Partnerships that break down barriers and transform systems take a little bit of risk, a whole lot of passion, and a willingness to think outside the box.
At JobsFirstNYC, we rely on the transformative power of collaborative connections, for in unity, innovation blossoms — the kind of collective genius that fuels our mission alongside our partners. In this fusion of risk, passion, and collaboration, we find the key to unlocking the full potential of our shared endeavors, creating spaces where New York City’s young adults can thrive.
Listening Up to the Collective Brilliance of Young Adult Leaders
In November 2023, we hosted our second Partnership Forum of the Year, which built on the momentum of this summer’s Adapting the Future of Work convening. This forum, titled Listen up: The Power of Partnership, kicked off by “listening up” to young voices.
Winners from the 2023 My City, My Community Pitch Competition presented five extraordinary ideas to make New York City a better place for young adults and their communities.
Over 50 partners convened to learn from these young leaders (and each other) as they exchanged insights on improving partnership effectiveness, bolstering organizational capacity, and fostering belonging across programs and organizations.
Shining a Light on Partnership Development
Highlighting the true power of partnership, the Tech Sector Network delivered a presentation led by Debbie Roman, Managing Director at Per Scholas, and Diocelyn Batista Rijo, Director of Career Placement and Business Development at NPower NY, NJ.
Roman and Batista Rijo outlined how trust and transparency are creating a new way for some of NYC’s top tech workforce trainers to develop a “No Wrong Door” approach for New Yorkers to build skills in tech. The presenters shared how this approach fosters a sense of belonging for those interested in acquiring tech skills and ensures equitable access to tech career training.
A presentation from the Jerome Avenue Revitalization Collaborative (JARC), led by Kerry McLean, Vice President of Community Development, and Luna Mora, Intern of WHEDco, as well as John Frias, Minority Business Program Manager, and William Spivey, Intern, of Business Outreach Center Network, demonstrated how cross-sector partnerships and an emphasis on hiring local talent brought employers, educators, and community-based organizations together to launch the JARC Internship Program.
The JARC Internship Program represents an innovative initiative that allows JARC partners to create meaningful connections between Bronx Community College students and local businesses based on their fields of study. Over the Spring 2023 semester, 10 successful student-and-employer matches were completed. The JARC’s overarching goal is to harness the talent of young jobseekers in the area by securing them industry-relevant job experience while simultaneously providing much-needed capacity support to local small business owners free of charge. During the event, both employers and interns shared insights on how the values of belonging, meaning, well-being, and purpose played pivotal roles in the success of the inaugural cohort of internships for everyone involved.
Diving Deeper into Belong, Meaning, Wellbeing, and Purpose
The Forum culminated with a working session led by JobsFirstNYC staff Megan Marshall and Lilian Roth, which focused on the essential elements of belonging, meaning, well-being, and purpose (BMWP) and highlighted effective practices of JobsFirstNYC partners who cultivate these concepts in their practices and programs.
Roth and Marshall also outlined the work of key thought leaders who are paving the way and uplifting the significance of BMWP in practice and research. The presentation concluded with a reflective activity, prompting participants to consider how BMWP manifests in their organizations and explore limitations and levers for change. The call to combat hyperindividualism resonated, urging everyone to strive for BMWP and live it every day.
At JobsFirstNYC, we believe that when young adults can find belonging, meaning, well-being, purpose, and healing in the complex spaces they navigate—that’s the antidote. Concocting this antidote takes each and every one of us.
As john a. powell says, “Sometimes people talk about ‘We need to do things to connect.’ And on one hand, that’s right, but on the other hand, it understates what it is. We are connected. What we need to do is become aware of it, to live it, to express it.”
Looking Ahead
We are so grateful to all our partners who joined us, generously contributing their insights, experiences, and reflections. As always, we look forward to future Partnership Forums, where we will continue to Listen Up to one another, build solutions that foster collaboration, and accelerate impact for New York City and beyond.
