Young people are often described as unmotivated, disengaged, or disconnected, but the reality is more straightforward: access is the issue. For many teenagers in New York City and cities across America, the challenge is not a lack of drive. It is a lack of consistent access to opportunities. When that access exists, the impact tends to extend well beyond a single job or experience.

At Avenues for Justice (AFJ), we work with Court-Involved and Preventive young people, ages 13 to 24, by providing consistent wraparound support. This includes court advocacy, our HIRE Up program for job readiness, educational support, mental health services, mentorship, and more. The goal is to ensure that young people not only gain access to opportunity, but also have the support needed to move forward from the exposure.

Meet Kaylin

Kaylin is one of those young people. She came through AFJ's doors in 2025 at the age of 16. Over the course of her time with AFJ, Kaylin has interned at two of our HIRE Up business partners: Yummy Tummy’s Kitchen and 2 Chix. From her internships, she has gained hands-on experience in culinary arts, customer service, and an understanding of the day-to-day operations of a managing a kitchen.

When asked about her first day at these jobs, Kaylin focused on how she showed up, and shared that "in every kitchen, there is a way the chef likes to do things. So, I tried my best to absorb that information first before having my own reservations. Not only so I can do my job correctly, but so I can learn methods I can carry with me in the future." That kind of awareness, the instinct to listen and learn, is exactly what employers say is hardest to teach.

Having found a passion for food and baking through her AFJ internships, Kaylin will attend the Culinary Institute of America this fall after being accepted into two prestigious culinary schools, including Johnson & Wales University.

When Potential Outpaces Access

Kaylin’s story reflects a broader reality. The potential she demonstrates is not uncommon, but access to consistent opportunities often is. Across the country, millions of young people remain disconnected from both school and work, not because they lack ability, but because clear pathways are limited.

Kaylin is not an exception. She is an example of what becomes possible when the conditions are right. Programs like HIRE Up are designed to address this gap by connecting young people to employment while also providing the support systems that help them succeed. However, these programs are often under-resourced and not always accessible to the young people who would benefit most.

New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program serves approximately 100,000 young people each year, yet demand continues to exceed capacity, with participation determined by lottery³.

The research is there. The demand is documented. What remains limited is not evidence of effectiveness, but the resources required to expand access.

How Opportunity Compounds

Experiences like Kaylin’s show that the value of youth employment extends beyond financial compensation. Having meaningful work, clear responsibilities, and a sense that effort leads to positive outcomes can shape how young people engage not only in the workplace, but in other areas of their lives as well.

Through her internship, Kaylin developed what she describes as “people skills,” recognizing that success in culinary environments depends on more than technical ability.

 As Kaylin continued in her internship, she built relationships that extended beyond her immediate role. She connected with chef Melissa Johnson, who later invited her to participate in a news segment highlighting Black business ownership. An opportunity that emerged through consistent engagement and visibility.

Why Support Matters

Today, Kaylin is preparing for college while also running her own business, Substantial, a juice brand she created. Kaylin’s experience reflects what is possible when opportunity is paired with consistent support. It is also a reminder that these outcomes are not guaranteed without investment. Supporting AFJ means contributing to a model that helps young people build experience, develop confidence, and move toward long-term stability.

Sources

[1] Office of the New York State Comptroller. “DiNapoli: Youth in NYC Face Double Digit Unemployment Rate.” June 2025.
[2] Reconnecting Youth Campaign. reconnectingyouthcampaign.org

[3] NYC DYCD SYEP 2025 Annual Report

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