Since January 2021, YOU Boston has offered two 9-week-long virtual career cohort cycles; our Winter cycle, which ran from January to March, and our Spring cycle which ran from April to May.
Over both cycles, 144 youth were placed into one of six career cohorts including Baking and Pastry Arts, Barista/Customer Service, Graphic Design, Health and Wellness, Media Arts, as well as a STEM field offered by our partners at Strong Women in Action (SWIA). Each team member received industry specific supplies so they could practice their skills along with their instructors at home.
In addition to their time learning job skills with their cohort, youth also had the opportunity to take part in workshops offered by the Peer Health Exchange, and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) , as well as a ‘meet the industry’ event facilitated by iZotope, and career exploration activities through National Grid’s Grid for Good Program.
Included below are a few highlights from our Winter and Spring Cycles:
Baking and Pastry Arts, Facilitated by Sarah Cravedi
Participants in our winter and spring Baking and Pastry Arts Cohorts received training from Virtual Instructor, Sarah Cravedi. Youth turned their home kitchens into a classroom as they learned the ins-and-outs of pastry making and baking. Participants also learned about food safety and handling, baking methodology and techniques, and made some delicious (and beautiful) desserts along the way.
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Barista and Customer Service, Facilitated by Kaleena Teoh at Coffee Project NY
Under the direction of virtual instructor, Kaleena Teoh, our Barista and Customer Service cohort participants learned about the art of coffee-making and production. Youth used industry tools to practice their skills and got creative in coming up with new methods to create their own signature drinks. Youth also got to practice the customer-service skills they would need to work in a fast-paced customer-orientated working environment.
Graphic Design, Facilitated by Kiarra Julien
With knowledge and expertise from virtual instructor Kiarra Julien, participants learned graphic design principles and industry techniques. Using Adobe software they also learned how to create digital drawings, logos, advertisements, and social media content. Due to a special donation from our partners at Tech Goes Home, youth were also provided with Apple Macbooks they could use to make their creations and practice their skills.
Media Arts, Facilitated by The Loop Lab
Our winter and spring Media Arts cohorts were once again led by our partners at The Loop Lab, with Moses Michel serving as instructor. Throughout the season participants got creative in creating audio and video-based media. While learning industry-specific terminology and methods, youth also used different platforms and artistic techniques to tell a story, while also getting a head start into media-based career pathways.
Health and Wellness, Facilitated by Kira Lam
Led by instructor Kira Lam, participants in the Health and Wellness Cohort explored the many facets of careers in the health and wellness field. Cohort members took part in virtual, group strength training workouts and relaxation exercises. They also learned about CPR, body anatomy, and the importance of health education and preventative care.
Throughout the season, cohort members created their own wellness presentations and videos demonstrating some of the skills they had acquired.
If you would like to help provide more vital work experience like these to Boston young people, please visit our donation page today.
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