Winter 2020

A busy beginning...

We have started off the programming year with a bang! Beginning with our orientation retreat in August we welcomed new eleventh grade fellows into the Fellowship and twelfth grade Bridgers into their second year.  Fellows and Bridgers have been busy attending skill-building sessions, committee meetings, hearing from our alumni, and joining together for team building and bonding activities.  Read more below and check out some photo highlights of the year so far!

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I found myself excited at the thought of my next two years with YouthBridge!

By Asha Lawrence

As the long, hot summer of 2019 was drawing to an end, there was one final thing to look forward to before I had to start thinking about school and the stresses of junior year - the overnight YouthBridge retreat. Having met a couple of the other fellows at the Popsicles in the Park event, I wasn’t going without knowing anyone, but I was definitely still nervous about what people would think of me and what the retreat had in store for us. However, these nerves were soon quelled when I arrived at the meeting spot and was met by smiling, friendly faces.
We kicked off the retreat with some awesome ice breakers and soon enough we were all laughing and engaged. A lot of the things I was initially worried about, such as learning names or making friends, seemed much less scary and I found myself excited at the thought of my next two years with YouthBridge. As someone who has only lived in New York for five years, it has been hard making friends outside of school but over the retreat, I was able to get to know some awesome teens, passionate about leadership and social justice just like me. A highlight of the trip for me was the bonfire where we all shared an object we felt was important to us - it was a great way to connect on a more personal level (and the smores were delicious!). We also had workshops on racism and discrimination in which we delved deeper into our unconscious biases and discussed our experiences in our schools and communities.
The retreat was a fantastic experience and made me ten times more excited to be a part of YouthBridge. Since then, I have got even closer to the other fellows and I am learning a lot in the Cultural Eye Committee.

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Spotlight on...

Cultural eye

By Ilana Drake

Above is one of Ilana’s photos from her Cultural Eye collection!

Upon being accepted into the Cultural Eye group, I had thought we would simply look at photographs, discuss their significance, and, perhaps, connect these photos to the modern world. However, throughout the past four meetings, our group has bonded over potato chips and cups of water, while we discuss so much more than just the photos. We have learned a great deal about each other and our different communities that are all situated within the same city. Although our city prides itself on being a diverse melting pot, we have begun to realize that diversity does not necessarily mean desegregated or inclusive.

Viewing photographs and discussing them as a group has enabled us to practice our public speaking and have meaningful conversations based on particular details in a photo. Each of us has opened up about our challenges and hardships through our session ice breaker (at 5:05 pm), and this has highlighted our similarities, even if we attend different high schools and live in different neighborhoods that may only be separated by a single block. 

One of our first tasks this fall was to depict our daily lives through a series of five photographs. We then were able to present these photos and provide a detailed explanation of the photos to the rest of the group. We certainly had a lot of laughs and giggles during that meeting as we all heard each other’s stories and began to establish our own community. Another assignment was to depict our families through photographs. We learned more about each other’s culture and home lives through this assignment, and some of us took videos, which enabled us to glimpse into that person’s life in more detail and depth.

In our last meeting, our assignment was to illustrate how our communities can overlap. New York City neighborhoods may dramatically differ simply by one city block, as being on one side (or the other side) of a given street or block may have dramatic implications with regard to being associated with a given neighborhood. While we are all separated by zip code, address, and school, we all come together when we gather at West 34th Street. When we take the subway or bus to and from school, we are crossing paths with others, who may be on their way to an unfamiliar destination that could be made more familiar with an ice breaker and a photo. 

We have grown as a group and, during our last meeting, we had a long, authentic conversation about how our particular cultures are portrayed in the media. We discussed the pros and cons to social media, and we watched a video on how the Internet has changed us in ways we might not have anticipated.

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Having to talk about these things in such an unguarded fashion lowered some walls

By Viyan Poonamallee

When I walked into the main space for Project Reach for the second time of the year, on the fourth floor of the what is quite possibly the shadiest building in Chinatown, I can’t say I was expecting much. The place had atmosphere, sure. The dimly lit hallway leading into a rickety graffiti smacked elevator that sounded like a microwave when it moved made it seem like we were entering a safehouse for the mob. This made for quite the ambiance and was—to put it with eloquence—totally rad, but my previous experience with the actual activity wasn’t anything special. As per routine, we did the usual light intermingling and team building exercises relating to some skills regarding either friendship or networking. 

Honestly, it wasn’t anything particularly different compared to the other skill building workshops that we had at the YouthBridge office, so when we went back to Project Reach, I was expecting more of the same. However, that’s not what I got. For the first time, the session had a sense of intimacy. Rather than some TedTalk styled group work about career building, the topic was mainly on issues of homosexuality, and we had to speak about it on a very personal level.

Throughout the talk, we reflected on our own sexualities, our thoughts on bigotry against the LGBTQ community, and how those topics affected us in our own lives. Having to talk about these things in such an unguarded fashion lowered some walls that made our interactions somewhat duller before. For other sessions, the majority of YouthBridge members serve as coworkers at best—people that interact purely by a circumstantial assignment but for which who would never connect with each other. But for once, I felt like I understood my peers at the fellowship program at a deeper level. There was a degree of truly endearing honesty in the collective apprehension and eventual addressment of the topic, without the screen of social posturing segregating every interaction. That earnestness isn’t something I get to see very often from this group, but I hope to see more of it in the future.

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Winter Retreat at Escape the Room NYC

On Sunday, January 26, YouthBridge-NY teens enjoyed a day of mysteries and puzzles at Escape the Room NYC! Everyone braved the winter weather to enjoy a Sunday afternoon of bonding. Fellows and Bridgers put their brains together to solve each problem to figure out how to escape the room. It was so fun to see everyone working together to win and make it through the rooms! We definitely could not have done it without each other! Check out some photos below:

Spring 2019

Special feature

Graduation

Below are some reflections from our graduated Bridgers about their time in the Fellowship. We want to wish a hearty congratulations to all of our graduated Seniors, it has been a pleasure knowing each and every one of you, and we cannot wait to see all that you accomplish!

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What Makes Us Different is Nothing to be Ashamed Of

By Chelsea Cheung and Jessica Gruboy

Jessica Gruboy and Chelsea Cheung are both graduating seniors at Stuyvesant High School.

We both go to Stuyvesant high school and became fellows in the program two years ago. Amidst the chaos of entering our junior years of high school, we were also entering an unfamiliar program. Soon, though, it became something that was to be looked forward to every month.

I [Jessica] was in the Engaging Workplace Diversity committee. I worked with my partner, Ashten, to make a business plan and proposal in front of a boardroom of business people who I wanted so deeply to impress. Through the committee I was able to work at a law firm for six weeks and gain a sense of direction as to what I want my career to look like.

I [Chelsea] took part in the Shared Resources for a Shared Future Committee. Our goal was to advertise a grant of $2000 to nonprofit organizations whose cause either centered on hunger, education, or the environment. In the process, we learned valuable skills such as coming to a consensus, advertising, and how to truly listen to one another. At the end of several months, we ended up choosing Radical Living, a nonprofit whose mission it was to cultivate a vegetable garden to aid in solving the issue of BedStuy being a food desert.

In a world that is becoming increasingly diverse, YouthBridge is playing an integral role in educating us on how to not only be global citizens but leaders. YouthBridge has shown us how important it is to have conversations with people all across the spectrum and those who on the margins. Additionally, this program has also served in helping us navigating and understanding the complexities of our own identity, and how that what makes us different is nothing to be ashamed of, but to be treated as an asset.

YouthBridge-NY has also become a family to me. It has become almost like a respite in the craziness and business of our academic lives, where we are able to meet with other peers all across NYC, amazing, compassionate people we wouldn’t have met otherwise. I have no doubt that our paths will cross again.

All in all, YouthBridge-NY was an incredible experience that has done us a ton of good and has provided us with memories that will never be forgotten.

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The Perfect Vehicle for Me to Realize My Altruistic Goals

By Ali Harb

Ali Harb is a graduating senior at Razi School.

I'll be honest with everyone, when I signed up for YouthBridge-NY, I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. While in high school, my older brother had gone to an inspiring Youth Summit. He was ecstatic when he got home. The first words that came out of his mouth were “bro swing your laptop, you gotta sign up for this.”

He, being my mentor, I didn't bother to question him. I knew he had my best interest at heart. After looking at the website, I knew I had to join. Leadership, creating an atmosphere of respect, and improving the quality of ALL lives are topics that caught my attention. However, I was still unclear about how we would go about these major issues. I was confused about experimental learning and workshops.  Even though, I knew this was a place I belonged.

So, I went ahead and applied, and what a great decision that was. It's hard to describe what YouthBridge-NY is because it does so much. The only way to truly know is by being a part of it, part of the family.

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My True Potential

By Jocelyn Tang

Jocelyn Tang is a graduating senior at Stuyvesant High School.

At last year’s Night of Celebration, I gave a brief speech with Jessica, watched the Bridgers give their speeches, and wondered if I could muster the courage to give my own speech when I graduated. Well, here I am. I’m at a point where public speaking is still a bit nervewracking, but I don’t let those nerves get the best of me.

YouthBridge-NY has helped me realize my true potential. It’s taught me what it means to speak up, even if I’m not always comfortable or confident. It’s allowed me to recognize the power of my voice, whether it’s through sharing an opinion or promoting advocacy.

Throughout YouthBridge-NY, I’ve been challenged to consider issues from new perspectives. I’ve met a group of open-minded and welcoming people. I’ve made great memories from our monthly workshops, overnight retreats, and office visits. YouthBridge has helped shaped me to be the person I am today, and I am forever grateful for everything I have learned.

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Guidance in a Fast Paced and Rigorous City

By Alif Matin

Alif Matin is a graduating senior at The Bronx High School of Science .

My name is Alif Matin, and though I was never a timid guy, I definitely started out YouthBridge-NY as a young boy scared of the world. I was only a sophomore at the Bronx High School of Science when my cousin Akif, who is also a Bridger graduating with me today, and I discovered YouthBridge online.

We were both skeptical as our typical high school schedule consisted of hanging out with friends after school. However, we applied, got through our interviews, and soon we were on our way to an overnight retreat with 35 other Fellows and Bridgers. I did not know what to make of it, and honestly I was not expecting much more besides cliche lectures and activities.

But quickly I saw something different, I saw as a Fellow, that there was great diversity among the Bridgers. We began the retreat with activities and games that not only brought us closer, but engaged in fruitful conversations relevant to our society regarding stigmas, the power of generosity, and friendship. The retreat was the start of something beautiful.

From there on, our first year workshops gave us young students guidance in a really fast paced and rigorous city. We were taught to network, to build resumes, and to respect our school janitors the same way we respect our Principals and our parents. We were given the freedom to explore and ask meaningful questions, and soon our YouthBridge center became a safe haven for aspiring teenagers transitioning into early adulthood.

I noticed that my involvement in the program correlated to my increased confidence in school. Sophomore year I ran for a position on the school board, but dropped out. After a year in YouthBridge-NY, I was able to run again for a position and became the Vice President elect at Bronx Science. I knew the lessons learned here would carry through the rest of my academic and professional career, and the people I met at this program taught me how beautiful our city could become with the right education and mentality.    

The mentality that when you bring in students of different backgrounds, ethnicity, race, and personality, and encourage them that embracing this DIVERSITY will breed stronger character and a more fruitful perspective. YouthBridge became a home for me, and I am grateful to have been a part of this program. I am thankful for my peers graduating with me today, who made this journey remarkable and every workshop a great time.

our graduates:

Max Kaneff
Samuel Kim
Alexander Liu
Alif Matin
Harold Miller
Elliott Ottensoser
Oscar Rachmansky
Akif Rahman
Ashten Rodriguez
Jocelyn Tang
Rachel Weiss

Zoe Bernstein
Chelsea Cheung
Tess Futterman
Aura Glazer
Rachel Gorman-Cooper
Cameron Greene
Jessica Gruboy
Ali Harb
Nia Howard Fenton
Kelli Hu
Rachel Jacob
Abigail Jacob

 

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To see more of these photos and pictures of our graduation, click here.

Winter 2019

A busy beginning...

We have started off the programming year with a bang! Beginning with our orientation retreat in August we welcomed new eleventh grade fellows into the Fellowship and twelfth grade Bridgers into their second year.  Fellows and Bridgers have been busy attending skill-building sessions, committee meetings, hearing from our alumni, and joining together for team building and bonding activities.  Read more below and check out some photo highlights of the year so far!

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Spotlight on....

Cultural eye

By Victoria Andre

Victoria is a Junior at Midwood High School

When I applied for the Cultural Eye Committee I thought it would simply be a photography class. However, it is so much more than that. It isn’t just about a group of people taking pictures. With each monthly session I have been able to truly learn the art of photography while also learning the correlation to important issues like culture, identity, diversity etc.

In my opinion, the discussion we had about diversity had the most impact on me. During that conversation we discussed how New York City consists of people of all different walks of life, races, religions etc.. Yet at the same time we felt/discussed how New York is still very segregated, especially in high school. We discussed how everyone is not equally represented in New York City high schools. As well as how some of us have been around the same people for most of our high school journeys. We all really enjoyed that conversation because it was a reminder as to why most of us wanted to be a part of Youthbridge-NY. We each wanted a getaway from school where we could be a part of a diverse group of people to learn, grow and possibly gain future friendships.

However, aside from conversations, one thing that makes the committee really special is the work we do outside of the Youthbridge office. The take home assignments we do vary depending on the objective behind the photos we take. The best part is when we post them on the Flickr app and present it during our monthly meeting. It’s very therapeutic and emotional for some of us when we present and have discussions because some of the photos we take have a lot of emotion behind them. However, everyone is very understanding and we are able to receive mutual feedback that will help each of us grow as photographers. I’ve had quite a lot of fun being able to take the pictures that I take. I also take pride in them because they are a reflection of me. Some of them also tell a story and I find that to be very powerful. Being a part of the Cultural Eye Committee truly has taught me that a picture does say so much more than a thousand words.

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Bridger Round table

By Rachel Gorman-Cooper

At the Youthbridge round table, I learned important life skills and acquired new resources to which I didn’t have access before.

At one table, I learned how to conduct a proper interview; I should bring a notebook, study facts about the company and its competitors and core values beforehand, and follow up after the interview the day of. The next table taught me the importance of making a brand for oneself through social media, and utilizing networks such as LinkedIn. I also learned about how to write a proper cover letter and to constantly update my resumè but keep the old ones in a file.

This workshop is valuable to me as a young person, but also as someone with many goals and strong drive. It’s crucial that throughout our lifetime, people organize their goals and make connections with the people they meet who can help them achieve such goals. I would strongly recommend future bridgers to take advantage of this workshop.

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The Youth are the future of the world

By Ayal Smith

The Youth are the future of the world. If so, then we need to learn how to be the future leaders. The skill building workshops we have are teaching us exactly that. We live in a city with so many people form different backgrounds, experiences, ethnicities, and more. We’re also in an ever changing and growing world, where inclusivity and acceptance is more important than ever.

In our sessions, we focus on a range of things. Some include learning the best way to handle situations we might find ourselves in. We did an exercise where we each took turns on how we would diffuse an argument whilst trying to make everyone satisfied. Each person did it their own way, and I got to learn different techniques for when mine fails. In another workshop, we were given a crash course in marketing from a successful professional. She taught us that it’s important to use our creativity and focus on the best way to succeed, while also thinking of how we can be most inclusive to everyone. For one project we were put into groups to think of how we would market a specific item to different audiences. Our groups were diverse, with each individual bringing their own ideas and knowledge of communities to the table. I learned so much form my fellow peers when we discussed what spoke to certain people, and what didn’t to others.

Diversity, Kindness, and Leadership. These are things we need in order to be compassionate, understanding, and successful adults. The workshops we have are teaching us exactly that, and with these skills, Youth-bridge is setting us up to be the future leaders of the world.

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Winter retreat at Dave and Buster’s

On Sunday, January 13, YouthBridge-NY teens enjoyed a day of arcade and video games at Dave and Buster’s! Everyone braved the winter weather to enjoy a Sunday afternoon together. Fellows and Bridgers were given a playing card with unlimited games and credits to play each game in Dave and Buster's. It was so fun to see the teamwork to win and friendly competition! Check out some photos below!  

Summer at a Glance

Summer at a glance…

Below are some reflections from our new Fellows and second-year Bridgers about their time in the Fellowship this past summer at our annual orientation retreat and the teens’ participation in Engaging Workplace Diversity.

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Outside of My Comfort Zone

by Osmar Perez

At first, YouthBridge-NY’s overnight retreat seemed a bit daunting: traveling all the way to the middle of nowhere with mostly unfamiliar folks didn’t look like my safest expedition for the summer. As I trickled down the bus’s steps to collect my luggage, I didn’t have the slightest clue of the amount of fun awaiting me.

The first few hours of the retreat were full of ice breakers and discussions that launched my peers and I outside of our comfort zones; in fact, one of the ice breakers required us to devise memorably silly handshakes with other participants we hadn’t acquainted with. There was one overarching sentiment between my peers and I by the end of the first day: we all felt as if we spent an entire week or so at URJ Kutz Camp even though it had only been a few hours since our arrival. I’m pretty sure our fear of the unknown caused our bonds to strengthen as we all tried to help each other out in adjusting to the rural environment that was Warwick, New York. Speaking of bonds, by the time the sky began to dim, the staff, Fellows, and Bridgers gathered in the Fishbowl Lobby to begin “Show and Tell” where each of us presented one item from home and explained how it relates to our identities. After everyone shared out, I developed a deeper appreciation for everyone there because I began to see them in a light that strayed from the superficial, and I thought that was pretty cool.

If you really want to know the activity that definitely pushed me outside of my comfort zone, then you’re probably going to want to ask me about the Alpine Tower, a not-so-climbable, 50-foot wooden structure. The task seemed pretty straightforward: step on all its rocks until you get to the top. Not long after, this naïve idea of rock-climbing surely stung me by the time I was halfway up the tower because I soon came to realize that the rocks’ sizes dwindled as you climbed further up. The cutthroat scent of pine trees and the encouragement from my peers concocted the perfect recipe for an atmosphere of pressure; I was grateful for the fact that nobody heard my incessant panting climbing up the tower. Lunging myself off a swaying log, I successfully became the first Fellow to reach the top of the Alpine Tower. Although this may seem like a cliché takeaway that revolves around perseverance, the lesson I learned from such a nerve-wracking experience is that commitment is easier said than done. I could’ve quit by the time I lost my balance on one of the rocks, but I already promised myself that I would reach the top. I could’ve quit by the time I felt anxious over the fact that all the staff members, Fellows, and Bridgers scrutinized my every move, but I kept climbing because I wanted to prove to myself that I could rock-climb on my first try. That arduous half-hour helped me visualize the results of resilience and grit.

My Feelings of Uneasiness Faded

By Tara Mavinakere

After an endless one and a half months of SAT prep and sleepless movie nights, I finally ventured out of Queens to go on the overnight orientation retreat at the URJ Kutz Camp. I was truly dreading this trip; I wasn’t sure if YouthBridge would be the right place for me. While on the train ride to the office, I started questioning every decision I had made up until that point. Is it too late to call out sick? Had I over-packed? Had I under-packed? Would I make friends?

Once I got to our meeting place in Midtown Manhattan my feelings of uneasiness faded as I saw familiar faces. The people I had met at the interview welcomed me with a hug and I felt relieved. I instantly connected with many of the Fellows, and eventually got to know some of the Bridgers as well.

The YouthBridge staff had many icebreakers and activities prepared to help us get to know each other better, and feel more comfortable with the rest of the group. One of these activities was the show and tell, where everyone brought in an object to describe themselves. Each person had an opportunity to talk about what makes them who they are, something we aren’t asked very often. However, my favorite part of the retreat was the free time we got at night before lights out. The bonds I had already formed strengthened as we relaxed together, enjoying each other’s company.

By the end of the retreat, I no longer wanted to go home. I loved my time at the camp, and I loved the new relationships I had formed with other members of the group. I had barely known these people for two days, but I felt as if I was parting with friends I’d had for years. The retreat made me eager to see what’s to come with this group who would soon become my family.

All We knew Was the Hard Work We Put into This Project

By Jessica Gruboy

Walking into the board room on the day of our presentations with my partner was exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time. We had just spent an hour solidifying our speeches in addition to the six weeks of preparing our business plan for our room of friends, family, and of course, intimidating adults who we admired and hoped to impress.

We had no idea what to expect nor what the environment in the room would be. All we knew was the hard work that we had put into this project- and that was calming enough. Seeing Karen and Sam full of passion and confidence in ourselves was inspiring. We watched our peers present their projects- we watched with so much overflowing pride because we saw how far they, as well as the rest of us, had come this summer. We started off with nervous rhetoric and a lack of information on our projects. In the blink of an eye, we became entrepreneurs with a vast sea of knowledge and confidence to boost our speaking. Nevertheless, walking up to the podium made my heart pound and my skin crawl.

Once we began our presentation, though, the reality of the situation became crystal clear: we were in a room full of peers and mentors who solely wanted us to succeed and who had the utmost trust in and respect for our hard work. The Q&A session was by far the most reassuring- judges, friends, and adults alike were asking us genuine questions and giving us feedback that made it obvious our work could actually have an impact- being told by a business owner that we could develop our plan into something tangible was so rewarding. By the time the results of the day had come, we knew that no matter what the outcome, our efforts were prize enough.

I Managed to Make More Direct Connections

By Jocelyn Tang

From the site visits I experienced with Engaging Workplace Diversity (EWD) this summer, I managed to make more direct connections with the professionals there and get a sense of the working environments. I was encouraged to ask questions which had once been a personal challenge for me, as I felt intimidated to approach adults or I felt my questions weren’t “good enough” or “not worth their time.” Asking questions allowed me to not only reflect on what they were saying, but it also built my confidence and motivated me to allow my curiosity to shine through.

Visiting the Facebook office blew my mind just like I thought it would. I got to see the unique working environment that encourages collaboration and creative thinking without the limitations of separation or a ranking system. It was clear to me that this facilitates the free and progressive nature embodied in Facebook. I now have a better understanding of the work environment and people who make the company successful.

I also got to visit the MasterCard tech hub. Not going to lie, I didn’t think this visit would interest me as much as it did. Before learning about the tech hub, I would have envisioned it to involve complex coding and programming that I would never understand. However, the MasterCard Tech Hub exposed me to the extent of technology and its impacts. I learned you don’t have to be a computer science genius to be involved. The tech hub’s use of virtual reality to make new products puts into perspective how these new innovations can benefit countless people. Regardless of my skill level or experience, I recognize the value in exploring technology.

The EWD site visits allowed me to learn about others’ experiences through colleges and various career paths. Most people reassured me that it’s okay that I don’t 100% (or not even 50%) know what I want to do in the future. This helps me live more in the present without constantly worrying about my potential careers. The workers have encouraged me to get out there and talk with people about their experiences (who doesn’t enjoy talking about themselves?), to have an open mind, to not be shy, to speak my own mind. After the site visits, have I completely figured out my future? No. Have I taken the first steps to understanding that future? Yes. Did I learn? Definitely.

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