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Tag: C2L-PHL

JEVS Human Services Highlights C2L-PHL at the City’s It’s a Summer Thing Press Conference

Posted on by Cassandra DeMas

At the City of Philadelphia’s annual “It’s a Summer Thing!” Press Conference, JEVS Human Services (JEVS) President and CEO Cynthia Figueroa had the opportunity to speak about Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL) Summer 2026 programming. See all the news outlets that covered the event!

Watch Cynthia Figueroa’s interview and more on NBC10 Philadelphia

Learn more about C2L-PHL and other Summer 2026 programs at the Philadelphia Tribune

Read more about It’s a Summer Thing and C2L-PHL at WHYY

Learn more about C2L-PHL and It’s a Summer Thing offerings at CBS News Philadelphia

Advocating for Youth Workforce Development at the United States Conference of Mayors

Posted on by Cassandra DeMas

Philadelphia, PA — April 16, 2026 — At the United States Conference of Mayors, the   Career Connected Learning (C2L-PHL) team of JEVS Human Services (JEVS) was proud to facilitate a C2L-PHL panel for the Workforce Development Council. This council serves as an advisory board to recommend policy to the nation’s mayors as they consider the workforce systems in their cities. 

Each of the panelists represented a vital piece of the C2L-PHL puzzle, and together they illustrated what it looks like to come together to provide opportunities for young Philadelphians. Questions focused on why it matters to support our youth, how we can connect them to the resources they need, and the ways multiple organizations across Philadelphia collaborate to make C2L-PHL a success.  

One of the panelists, Jordan Reeder, is a previous C2L-PHL participant. Jordan worked with the Temple Lenfest program for the last three years. When asked what he gained by participating in C2L-PHL programming, Jordan focused on networking. He said, “I’m such a big believer in networking, I already knew photography was my passion when I got to [Temple] Lenfest, but it was through doing the program that I started to meet people who shared their wisdom and who could get me connected to their network to help me get where I am today.” Where Jordan is today is impressive. As a celebrity photographer, Jordan has worked with The Lox, Meek Mill, Rick Ross, Grammy Award-Winning Artist Leon Thomas, and even more noteworthy figures. 

C2L-PHL exists to give young Philadelphians the space to learn, grow, and build a path to a successful future. Jordan’s experience is a great example of what can happen when a young person gets connected to the resources they need to thrive.  

When asked why it matters to invest in programs like C2L-PHL, Cydney Irving-Dasent, a C2L-PHL partner with the City of Philadelphia Office of Children and Families said, “Because young Philadelphians are Philadelphians too.” Young people like Jordan, and the thousands of C2L-PHL participants this summer, deserve opportunities to succeed just as much as any other Philadelphians. 

The C2L-PHL panel, moderated by JEVS Human Services President and CEO Cynthia Figueroa, featured expert guests across Philadelphia’s youth workforce development system. The panelists included:  

  • Cydney Irving-Dasent, Chief of Children and Family Support Services in the Office of Children and Families of the City of Philadelphia,  
  • Tiffany Tavarez, Vice President of Community Impact and Strategic Partnerships at Jefferson,  
  • Debbie O’Brien, Market Executive with Bank of America,  
  • Kiah Collins, Lead Senior Student Intern at Temple University’s Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships, and  
  • Jordan Reeder a C2L-PHL participant with Temple University’s Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships. 

C2L-PHL is one of Philadelphia’s largest youth workforce development systems. In its third summer of programming, C2L-PHL will employ nearly 8,000 young Philadelphians! This made C2L-PHL an ideal program to showcase to visiting members of the Workforce Development Council who may be interested in learning about ways they can support their future youth workforce. 

Local businesses looking to get involved in C2L-PHL are encouraged to complete the Business Inquiry form or visit our website to learn more about C2L-PHL. 

Career Connected Learning Philadelphia Featured on Evening WURDs Segment

Posted on by Cassandra DeMas

Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL) Leadership met with Dr. James Peterson to discuss the role the program plays in Philadelphia’s youth career development ecosystem on WURD Radio. Speakers included Cydney Irving-Dasent, Chief of Children and Family Support Services at the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Children and Families, Marcus Hall, Director of Workforce Systems at Philadelphia Works, and JEVS own Senior Vice President of Youth and Young Adult Services, Kimberly McCaffrey. Click here to listen to the interview.

Who can apply for C2L-PHL? Calling Philadelphia Youth Ages 12-24 for Paid Work Experiences!

Posted on by Cassandra DeMas

Did you know that young Philadelphians can get paid to learn this summer? Applications will open next month for Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL). The program is open to any Philadelphia resident aged 12-24.

C2L-PHL provides an opportunity for youth to invest in their future by gaining skills and exploring different fields. . The program does not discriminate based on race, gender, or sexual orientation. Young people involved in the juvenile justice system, those who are pregnant or parenting, and people with disabilities are welcome and encouraged to apply. Previous work experience is not required.

Interested? Here’s what to know

Slots are limited, but you can prepare to apply by following these steps.

  1. Join the mailing list to get notified when applications open.
  2. Get your documents ready.

To apply for C2L-PHL, youth will need to answer some questions and submit a few documents. These documents are needed to verify applicants’ identity and eligibility. All documents will be kept private and secure.

Prepare your Documents

Applicants will need to submit one document from both lists below. Additional documents may be needed on a case-by-case basis.

Social Security Number

  • Social Security Card
  • Social Security Benefits Documents
  • Pay Stub/W2
  • Social Security Number Notification Letter/Printout
  • Employment Records

Identity/Age (12-24 Years Old)

  • Birth Certificate
  • U.S. Passport
  • Driver’s License
  • Federal, State, or Local Government ID
  • Work Permit
  • School Records/School ID
  • Baptismal Certificate (if place of birth is shown)
  • Hospital Record of Birth (if full name is shown)

Once you have your documents, be sure to watch for when applications open. We look forward to welcoming you to C2L-PHL Summer 2026!

Learn more about C2L-PLH by following us @c2lphl or visiting our website.

Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL) Seeks Providers for Summer 2026!

Posted on by Cassandra DeMas

Are you an experienced provider of youth services? JEVS Human Services (JEVS)on behalf of the program funders, is looking for providers who wish to participate in Career Connected Learning PHL (C2L-PHL) for the summer of 2026.  We welcome proposals from high-performing, youth-serving, non-profit organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area who are interested in becoming providers and operating developmentally appropriate programming through C2L-PHL.

C2L-PHL is designed to support large-scale, coordinated, career-connected learning efforts, and to engage Philadelphia youth in paid, meaningful work experiences. Providers will implement programs that introduce youth to career options and pathways, build workforce skills, earn industry-valued credentials, and lead them to next steps toward jobs that pay a living wage.

The full Request for Proposals (RFP) can be downloaded and reviewed here. There will be a Bidder’s Conference via Zoom on Tuesday, January 20th, at 3:00pm to address questions. Please RSVP to attend.

All interested providers must electronically submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to receive the link to the application. You must submit your NOI by Friday, January 23 at 5:00 PM. Once you have submitted the NOI, you will receive an electronic application link within 24 hours. The application must be completed and submitted by Monday, February 2 at 5:00 pm.

Key Dates:

  • Tuesday, January 20: Bidder’s Conference via Zoom at 3:00 pm. Register to attend.
  • Friday, January 23: Submit Notice of Intent by 5:00 pm.
  • Monday, January 26: The application will be sent to those who submitted an NOI.
  • Monday, February 2: Deadline to submit Proposals by 5:00 pm.

To learn more about this RFP, please visit the  . Questions about this RFP should be submitted electronically to [email protected].

 

C2L-PHL Behind the Scenes: Maniya’s Amazing Experience

Posted on by Cassandra DeMas

Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL) is a life-changing experience for many young Philadelphians. Maniya, a C2L-PHL participant this Fall, said the program brought her meaningful personal growth. She added, “it helped me build my skills, build my communication, and be an independent young woman.”  

Maniya took part in C2L-PHL through the provider Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) at one of PYN’s partner sites, Bebashi Transition to Hope. Angela Ayukachale, Senior Hunger Relief Outreach Specialist at Bebashi, spoke highly of Maniya. “She can do the job and is equipped to manage all scenarios that have been thrown at her. We’ve had difficult clients; we’ve had pressured situations where you have to hurry up and work. And she was not deterred by that. She managed it with grace.” 

C2L-PHL offers young Philadelphians the opportunity to get paid to learn. The goal is to prepare participants for success by building strong skills and confidence. No matter which program young people join. “The first day I was nervous because it was so busy,” said Maniya, “and it’s still busy, but now I’m used to it.” You would never guess she ever felt nervous given her confidence today! 

Young people like Maniya at Bebashi are gaining experience that will serve them well in the future while also supporting the health and well-being of their community. 

Bebashi offers a wide range of services, including food and nutrition support, health and wellness resources, and more. Philadelphia Youth Network participants placed at Bebashi help out at the food pantry. Young people at Bebashi really do it all—they check guests in, assist them as they shop, check out their groceries, and more. 

While C2L-PHL participants are young, Angela knows they can handle important tasks. “It’s invaluable to have real world experience and real-world expectations,” she said. “They can take this back to school, they can take this back home and be like ‘people count on me, they rely on me’.” 

Maniya is doing amazing work and growing as an individual as well as a young professional. Angela said, “My goal is to train her well, so she feels comfortable and let her thrive.” Maniya is doing just that—thriving while helping others in her community. 

To stay updated on all things C2L-PHL, join our mailing list.  

A Second Summer of Success with C2L-PHL

Posted on by Cassandra DeMas

Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL) had a second great summer of learning and growth! The program, which began in 2024, kept growing in 2025 with tremendous learning opportunities for its young participants. 

This summer, C2L-PHL teamed up with 53 non-profit groups that help young people learn new skills. Some programs engaged directly with participants for the entire summer. Others partnered with local businesses to give youth hands-on experiences. Young people took part at 550 different sites around Philadelphia. 

In all, more than 7,000 young Philadelphians aged 12-24 joined the program! 

These young people in C2L-PHL got paid to learn. That’s one of the best parts of the program! This summer, about $8.5 million went to young Philadelphians. That money supported students, helped families, and boosted the local economy. Above all, it gave young people a chance to focus on their career growth. 

Altogether, participants spent 864,511 hours gaining experience this summer! They used this time to build a strong start for their future careers. Along with hands-on learning, they also took part in helpful training. Topics included money management, good professional habits, and physical and emotional health. 

At summer’s end, the students took part in a survey to offer their feedback. They shared that they learned important money skills, like how to save, make a budget, and spend wisely. Most people said they felt satisfied with their experience.  

We shared these results at the C2L-PHL Summer 2025 Provider Convening, held on October 16, 2025. At the event, we took time to celebrate the amazing providers who make C2L-PHL happen. We also shared our successes from the summer and discussed the ways we plan to keep growing and improving C2L-PHL programming.  

This summer was a big success for C2L-PHL, and there’s more to come! Sign up for the mailing list to stay in the loop.

Spotlight: Working with the Bank of America Student Leaders®

Posted on by Cassandra DeMas

Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL) gives young people ages 12-24 a chance to get paid while they learn. This summer, C2L-PHL also worked with the Bank of America Student Leaders® program. Five interns helped behind the scenes to make C2L-PHL a success.

While the interns want different future jobs, they all want the same thing now—to get real work experience. Barakey, an incoming freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, said, “I applied for the Bank of America internship because it offered a significant opportunity to experience real world work before starting college. I was also drawn to the chance to work at a nonprofit in my own community.”

Caring about the Philadelphia community has helped the interns succeed. Hana, a rising senior at Masterman School, said, “the rest of the Bank of America interns [and I] helped change the C2L application by making it more user-friendly.” Working at C2L-PHL meant they had to think about what other people needed in the application process

The interns didn’t just learn about working in an office. They also learned about building their careers. Alejandro, a rising senior at Friend’s Central School, said, “I learned how important networking is to create long lasting connections that will benefit my future. I gained valuable connections that I can use for a lifetime in the business world and outside.”

This internship was more than just something to do over the summer. The Bank of America Student Leaders® gained real experience helping their community, and it shaped how they see their futures. Isabella, an incoming senior at Carver High School, said, “it’s made me more interested in mission-driven work. Whether I go into finance or tech, I want to stay connected to projects that create real social value.”

The eight-week internship went by fast. Looking back on it, Ridham, a rising senior at Camden County Technical School, said, “From day one, the people were amazing, friendly, supportive, and welcoming, which made every day enjoyable. I learned important skills like time management, staying organized, paying attention to detail, and how teamwork makes a big difference.”

One thing is clear: these young leaders have bright futures. The JEVS C2L-PHL team is proud of them and excited to see what they do next.

Media Mention: C2L-PHL Program Highlighted by Chalkbeat

Posted on by Cassandra DeMas

JEVS Human Services is proud to be the program intermediary for Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL). C2L-PHL is a collaborative effort of the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Works, and the School District of Philadelphia. The goal of C2L-PHL is to enhance and support career exposure and development for young people in Philadelphia by placing young people at organizations all around the city. At their placements, they get paid to learn about financial management, career opportunities, and more while they gain hands-on experience. The School District of Philadelphia’s Drumline Program, is one of the many placements young people can partner with. Read the full article here.

C2L-PHL Program Spotlight: Discovery Pathways

Posted on by Cassandra DeMas

Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL) helps young people in Philadelphia, ages 12 to 24, earn money while they learn. This summer, they’re teaming up with more than 50 groups across the city—including a partnership between SEAMAAC (Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association Coalition) and Discovery Pathways at FDR Park.

At Discovery Pathways, young people are getting paid to support and celebrate FDR Park. They learn about the park’s history, plants, and animals—then share what they’ve learned with others!

The leaders at Discovery Pathways guide nature walks, show people how to kayak and fish, and teach others to lead the program in the future. These young leaders don’t just help little kids—they also teach teens and adults. Brianna, a rising 10th grader at Gerard Academic Music Program, said, “Other people are not experienced with this knowledge, and I’m able to give them that knowledge, so hopefully they can share it with someone else.”

While they’re learning about the park, they’re also picking up important life skills. They’re becoming better at talking with others, teaching, and leading. Melissa, an incoming freshman at Temple University, shared, “[The program] really helped me open up, because I used to be quiet… we’ve learned a lot about public speaking, and it really helped me.”

They’re also getting ready for future careers by building their resumes and practicing interviews. Eh, a rising senior at Carver High School, said, “I’ve never done a real interview before, so I feel much more prepared for the future now.”

For many of these teens, FDR Park is more than just a fun place to learn—it’s a big part of their lives. They live nearby and have built strong friendships and community through the program. Chris, an upcoming 10th grader at Cappa High School, said that without C2L-PHL, “I’d be laying in bed on my phone and doing chores. I’m really happy that I’m here, doing something outside and being productive.”

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