Our Programs
Our programs continually attract and retain young people who would not otherwise self-select into extracurricular activities. As a result of their involvement in CityKids, young people learn to improve their own educational status, become agents for social change, take action in community projects, and carry positive messages to their peers.
This year more than 800 young people participate in our free in and after school, summer and weekend programs. Additionally, our performances, workshops, and community service projects touch the lives of tens of thousands of additional young people each year.
Educational Support
College Preparation is a workshop series that guide high school students through all aspects of the college application process. Aided by volunteers from CityKids’ corporate and community partners, students learn to grapple with and succeed with: research; personal essays; self advocacy via scholarships and recommendations; financial aid; and decision making.
Work It Up: Job Readiness & Career Development Program gives youth the tools to gain their first employment or goal oriented internships. Volunteer corporate partners teach career development, such as: balancing work and school, resume and cover letter writing; interviewing skills; and professional etiquette.
Freshmen In Progress (FIP) is a comprehensive program designed for first year high school students who have been identified as at risk for failing one or more subjects. First piloted in 2009, CityKids staff helps these young people acquire the academic, communications, and social skills necessary for them to stay on track for promotion to the next grade. The initiative was so successful that we were awarded a $150,000 grant from the United Way to expand FIP into our other partner schools.
Artistic Development & Training
Rep is an innovative, audition driven program that teaches the skills necessary for the participants to mature into capable artists. Rep members transform their own thoughts and ideas into original, issue-based poetry, drama, music, song, and dance. Through an agreement with the NYC Department of Education, Rep puts on shows for middle school and high school students—including workshops on the subject matter of each performance—touching thousands of young people each year.
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New Works Lab (NWL) has sessions where young people create and hone new artistic skills and material. This year’s program focuses on choreography, where young collaborate and compete in a “battlegrounds” based on CityKids SafeSpace model of respect and positive communication.
Project X Through the discipline of writing, recording and performing songs; young people will begin to harness social skills in public speaking, become more inclined to participate in activities and multiple programs as well as gaining skills in singing and recording. The writing aspect will encourage a strong academic discipline. We’ll start to see young people become more expressive, become more engaged in conversation, able to share ideas, and create a more conducive environment for themselves and the people around them.
Leadership, Communication and Life Skills
Friday Nights Coalition is where young people speak their minds on personal and global issues that affect them. Youth-directed and youth-facilitated, Coalition participants learn to speak and listen with respect, mediate, brainstorm ideas, and move from ideas to action.
Women’s Empowerment Group (WEG) addresses core social issues impacting women on a personal and a global
scale during weekly, youth-facilitated workshops. The overall goal is to empower young women with the motivation and tools necessary to make a positive and lasting impact in their lives and their communities.
Community Service is where opportunities for young people to make a difference in their communities, develop civic awareness, and build their adult resource network, while fulfilling high school graduation requirements, strengthening college applications, and providing work experience.
CityKids-In-Action (CKIA) Community Service takes your leadership and communication skills one step further. High school sophomores and juniors who are part of Sophomores in Progress (SIP) and Juniors on the Rise (JR) will use all the tools that they have learned from Freshmen in Progress (FIP) to become a Community Service Committee Member, put ideas into action, and take ownership in planning CityKids-wide and FIP community service projects, events, and initiatives. It is the natural next step. This is an opportunity to earn more community service hours; participate in special events, projects, and outings as CK hosts, representatives, and ambassadors; practice peer facilitation training skills with selected CK programs; become mentors to current FIP participants; and become more effective leaders.
CityKids' Job Readiness Program is a career training program which includes individual case management, pre-employment training, resume and job search assistance and youth staff positions at CityKids.
Youth receive assistance in selecting appropriate positions to apply to; support throughout the interviewing process and, once employed, a minimum of six months of follow-up case management so that there is every chance to retain the new position and to excel in it. More than 25 young people participated in the initial workshop series, and the numbers have been increasing ever since.
For further information on CityKids' Job Readiness Program, please e-mail us
CORE PROGRAMS
Inside CityKids
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Word from our Executive Director...CityKids’ vision is being fulfilled in big ways..>>more |
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Celebrate CityKids’ achievements, empowerment and progress at our Spring Benefit this June!... >>more |
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CK's participants are candid about their experiences our ESS programs. Find out what they have to say. >>more |
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See what CK's students explores during the Extended Learning Time's Global History Archeology class. >>more |
CK Events |
JUNE
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