential benefits including reducing high school dropout rates, teen pregnancy rates, substance use disorder, crime, and delinquency.

Special thanks to everyone who has contributed to our letter writing campaign! Don't forget - you can still join us by writing a statement on the value of OST programs! Click here - https://forms.gle/ChkKAcKqScbWAZns8

is right around the corner! Join us as we celebrate all our city wide partners who are working to provide critical out-of-school time and afterschool opportunities to our city's young people!

Show your support for afterschool programs and light up the timeline on October 26 by taking the . Strike a pose with your students, friends, or team members and snap a pic to share on social media or encourage students to craft their own lightbulb designs! 💡

PYN's Fall newsletter is here - take a look! Don't miss our Q+A conversations with WorkReady youth, Natalie Sanchez and Jahkai Moses. Big thank you to both these amazing young people for taking the time to sit down with us to talk career readiness and share their experiences with us.

Check it out here: https://conta.cc/3s1zI7u

More results from our end of summer survey! These numbers represent the percentage of youth who responded either "Agree" or "Strongly Agree" to the questions listed. Thank you to all our partners, supporters, and of course, the amazing youth participants who make WorkReady a success. 🤝

Stay tuned for more results soon!

Results are pouring in from our end of summer survey - take a look at the first batch of some of our favorite quotes! What professional skills have you learned this year? Let us know in the comments - and stay tuned for more youth survey results all week long. 💼💼💼💼💼

- PYN's CEO + Board Chair are named to City & State Labor Power 100!

While Wendy-Anne Roberts-Johnson has CEO at PYN for less than a year, her work in youth education and workforce development goes back decades. So while it's no surprise, it’s incredibly exciting to announce both Wendy-Anne and PYN's Board Chair, Debra Friedman, are on this year’s City & State Pennsylvania Labor Power 100 list! They are ranked together at #71 out of 100 top labor leaders throughout the commonwealth. Their ranking highlights the importance of workforce development in our economy!

PYN is constantly evolving to better meet the needs of Philadelphia’s youth and prepare them for meaningful careers by expanding education opportunities and forming new partnerships. Congrats Wendy-Anne and Debra!

Read the full list here - https://www.cityandstatepa.com/power-lists/2023/09/2023-labor-power-100/390464/

📸📸Hey Philly - we want to see what you've been up to! Send us a DM or mention us in your snapshots from your summer WorkReady job or favorite after-school pastime!! Stay tuned to our channels over the next few weeks as we share some of our favorite moments from another action packed year of programs at PYN.

Join us in congratulating Christian Holland for being appointed as PYN's Vice President of Programs! Christian has been an important figure representing Out-of-School Time services and serves on various health and education boards throughout PA. We look forward to his guidance!

Join us in congratulating Jessica Kennedy for being appointed as PYN's Vice President of Finance! She brings 10+ years of youth nonprofit experience and previously served as PYN's controller before being promoted to her new office. We look forward to her leadership!

If you are a WorkReady Participant, ask the questions below to make sure you are eligible for payment!!!
1.) Did I upload all my vital documents/forms to my application?
2.) Have I completed all my onboarding documents?
3.) Did I submit my timesheet to my supervisor on time?
If you have any additional questions, please contact your provider for more information.
Click here to login to your account: https://shorturl.at/optMX

If you've uploaded all your vital docs & you're connected to a provider, make sure to check your account for an onboarding checklist!! THESE ARE DIFFERENT FROM VITAL DOCUMENTS AND ARE COMPLETED AFTER YOUR VITAL DOCS ARE VERIFIED.

Onboarding docs include tax forms, emergency contact info, etc.

Click here to login to your account: https://shorturl.at/optMX

If you have any questions, contact your provider or the WorkReady Hotline (267.502.3900).

ATTENTION WorkReady Participants: you need to have all of your vital documents in your CHR profile in order to get paid!!

Visit workready.org or click to login to your account: https://shorturl.at/optMX

If you have any questions, contact your provider or the WorkReady Hotline (267.502.3900).

Due to server maintenance, workready.org is currently down. We're working on getting the website restored as quickly as possible. Thanks for your patience and understanding!

In the meantime, if you need to access your WorkReady account, visit this link: https://shorturl.at/hivBT