A great new partnership is bringing hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills to young people living on our Pleasantville campus. One participant, Izaiah Everette, even has the potential to become a computer programmer due to his success in the program!
JCCA has teamed up with MetaBronx, New York City’s leading startup accelerator for underrepresented founders of technology-based businesses, to bring these practical skills to our students. The participants go to the MetaBronx satellite location in Pleasantville 1-3 times a week and learn in a culturally-responsive environment. They work directly with startup entrepreneurs and industry mentors to learn skills required for high-paying 21st century jobs in the fields of software engineering, product development, project management, media content production, visual design, marketing and advertising, digital archiving and data management, and more.
This partnership comes at a time when there are clear barriers to high-paying employment for these young people. In 2019, despite some growth, only 25% of New York City youth with foster experience graduated high school in four years in comparison to 77% of all NYC students. This partnership will help them gain the skills needed for upward mobility.