The 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation’s 17th annual Care for Kids Gala was held on November 20, 2024, at Chelsea Piers’ Current. The event’s theme was “Shaping the Leaders of Tomorrow” in celebration of our work that nurtures, inspires and empowers our youth to maximize their potential and become effective leaders in our communities. This was highlighted by our past and current program participants who spoke about what our child-care programs have done for them.

TD Bank served as our corporate gala chair. In addition to hosting distinguished guests and community members, we enjoyed a wonderful performance by the Harlem School of the Arts Theatre Program’s fall show, School Girls; Or the African Mean Girl Play. This year, we honored Dr. Danielle R. Moss Cox, Chief Executive Officer of Oliver Scholars, and Pamela J. Maraldo, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Girls Inc. of New York City, for their extraordinary work with youth around New York.

This year’s event raised over $300,000 for CCC programming. Thank you to all who attended and those who continue to support our galas and year-round fundraising efforts. Funds raised help us support our current programs, pilot initiatives and provide scholarships. In 2024 alone, we assisted 111 families via summer day camp scholarships for Home Care members, piloting the Secondary High School Test Program, securing slots at Mount Sinai’s Nursing Pathway Program for our high-schoolers, covering sleep-away camp leadership training costs for our teens and much more. We look forward to many more years of uplifting our youth, their families and our communities.

Save the date! The 2025 Care for Kids Gala will take place on Wednesday, October 22, at Current in Chelsea Piers. The theme will be Bridges to the Future, and we hope to see you there!

Each summer, the 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation (CCC) partners with organizations and businesses in the New York metropolitan area to provide students with valuable internship and learning opportunities. In collaboration with the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), CCC offers paid summer employment and academic enrichment experiences through WorkForce 2000 (WF2) and the Pre-RN Program.

WORKFORCE 2000 SUMMER INTERNSHIPS

WF2 is a year-round academic program designed to help 1199SEIU youth succeed in high school, prepare for college and explore career interests. As part of the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), eligible students gain real-world experience by interning at various host sites.

SUMMER 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

• 74 WF2 interns were placed at 13 host sites, including hospitals, nursing homes and local organizations.
• Interns performed administrative and customer service tasks, data entry, social media management and more.
• Students received mentorship, professional training and career exploration opportunities.

STANDOUT INTERNS

• Alecia Smith McLean was placed at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center and was able to shadow a forensic pathologist and gain experience in the field. This opportunity was Alecia’s first step to pursuing her goal of becoming a forensic pathologist. She volunteered on Fridays when she was off from work and after the internship ended.
• Angel Santiago was placed at Brookdale and plans on being a dentist. He was lucky enough to shadow a dentist and gain professional experience. This was his second year in our internship program in the Dental unit.
• Gabrielle Augustin Orcel and Kimberly Tiwary were placed at From Soil to Boil. While working virtually, they made customer service videos, surveys for customers of the farmers market, and wellness tips posts. They also researched project diversification and their political influence as a local organization, and put their graphic design skills to great use.

INTERNSHIP DETAILS

• Duration: 6 weeks (July–August)
• Work Schedule: Up to 25 hours/week
• Compensation: Minimum wage, funded by DYCD
• Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old, live in NYC and submit required SYEP paperwork.

PRE-RN PROGRAM SUMMER EXPERIENCE

The Pre-RN program offers students interested in healthcare an opportunity to explore nursing and medical careers through academic coursework, hands-on training and hospital visits.

SUMMER 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

• 9 Pre-RN students attended hybrid classes through New York University (July 1–26).
• Workshops covered stress management, nutrition and mental health.
Hands-on medical experiences at:
• New York Simulation Center for Health Sciences (manikin simulation, wound care, intubation)
• Brookdale Hospital Medical Center (ICU, OR, ER, Pediatrics, Radiology, Labor/Delivery)

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS

Students presented on topics including:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Gestational diabetes
• Homicidal behavior factors
• American hospice care
• Environmental impact on respiratory health

The WF2 and Pre-RN programs continue to provide transformative opportunities for students, helping them develop professional skills, industry knowledge and career aspirations. We look forward to another successful year ahead!