2025 Westchester County Summer Youth Employment Program ends with closing ceremony

Port Chester, NY Energetic, motivated, and future-focused are four standout participants of the Westchester County Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) who took the spotlight at Carver Center’s SYEP closing ceremony. Sebastian Mora, Carver Camp; Roaa Mohammed, Carver Camp; Melani Lopez, Carver Center Camp; and Ana Ruiz, NY Presbyterian Hospital, spent their summer working and reflected the confidence, professionalism, and career exploration mindset that the SYEP program is designed to inspire. Their achievements are a small sample of the hundreds of success stories that occurred across the county this summer. 

Each summer, the TANF Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) opens doors for Westchester County teens and young adults to gain their first real-world work experience. Supported by the Westchester–Putnam Workforce Development Board (WPWDB), SYEP provides subsidized employment opportunities for income-eligible youth ages 14 to 20. Employers are incentivized to hire participants because wages are covered by program funds, making it possible for small businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations to take on youth workers at no cost to them. Employers include government agencies, county parks and recreation centers, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses. 

In 2025, SYEP ran from May 1 through September 30 with more than $1.75 million in funding, including $1,140,437 for Westchester placements and $614,080 for Yonkers. In total, 420 program spots were made available, ensuring that hundreds of young people could gain valuable skills, and lay the foundation for future career success.

The program goes beyond a paycheck. Participants receive job-readiness training in areas such as financial literacy, resume writing, and interview preparation, while also gaining hands-on experience in workplaces ranging from community centers to hospitals. This combination of training and employment helps youth build confidence, explore career pathways, and develop the professionalism needed to succeed in the workforce.

Participants are enrolled by local youth organizations who provide job readiness training, supervision, and mentorship. Each organization has an enrollment and employment goal for summer which is historically exceeded each year. This year’s community partners included: Boys & Girls Club, Carver Center, Children’s Village, Mt. Vernon Youth Bureau, New Rochelle Youth Bureau, Ossining Youth Bureau, Peekskill Youth Bureau, Slater Center, Town of Greenburgh, WestCOP, White Plains Youth Bureau, Westhab, Inc.

Liz Oliveto, WPWDB Youth Program director said: “We are truly grateful to the employers, community partners, families, and staff whose support makes SYEP possible each year. It’s inspiring to watch our community come together each summer to open doors for young people and invest in their futures. And most of all, congratulations to our youth participants — you’ve worked hard, spoken up for yourselves, and shown what’s possible when talent meets opportunity.