Child Care Corporation Celebrates Youth Mentoring Program Participants

The 1199SEIU Employer/Child Care Corporation (CCC) recognized 231 student participants of the Youth Mentoring Program (YMP) at a ceremony held at the New York Academy of Medicine on August 15. Every year, the YMP offers teens ages 15 to 17 invaluable opportunities to explore careers in the healthcare industry by providing them with real-world work experience during their summer vacation. This year, 22 sites in New York City participated in the program. Each student was placed at a worksite, which was his or her parent’s place of employment, and for 24 hours a week, the student provided assistance with clerical tasks; some students were even able to assist healthcare professionals such as pharmacy technicians. The YMP also provided students with onsite mentoring and opportunities to attend development seminars to help enhance their resumes and professional portfolios.

This year’s ceremony opened with CCC’s Vice President Rossmery Dais welcoming students, their families and guests, before former and current YMP participants and site supervisors reflected on the impact of the program. In his keynote address, former site supervisor Daitwan Davis highlighted the YMP’s success in encouraging the development of positive skill sets and teaching youth the importance of meeting expectations in a professional environment. YMP participant Katherine Wu, who worked in the wound care department at Maimonides Medical Center, echoed Daitwan’s sentiments. She entered the YMP hoping to develop a strong work ethic and a greater understanding of the many occupations in the healthcare industry. She credited the program with giving her “valuable life experiences, more self-assurance and independence.”