December 17, 2020 marked the end of YOU Boston’s 2020 Fall Virtual Program.
Over the course of the 12 week season, 66 youth were placed into one of five virtual career cohorts where they received training in their chosen field by an industry professional. In addition to their career training, youth rounded out their week with work-readiness curriculum and took part in workshops offered by our partners at One Love, The Peer Health Exchange, and Mass Mentoring Partnership.
Check out some of the highlights from this season’s cohorts:
Baking and Pastry Arts: Facilitated by Finesse Pastries
Participants in our Baking and Pastry Arts Cohort received training from Chelsey Erickson of Finesse Pastries. Throughout the season the cohort gained skills in both American and European style pastry making and baking. Participants also learned about food safety, baking methodology, and made some delicious desserts in the process.
Media Arts: Facilitated by The Loop Lab
Led by Moses Michel of the Cambridge-based non-profit, The Loop Lab, Media Arts participants learned about the techniques and skills necessary for audio and video-based career pathways. Participants learned how to tell a story through media using different technology platforms and artistic techniques. At the end of the program season, each participant created a video and audio project on a topic of their choice.
Video Project by Luis R. “Nature in Mexico”: Luis provides a glimpse into the daily lives of some of the local wildlife he encounters in Mexico, and introduces us to the ‘cute and vicious’ Coati:
Podcast Project by Joshua M. “From Dominican Republic to the United States”: Interested in the experiences of immigrants and their families, Joshua sits down with fellow Bostonians who have emigrated from the Dominican Republic, and asks them to share their stories:
Cosmetology: Facilitated by Moda Deluxe Studio
The Cosmetology Cohort took part in weekly workshops led by Kyra Hunter of Moda Deluxe Studio. Participants were provided with their own supplies and spent the season learning about cosmetology theory, hair, nail and skincare, and developed skills in hair cutting, styling, coloring and more. They were also introduced to different career fields and specialties within cosmetology, and learned about what it takes to run your own salon.
Health and Wellness: Facilitated by Nick Bendixen
In sessions facilitated by virtual instructor Nick Bendixen, participants in the Health and Wellness Cohort explored a number of careers within the health and wellness field. Throughout the season they learned about the importance of preventative health care, gained insight on nutrition, took part in virtual group strength training workouts, and practiced yoga, mediation and relaxation techniques. Participants even got the chance to create and lead the group through their own workout routines using the skills they gained throughout the season.
STEM Cohort: Facilitated by Strong Women in Action (SWIA)
YOU Boston partnered with Strong Women in Action (SWIA) to offer participants training in the fundamentals of careers in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. These participants gained exposure to a number of STEM career options, and used the skills they gained to engage and lead middle school students through weekly STEM-based projects.
STEM Cohort Participant Stacey S. shared some words about her experience in the program in a recent SWIA highlight:
YOU Boston will be continuing to offer our virtual programming through winter and spring 2021, to refer a young person please visit our referral page here.
If you would like to help provide more vital work experiences to Boston young people, please visit our donation page today.
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