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Cord Meyer Development Donates $30,000 to Commonpoint Queens in Support of Summer Internship Program

jeremy cord meyer intern

Cord Meyer Development Donates $30,000 to Commonpoint Queens 
in Support of Summer Internship Program

Queens, NY – Cord Meyer Development, whose portfolio of properties includes the Bay Terrace Shopping Center and Bay Lane Estates in Bayside, and retail and office tenants throughout Queens, has made a $30,000 donation to the social services organization Commonpoint Queens to underwrite summer internships for local youth. Commonpoint Queens is offering the internships following the April suspension of New York City’s popular Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) due to COVID-19.

“When we learned that the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development had canceled the internship program this summer, we turned to Cord Meyer Development to help us continue the program,” explained Danielle Ellman, Chief Executive Officer of Commonpoint Queens. “Over the years we have partnered with Cord Meyer on various projects and they immediately agreed to help fund the program. Their generous donation will provide 12 internships, enabling us to continue offering today’s youth pathways out of poverty and into long-term success.”

Cord Meyer Development Chief Operating Officer Anthony Colletti stated, “Cord Meyer Development is proud to support Commonpoint Queens and its mission to help young people prepare for and gain employment through summer internships. These young men and women are our future and deserve every advantage, particularly during this difficult period. We share a long history of community support with Commonpoint Queens and are honored to provide funding for their critically important work-readiness programs.”

With the cancellation of the New York City SYEP program, Commonpoint Queens will not receive reimbursement for its administrative costs. “It is only through the generosity of companies like Cord Meyer that we are able to keep our commitment to our young people,” concluded Ellman. “We made the decision to absorb the administrative costs of the internship program knowing that low-income youth are the least likely group to have the connections needed to chart their careers. Summer internships become the network that can open doors and provide opportunities.”

Jeremy E., one of the Cord Meyer funded interns shared, “Thank you for your donation to Commonpoint Queens! Your act of gratitude has managed to give valuable experiences to young people and land many of them internships at law, financial, and other prestigious firms like me.

During these unprecedented times, your donation has enabled me to obtain a valuable opportunity at New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) as a Human Resources Intern. Not only will this be another source of income for me, as I have lost my job due to COVID-19 but, a learning opportunity for a field in business that I am truly passionate about. This internship means a lot to me as I will begin my college journey this fall, and I will develop my career path interning at NYLAG. Your donation will reach others, like a chain reaction, as interning at NYLAG will enable me to use the power of the law to help New Yorkers in need to combat social and economic injustice in the workforce. NYLAG addresses emerging and urgent legal needs with comprehensive, free civil legal services, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community education to people with low-income backgrounds. This internship will truly be inspiring me to lend a hand to my own community as you did. Once again, your donation has opened me to a professional network, built an amazing resume, transformed my communication skills, and most importantly has developed my passion for the business workforce. People like you are giving diverse young people from all backgrounds the opportunity to challenge the status quo and achieve success for the future. Thank you SO SO SO much for your donation! It has changed my life!”

To date, 7 of the 12 Cord Meyer interns have been placed with the following companies; New York Legal Assistance Group, Internationals Network, Sapphire Digital, SHARE Cancer Support, and Fam-In.

Photo: Commonpoint Queens intern, Jeremy

Rofeeah

“Having the opportunity to intern with Sapphire Digital gives me hope that I can work to accomplish my future goals. Being able to have exposure to the working environment gives me the chance to explore my options in the field of technology.”

Photo: Commonpoint Queens intern, Rofeeah

Shania

“I would like to say that it’s an honor to be able to intern with Sapphire Digital especially being a person who is currently a part of a low-income household. This would be a bit of a relief not only for myself but for my mom as well. Additionally, I am grateful to have something to do over the summer that aligns with my interests which is something that I was worried about since this pandemic started and things got canceled, closed, etc.”

Photo: Commonpoint Queens intern, Shania

More about Commonpoint Queens Summer Internships

We often take for granted the benefits of our social and family networks. When it is time to find a part-time job or an internship we have a community we turn to for guidance. Low-income youth are the least likely group to have the connections needed to guide them or to open the doors to opportunities when charting their careers. Summer Internships become that network by reaching young people with the greatest need and helping them find promising pathways out of poverty and into professions. In addition, a well-structured internship is proven to increase student involvement and academic and social integration leading to increased retention, persistence, and degree completion.

With over 7 years of experience in training and placing interns, Commonpoint Queens is uniquely placed to work with companies to place eligible applicants in a high-quality, meaningful internship. Our internship program is a competitive career readiness training program that culminates in a paid summer internship for young people ages 16-21.

In addition to the internship experience, all Commonpoint Queens internship program participants receive 20-30 hours of pre-employment training, equipping them with crucial workplace skills. The orientation teaches essential job skills such as resume and professional email writing and etiquette, mock interviews, and how to dress and conduct yourself in an office.

We also partner with our worksites to identify and vet potential interns. Companies can invest in the long-term success of young people in two ways. First, by partnering with Commonpoint Queens to employ interns. Second, to subsidize an intern or interns at a nonprofit organization. The cost to subsidize one intern is $2,500. You can help young people prepare for exciting, productive careers.

For more information or to see how you can help contribute to a meaningful employment experience for our young people, please contact Danielle Glick, Assistant Vice President of High School and College Success, at DGlick@commonpointqueens.org

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More About Commonpoint Queens

The social services organization Commonpoint Queens helps individuals and families of diverse backgrounds find support, connections and opportunities during all stages of their lives. Guided by the Jewish values of service and justice for six decades, the agency has a range of programs at 52 sites across Queens, assisting 50,000 people each year. To learn more, go to www.commonpointqueens.org.