Summer Youth Employment Program (S.Y.E.P.)

Community Based S.Y.E.P. is open to any youth between the ages of 14 and 21, as of the program start date, who can prove New York City residency. Selection is handled through a random lottery process, with no priority or preference given to any applicant.

Click here to apply

For more information contact Adam Fier, Director, SYEP Initiatives, at (718) 286-8121 or youthemployment@Commonpointqueens.org.

Career Ready S.Y.E.P. is designed for active students between the ages of 14 and 21 who attend specific N.Y.C. Department of Education schools that our agency is partnered with. Those schools are:

• Bayside High School
• Benjamin N. Cardozo High School
• Flushing High School/Veritas Academy
• Forest Hills High School
• Francis Lewis High School
• John Bowne High School
• Martin Van Buren High School
• Newcomers High School
• Pan American International High School
• Queens Academy
• Queens High School of Teaching
• Richmond Hill High School

Program selection is recruitment based and there is no lottery. We work directly with school administrators to consider applicants for program enrollment. Though very similar to the Community Based model, Career Ready participants receive additional work-readiness training before their summer experience begins. The program is co-created by the school and our organization to reflect the school’s program focus and students’ career interests.

For more information contact David Baker, Director, Career Ready SYEP, at (718) 286-8121 or DBaker@commonpointqueens.org.

As a 16-24 year old youth you will participate in a work based experience that will match your interests and provide enriching career exploration, help foster leadership, networking and develop numerous skills. 14-15 year olds will learn about career opportunities and make a difference in the community through paid, Project- Based Learning (PBL) classes. Youth will earn the New York State minimum wage of $15.00 an hour and may work up to 25 hours per week for six weeks in July and August.

To be eligible for SYEP, you must meet the following requirements:  

• Between the ages of 14 and 24
• Be a permanent resident of one of the five boroughs of New York City  
• Be legally allowed to work in New York City

The link to submit your application is https://application.nycsyep.com/.

The 2024 deadline is March 1, 2024.

Youth can be selected to the program via two options – through a lottery or direct recruitment by an SYEP provider to specialized programming. DYCD will conduct a lottery to select participants to the program. There will be more than one lottery to ensure that all seats in the program are filled. If you are selected by the lottery you will be contacted via the email address and/or phone number you provide in your application. You can check the status of your application by visiting the DYCD website (www.nyc.gov/dycd)

SYEP is 25 hours a week for six weeks from July through August.

Participants will earn the New York State minimum wage of $16.00 an hour and may work up to 25 hours per week for six weeks in July and August. Participants are paid weekly with a debit card or with Direct Deposit to a bank account of their choice.

No. DYCD does not require a fee for applying to SYEP and no one is allowed to charge a fee for participation or application entry. During the summer, you will be responsible for your own transportation to and from work as well as your own meals. These are the only out-of-pocket costs that you should incur while working for SYEP.

No, only the first application submitted will be accepted. Submitting multiple applications may prevent you from consideration in the job.

It will depend on your school schedule and whether it can accommodate both your work placement schedule and school.

Internet access is required to participate in SYEP. Please let your provider know if you do not have an internet connected device including a smartphone, iPad, or computer.

No, once an application is submitted, a participant is required to remain with that provider.

A provider is the organization that collects your application, enrolls you and places you in your summer experience. Commonpoint Queens, formerly known as Samuel Field YM&YWHA, Inc. is a provider of the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). They handle recruitment, review required documents, enroll participants, facilitate orientation, develop worksites partnerships, and create PBL curriculum.

DYCD (Department of Youth and Community Development) is the NYC agency that funds the program and determines program policy/document guidelines. They fund all aspects of the program including participant pay, determines required participant documents,  and conduct program audit to ensure document compliance.

Career Ready is a version of SYEP that is exclusive to participating schools. Our participating schools are Pan American International High School, Richmond Hill High School, and John Bowne High School.

Payroll Commit is the formal processing of the previous week’s hours which happens every Tuesday over the summer, starting with week 2.

A Worksite Supervisor is the onsite “boss” or person you report to while at your worksite.