Overview
Youth WINS is a collaborative of nonprofits, the local Chamber of Commerce, and a local college that focuses on meeting the career readiness needs of young adults through educational attainment, certification, and job placement.
The Challenge
In 2015, before Youth WINS was launched, nearly one in five young adults on Staten Island were out of school and out of work. The North Shore of the island—where almost half of all residents under 24 years old are located—had a higher rate of out-of-school, out-of-work young adults than all other boroughs except for the Bronx. Despite such great need, Staten Island was suffering from low levels of public and private investments in workforce services, a lack of viable public transportation, and a dearth of high-quality jobs. During this time:
18%
of Staten Island young adults were out of school or out of work
21%
of Staten Island residents lived in poverty
31,000
18- to 24-year-olds had some college credits but no degree
11,000
Residents Lacked a High School Diploma
Approach
Youth WINS is a collaborative partnership with a mission to ensure that all young adults on Staten Island are meaningfully employed in order to become financially secure and economically mobile.
The collaborative convenes community-based organizations to offer educational bridges, customized training, and wraparound support services to out-of-school, out-of-work young adults on Staten Island. Following the provision of these services, the organizations and the college then work with the Chamber of Commerce to help young adults secure jobs in high-demand industries and occupations. Youth WINS also focuses on sector-based employment strategies and has a robust advocacy plan to increase resources for workforce
initiatives on the island.
Impact
Since its launch in 2017, Youth WINS has connected young adults to education, in-demand credentials programs, college, and jobs.
Our Partners
Related Publications
A new collaboration between ten organizations called “Youth Wins” is looking to develop a strong young adult workforce on Staten Island.
Nearly one in five 18- to 24-year-olds on Staten Island are out of school and out of work. The North Shore of the island – where almost half all Staten Islanders under 24 years old reside – has a higher rate of out-of-school, out-of-work young adults (just over 24 percent) than does any other borough […]
