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Love is in
the Air
By Kareem Tobias,
Creative Specialist at Lamad Academy
Valentine’s Days was a little different this year, we try to demonstrate
here at Sesame that it’s about love but also it’s about how you show
your love to someone, something, or somewhere. With the help of Ms.
Redman, one of our beloved staff, we were able to organize and hold such
a wonderful event on February 10th for the lovely scholars at LAMAD
Academy, Sesame Flyers Middle School afterschool program. Before we ate
of course we praised and gave thanks for the food prepared for us — but
more importantly we all got to speak about the things, people, and
places that we love and why one by one.
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Executive Director's Message
I am very proud to share with our
community that we have reached another outreach milestone! We have a
billboard live at the corner of Church Avenue and Nostrand Avenue. We
want to ensure that our beloved community knows that Sesame Flyers has
persevered through this pandemic.
We are here, our doors are open and
we are ready to serve!
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Become a Sesame Flyers International Volunteer!
By KEISHA SYDNEY, Outreach Coordinator
Hear from some of our Volunteers on
why they have committed their time to support the aims and vision of
Sesame Flyers International. If you are interested in joining our
volunteering group, Team Sunshine, please reach out to Ms. Keisha
Sydney, our Outreach Coordinator at ksydney@sesameflyers.org or
347-359-7789 for more information.
John Gerry Dickson, Sesame Flyers Volunteer
“Sesame Flyers longevity is a
testament to their success and durability. I volunteer so
 that
I can contribute to their various events and be a part of the transition
that highlights their contribution and impact to the community. It is my
desire that their continued promotion of the Caribbean heritage and
culture be expanded to an even greater level.”
Jo-Ann, Sesame Flyers Volunteer
“I volunteer because I want to be
part of a special organization that encompasses the Caribbean culture
with such inclusivity and does so year round. I want to share my culture
with the community and there’s no better place to do so than Sesame
Flyers. This organization has a vision that guides it, a standard by
which it operates, is open to ideas and remains curious. Come join us
and be part of something bigger than yourself.”
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Remembering Those We Have Lost
According to a recent study, African
American boys between the ages of 5 and 12 are more likely to die by
suicide than any other age group. Nationwide, suicides among Black
children under 18 are up 71 percent in the past decade. If you or
someone you know is struggling with mental health, we urge you please
seek assistance.
National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline : 1-800-273-8255
SFI Center For Family Support (CFS) : 718-221-8881
Please call for consultations &
resources.
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Build your Business and Serve the Community
Be a 2022 SYEP Worksite
Do your part to give a young person
the experience of a lifetime. Entrepreneurs, small and large have an
opportunity to show youth ages 16-21 how to establish good work habits
and learn what it means to run a business. Hosting a young person this
summer for six weeks from July 5 to August 13 for 25 hours per week can
make a life changing impact.
Participants who are randomly selected by a lottery are matched with a
worksite for the summer in a variety of industries from health care to
finance. The SYEP program is a success because local businesses have
shared their knowledge and wisdom while connecting our young people to
the benefits of a good work ethic.
Last summer Sesame Flyers was able to guide our participants though the
‘summer of recovery’. As part of that recovery, 74,884 participants
across the City were able to participate and receive a stipend or earn
minimum wage during the six-week program. 35 per cent of all
participants were Brooklyn residents and 91 per cent of all participants
lived in communities directly impacted by the ravages of the pandemic.
Over 900 youth aged 14-21 submitted applications to our agency. Youth
from the East Flatbush, Crown Heights, Canarsie, and East New York
neighborhoods selected Sesame Flyers as their provider for this very
special summer.
Given the reality of the current health emergency facing our City, the
focus was on transitioning to a quality work experience for our youth
while addressing the health and safety of our participants in a Covid
environment. The 538 Participants enrolled by Sesame Flyers
International engaged in a combination of in person, hybrid, and virtual
work readiness assignments or, synchronous and asynchronous career
exploration exercises. Special attention was given to providing teens
with the tools necessary to cultivate healthy social and emotional
relationships and bolster mental health awareness. The summer provided a
transitional pathway and innovative options to connect our youth to
rewarding work experiences that allowed them to participate and earn
minimum wage while keeping health and safety paramount.
Sponsored by the New York City Department of Youth and Community
Development, the SYEP program has innovated web based application and
payroll systems for the participants which are accessible through mobile
devices. SYEP Participants are issued payroll cards and those who have
bank accounts are paid through direct deposit. The digital resources of
Hats and Ladders for career exploration, YDI for the Project Based
Learning and Workplace Challenge curricula complement the work based
experience. We acknowledge the agency’s extraordinary efforts
particularly during these uncertain times. We look forward to working
with DYCD as it continues to innovative and deliver quality work
opportunities for the youth of our City.
This summer we hope to provide our Older Youth with a variety of work
readiness experiences that include in person, virtual, and hybrid
assignments in the community as well as opportunities to complete
Professional Training and Development though the Hats & Ladders portal.
Youth aged 14 and 15 will again participate in Project Based Learning
experiences related to growing industries. Here they develop the soft
skills required for success including team work, creativity, and
customer service. Youth who participate in the Project Based experiences
can earn up to $700 in stipends.
If you own a local business, you can provide an in person, virtual, or
hybrid work experience to a young person that will last a lifetime.
Worksite applications are available now, you may get started with the
online pre app
HERE. Contact
sfisyep@sesameflyers.org for a hardcopy application. The
worksite application deadline is June 6, 2022. For more information,
click the
DYCD link.
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