By: Rossella A.

JEVS Human Services and our Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL) team were excited to host a group of community leaders from Ecuador. They came to learn how we help youth explore careers and gain important skills. These guests are part of a program run by the U.S. Department of State, which connects leaders from around the world to share ideas and learn from each other. 

Ecuador has made great progress in helping young people, and this visit gave both countries a chance to share ideas on how to help youth find jobs, especially those who need support after facing tough times. Youth programs are important because they offer education, training, and work experience they need to rebuild their lives. 

The C2L-PHL program provides paid opportunities for youth in Philadelphia. It is a partnership with the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Works, and the School District of Philadelphia. It helps teens and young adults learn about different jobs, develop important job skills, and discover their strengths and interests. 

Programs like C2L-PHL offer mentoring, skill-building, and hands-on work experiences to help participants shape a successful future. C2L-PHL also teaches financial literacy, helping them learn to manage money as they prepare for their career. 

Our dialogue with the Ecuadorian delegation showed how important it is, worldwide, to give young people safe spaces, strong support, and real work opportunities. We are grateful to the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia for helping us make this connection. By learning from each other, we can strengthen efforts to help the next generation overcome challenges and contribute to their communities.  

Empoderando a la Juventud: Visita de Líderes Ecuatorianos para Aprender del Programa C2L-PHL

JEVS Human Services y nuestro equipo de Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL) estuvieron emocionados de recibir a un grupo de líderes de la comunidad Ecuatoriana. Ellos vinieron a aprender cómo ayudamos a los jóvenes a explorar carreras y desarrollar habilidades importantes. Esta comisión es parte de un programa del U.S. Department of State, que conecta a líderes de todo el mundo para compartir ideas y aprender unos de otros. 

Ecuador ha hecho grandes avances en apoyar a los jóvenes, y esta visita permitió que ambos países compartieran ideas sobre cómo ayudar a los jóvenes a encontrar empleo, especialmente aquellos que necesitan apoyo después de pasar por momentos difíciles. Los programas juveniles son importantes porque ofrecen la educación, capacitación y experiencia laboral que ellos necesitan para reconstruir sus vidas. 

El Programa de Empleo Juvenil C2L-PHL es una colaboración con la Ciudad de Filadelfia, Philadelphia Works y el Distrito Escolar de Filadelfia, que ayuda a adolescentes y adultos jóvenes a conocer diferentes trabajos, desarrollar habilidades laborales importantes y descubrir sus fortalezas e intereses. 

Programas como C2L-PHL ofrecen mentoría, desarrollo de habilidades y experiencias laborales prácticas para enfocar a los participantes a construir un futuro exitoso. C2L-PHL también enseña educación financiera, educándolos en el manejo del dinero mientras se preparan para sus carreras. 

Nuestra colaboración con la delegación Ecuatoriana muestra la importancia, a nivel mundial, de brindar a los jóvenes espacios seguros, apoyo sólido y oportunidades reales de trabajo. Estamos agradecidos al World Affairs Council de Filadelfia por ayudarnos a crear esta conexión. Al aprender unos de otros, podemos fortalecer los esfuerzos para ayudar a la próxima generación a superar desafíos y contribuir a sus comunidades. 

One of our C2L-PHL providers this summer was We Love Philly. This program offered opportunities for twenty-five high school aged youth in West Philadelphia. Among them was Abigail, who offers this first-hand account of her summer experience:

My name is Abigail and I live in Southwest Philadelphia. I’m a 15-year-old rising Sophomore at a local public school. This summer, I participated in C2L-PHL with WeLovePhilly to learn about digital marketing and social media management. 

This is the second year I have participated in WeLovePhilly’s summer program. I was connected to the opportunity at WeLovePhilly through someone I knew from participating in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program. 

I worked alongside five other students all summer and had a lot of fun meeting and learning with them and our teacher. I enjoyed the fact that we moved around a lot and met in different places such as REC Philly, Industrious, or Capital One Cafe. 

Through this summer program, I learned how to better speak up for myself and voice my opinions. WeLovePhilly teachers always encourage us to share our perspectives, which has made it easier for me to do in other places.

I also learned and practiced taking SEPTA. Traveling to WeLovePhilly each day has made me more confident in taking the train or bus.

I’m not sure what career path I want to take yet, but I would consider digital marketing. It is a good career for introverts who like to socialize, but not too much. 

The C2L-PHL program is great for young people like me because we get to learn, stay busy, and earn money during the summer. I’m excited to participate next year!

One of our C2L-PHL providers this summer was CORA Services, which offered a middle school program at Northwood Academy Charter School in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. Thirty-five youth, ages 12- 14, participated in the six-week program. Among them was Amiya, who offers this first-hand account of her summer experience: 

My name is Amiya, and I would like to share my experience with the CORA Services C2L-PHL middle school program. I would describe my time in the program as fun, scary, life changing as well as a time to remember. I started the program when I was 12 and I am now 14. 

When I first started, I was timid and closed off, I did not know anybody, and I did not know my surroundings. But the teachers there made it very easy for me to get comfortable. I have now made amazing bonds and relationships. Throughout my time in the C2L-PHL program, I have been on various college trips such as Cheney, Widener, LaSalle, and many more.  

Being in C2L-PHL has given me a chance to learn how to manage money. We would have people from banks and other professions come and talk about their time and experiences working at their jobs. Being a part of C2L-PHL and being with other students helped me learn teamwork and leadership skills for the real world.  

All the teachers, site directors and students have helped me come out of my shell. They have all helped me learn and experience new things, they’ve helped me grow as a person and helped me break down what I want to be in life.  

I have seen and heard about many professions, so I know when I grow up, I would like to work in the medical field as a nurse or doctor working with kids. I would like to thank everybody at the C2L-PHL program for my experiences and all the help they gave me. 

Without my time in the program, I don’t know if I would have the tough skin I do now or if I would have the experience I do. Being exposed to colleges and financial literacy is something people my age don’t get to do.  

I take pride that I worked this summer and was able to not only earn money but understand the importance of saving.  

To close out I would like to say thank you for everything and I hope the program continues so other kids get to experience it.