What is the YouthBridge-NY Fellowship?

Since 1997, YouthBridge-NY has served as the only non-profit organization in New York City training extraordinary teens from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds to master the skills they will need to be New York City's next generation of leaders. Through skill-building workshops, meetings with today's City leaders, community service activities, and spearheading diversity initiatives, YouthBridge-NY empowers Fellows to work hand-in-hand with other diverse teens to have a meaningful impact in their schools and communities.

 

How is the Fellowship organized?
The two-year Fellowship is broken up into two years, with a distinct curriculum each year:

 

First Year - "Fellows"
In the first year, Fellows attend monthly workshops on developing key leadership skills such as public speaking, networking, and team building. Fellows apply their newly acquired skills by working together on key issues through specialized committees. Projects include exploring diversity through photography; developing a request for proposal and awarding mini-grants; and participating in a corporate diversity seminars in preparation for a six-week summer internship at a corporation, organization, or political office.

 

Second Year - "Bridgers"
In the second year of the Fellowship, Bridgers are broken into groups to work on critical community issues. Bridgers will be paired with parent organizations over the course of the year and work on specialized projects addressing a community need. Every six weeks the groups convene to discuss their progress and learn from each other. In addition, Bridgers lead the Fellow's skill-building workshops.  

 

This year's parent organizations include: Community Voices Heard, Concrete Safaris, Global Nomads, and the Tenement Museum.

 

Is that all?
Absolutely not! Fellow and Bridgers also participate in:

- Roundtable meetings and discussions with major decision makers in New York City
- Field trips and tour of local organizations, corporations, and museums
- Internship opportunities
- Hands-on experiences with local community-based agencies
- Community service projects