Record Setting SYEP Enrollments

Castle Hill Houses 

For summer 2018, Castle Hill Houses reached the highest number of Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) applicants (439) and enrollments (345) for SYEP to date of all MAP sites. SYEP provides youth between the ages of 14 – 24 access to a six-week summer job where they gain the tools and experience needed to navigate the job market on their own and essential exposure to future career options and/or postsecondary education.

One of the many opportunities SYEP provided participants from Castle Hill and across MAP communities was working with older adults at senior centers and the NYC Department for the Aging’s (DFTA). DFTA worked with NYC Department for Youth and Community development (DYCD) to ensure the experience would be substantive and enriching for both the youth and elders involved. Youth even received certificates of achievement for participating in senior sensitivity training. Most youth were placed in different senior centers within NYCHA MAP sites throughout the five boroughs.

Evidence shows that summer jobs for youth can help decrease crime by decreasing the likelihood of individuals committing crime or being victimized during the workday, providing additional household financial support during the program, and helping youth build resumes needed to attain permanent future employment.

Kudos to the Castle Hill team for your hard work and commitment to ensuring MAP youth have summer jobs!