SYEP

Summer Youth Employment Program

HBP’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is a high quality, structured, short-term life skills and work readiness program for D.C. youth between the ages of 14 and 17. SYEP is conducted is a full-day program for six weeks during the summer at HBP’s facilities.

SYEP with Young Money Managers

Many D.C. teenagers, particularly those who live in the District’s poorest neighborhoods, aren’t aware of their personal potential or the opportunities that are available to them. Further, many youth in our target areas do not have adequate health information. HBP presents a positive vision for these youth – a vision of a future-filled life.

SYEP equips this unique segment of youth with life skills needed to make wise choices and developmentally-appropriate employment and career exploration opportunities.  The program addresses the youth’s health and wellness with life skills that ensure they are physically, financially, emotionally, and parentally secure as possible as they work toward improving their performance outcomes, launch into their adult roles, and enter the workforce to live independently. SYEP covers:

  • healthy life skills
  • teen pregnancy and STD prevention
  • career exploration
  • job readiness

Who is a part of SYEP?

Participants: Youth are referred from D.C. Public Schools or our social service partners. Participants must obtain parental consent to participate. All participants who complete the program will receive a monetary incentive.

Facilitators: SYEP is facilitated by 2 HBP staff and 2 near-peers recruited from HBP graduates who will mentor participants.

Guest Speakers: HBP invites local professionals and community leaders to present workshops in their career fields. Past speakers have included professionals in film production, marketing, sports management, retail, fitness, education, healthcare services, financial services, web and internet services, and more.

SYEP Program

Programming is structured in two phases. During Phase 1 (three weeks), youth meet according to gender.  Young ladies enroll in SiHLE (the evidence-based health curriculum for urban girls) while young men enroll in FEED (Fatherhood Education Empowerment Development Program, HBP’s parenting and life skills program for young men).

During Phase 2 (three weeks), youth combine for career exploration activities, where they are introduced to a variety of career options and are equipped with practical tools they need to enter the workplace. Youth create their resumes under the guidance of counselors. They take mock job interviews, participate in Q & A sessions with local professionals in a variety of career fields, and tour local college/trade school campuses.

HBP collaborates with 15-20 partners who provide referrals, speakers, and workshop services for the program.

Learn more about HBP’s Summer Youth Employment Program at 202.396.2809.