FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jennifer Morrill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jennifer Morrill
August 18, 2017 Press Secretary M: 201-376-0699
E:
This Friday More than80 Youth Participants Complete2017 Jersey City Summer Internship Program Earning Invaluable Experience Working at Top Companies and Nonprofit Institutions
Jersey City Summer Internship is Part of the Larger Summer Works Program that has Placed More than 3,000 Youth in Jobs, Internships and Enrichment Courses
JERSEY CITY –Mayor Steven M. Fulopannounces the finale of the 2017 Jersey City Summer Internship(JCSI) programat a ceremony this Friday, August 18th, 2017. Of the over 200 applicants, 85Jersey City high school students were accepted into the highly competitive, paid internship initiative with top corporations and nonprofits for 6 weeks over the summer. JPMorgan Chase Foundation has served as the primary sponsor of the program since its launch in 2014.
The program participants will receive certificates of completion at a ceremony this Friday, August 18th from 2:30 to 4:30pm at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson, 2 Exchange Place, Jersey City, NJ. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor will give remarks and recognize all those who support and run the program. Two students will speak about their internship experience. After the ceremony reporters will have the opportunity to meet and interview the youth participants.
“This is the type of work-based experience colleges and employers specifically look for on applications,” said Mayor Fulop. “To be able to provide our youth with these learning opportunities not only opens the doors for each individual’s future, but also therefore benefits the community as a whole.”
JCSI has grown by nearly 70% since its inception 3 years ago. Internships at top companies and nonprofits in Jersey City, Manhattan, West New York, Iselin and Roseland focus on work-based learning with weekly instruction in essential workforce skills including team work, public speaking, research, networking, and office etiquette. The student interns represent 13 different Jersey City public schools, charter schools and county public schools.Participants received stipends provided by generous support from sponsors.
JCSI is the core program of the broader Jersey City Summer Works initiative, launched in 2014. Every summer employment and enrichment opportunities are provided to about 1,000 city youth via multiple Summer Works programs. The success of JC Summer Works has also led to evenfurther expansion into year-round job opportunities titled Jersey City Youth Works. Working in municipal departments and agencies citywide, JC Youth Works provides city youth with a productive career path with competitive opportunities at leading companies and institutions. The jobs program includes various municipal departments such as Recreation, Law, the Human Resources Department, Communications, Cultural Affairs and others, as well as the Jersey City Public Library and the Summer Works Arts Program.
Gekson Casillas, Jr., a rising senior at McNair Academic High School interned at the law firm of McManimon, Scotland & Baumann, which has extended Gekson an offer to stay on for the rest of summer, “I think I speak for me and my fellow interns, when I say that we are not the same as when we came into this program. We came in as kids looking for a first job, some good money, and real world experiences. We left as young adults. We left being able to walk into a room of adults, leave a good first impression, and leave with a few business cards. We learned skills that will transfer to wherever we go in life. . . . It has instilled in me, and I feel my fellow interns as well, the values and skills needed to lead our communities, our city, our country, and our generation.”
“We were thrilled to participate in JCSI for the fourth time this summer and to deepen our investment in Jersey City’s youth,” said Natalie Brathwaite, Regional Director of Public Affairs, Fidelity Investments. “At Fidelity, we know how important it is to provide professional learning opportunities for students and as an original sponsor of JCSI, we have seen the value these youth bring to our organizations. JCSI interns are extraordinary young people who impress us year after year with their talent and hard work.”
In addition to JPMorgan Chase Foundation, JCSI’s major supporters include Bank of America, BCB Bank, Goldman Sachs, Newmark Holdings, Oritani Bank, and Silverman. Additional sponsors includeBrown Brothers Harriman, Carepoint Health Organization,Connell Foley, Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, Diversified Global Graphics Group, Dixon Advisory, Eastern Millwork, Inc., Fidelity Investments, Goya Foods, Inc., Hyatt Regency Jersey City, Investors Bank, Mack-Cali Realty Corporation, McManimon, Scotland & Baumann, LLC, PepsiCo., Sims Metal Management, Société Générale, SUEZ Water, VF Sportswear, Inc., Vijaya Chellapilla and Family, and Marcos Vigil.
Nonprofit internship hosts includeGarden State Episcopal Community Development Corporation,Hudson County Chamber of Commerce,Jersey City Medical Center, Liberty Science Center,New Jersey City University, North Hudson Community Action Corporation, NPower,Saint Peter’s University,The Waterfront Project, United Way,WomenRising, Inc., and York Street Project.
All media inquiries should be directed to Jennifer Morrill, Press Secretary to Mayor Steven M. Fulop at or 201-376-0699.