Investing in Our Youth, and Our Community
A Call to Employers and Camps to Hire Through SYEP This Summer
Ari Baum, CFP®
Every summer, our community has a powerful opportunity to shape the next generation, not only through education and values, but through meaningful work experience. The NYC Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is back, offering employers, camps, and organizations a simple and impactful way to hire community youth this summer, while strengthening your own operations.
As Treasurer of COJO Flatbush and a volunteer Career Coach with SBH, I see firsthand how transformative early work experience can be. A summer job is often a young person’s first exposure to responsibility, accountability, teamwork, and earning their own paycheck. It builds confidence, practical skills, and a pipeline of capable, motivated young adults who are better prepared for college, careers, and leadership within our community.
What Is SYEP?
SYEP is New York City’s largest youth employment initiative, serving people ages 14-24. Participants are placed in structured, paid summer work opportunities for up to six weeks, with wages fully covered by the program.
• Ages 16-24. Up to 25 hours per week, earning up to $2,550
• Ages 14-15. Project-based learning and work experiences, earning up to $700
Applying does not guarantee selection. Participants are chosen through the SYEP lottery, with placement determined through COJO Flatbush and employer matching, making community employer participation essential.
Who Can Sign Up as an Employer?
SYEP is flexible and employer friendly. We strongly encourage participation from small businesses and professional offices, nonprofits and community organizations, and day camps, overnight camps, and specialty camps.
Employers provide in-person, supervised work experiences that allow young professionals to gain real-world skills while contributing meaningfully to daily operations.
Additional Career Readiness Support (Separate from SYEP)
Independent of SYEP, the SBH Career Division supports young adults ages 18 and over through career readiness programming, mentoring, coaching, and job and internship placement. SBH works closely with young professionals to develop essential workplace skills, including professionalism and workplace expectations, as well as résumé development and interview preparation.
I volunteer as a Career Coach with SBH, working one-on-one with young professionals as they prepare to enter and succeed in the workforce. COJO Flatbush and SBH are entirely separate organizations, and SBH does not manage SYEP placements or employer matching.
Learn more about SBH Career Services:
https://www.sbhcareer.org/about-us/services/
Employer Sign-Up Is Simple
Employers register directly through the official NYC SYEP Worksite Portal:
https://worksiteportal.nycsyep.com/
Once registered and approved, employers have complete discretion over whom they choose to hire. There are no restrictions on selection. Employers interview candidates, may choose applicants they already know, and control role descriptions, schedules, and responsibilities, within SYEP guidelines. This flexibility allows camps and businesses to confidently bring on students they trust and believe will be a good fit.
Why Hire Through SYEP?
Hiring through SYEP is not charity. It is a strategic investment of time and mentorship, with wages fully paid by the program.
- No wage cost to the employer
- Flexible placements tailored to your real needs
- Motivated students bring energy, tech fluency, and fresh perspective
- Meaningful community impact that strengthens our shared ecosystem
Students can assist with office administration and scheduling, communications and social media, data entry and organization, educational and program support, and camp operations and logistics.
For Camps and Community Organizations
Camps can place students as counselors, CITs, office support, logistics staff, programming assistants, or within specialty departments. Community organizations can engage youth for administrative work, preparation, or outreach. Just as important, this is a chance to model workplace values, including punctuality, professionalism, responsibility, and pride in one’s work.
A Community-Wide Effort
Important Deadline: February 27
Applicants must apply through https://application.nycsyep.com/ and select “Council of Jewish Organizations of Flatbush” as their referring organization. COJO Flatbush serves as the primary community coordinator for placements. To be eligible for consideration, applications must be submitted no later than February 27. When employers step forward, applicants win, and so does the community.
A Personal Note
Our community thrives when we think long-term. Hiring one adolescent for the summer may seem like a small step, but its ripple effects are lasting. I encourage every business owner, camp director, and organizational leader to ask if they can bring on one more young professional this summer. If the answer is yes, even in a limited capacity, you are making a meaningful difference. Our youth are ready to work. Let’s give them the opportunity.
For guidance or coordination, please reach out to COJO Flatbush, and register today at: https://application.nycsyep.com/
