(Fortune Society’s Glenn Martin speaks to employers about Ban the Box. Photo: Department of Probation)

New York City is doing its part to “level the playing field” for qualified job seekers who have prior convictions. The Young Men’s Initiative, in partnership with the Human Services Council and Fortune Society, is hosting leadership training sessions for human service providers who do business with the City. They’re learning how Executive Order 151, also known as “Ban the Box”, and recent revisions to the Human Services Standard Contract change the application process to give prospective employees with prior convictions a fair shot.

At the first training, employers heard from Department of Probation Commissioner Vincent Schiraldi about the importance of expanding their applicant pool by considering qualified New Yorkers with criminal convictions. Two young men with criminal convictions also spoke about the difficulties of finding a job because of the stigma embedded in the application.

There are two more sessions available: November 14^thand 16^th. Learn more and sign up.

Read Executive Order 151

Since its launch in August 2011, the Young Men’s Initiative has impacted the lives of nearly 4,000 young men across New York City. The Year One results are highlighted in the newly-released Young Men’s Initiative 2012 Annual Report found here: http://on.nyc.gov/SzY8Lg. Learn all about the 40+ programs and policies that make up the Young Men’s Initiative and how we’re tracking progress.

“We created the Young Men’s Initiative because we were committed to finding new ways for young black and Latino men to succeed in their lives – and we’re encouraged by the progress we’ve made just a year later,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “From implementing an aggressive agenda designed to effectively intervene at the most critical moments to bringing black and Latino young men together with adult mentors, we are making a difference in young people’s lives. We will continue to take aggressive steps to ensure that all New Yorkers are able to fully participate in the promise our city holds.”

Some of the results over the past year include:

• 366 young adults placed into jobs through Work Progress
  
• 5,086 people engaged with the City about the Get your ID campaign
• 320 participants served through the Young Adult Literacy Program,
  
• AND MORE….! - www.nyc.gov/youngmen
  

We’re proud to announce the launch of the Young Men’s Initiative Tumblr page. This is where you’ll find information on program updates, events, interviews with participants, and more! You can follow the Young Men’s Initiative on twitter @nycyoungmen to receive notifications when new posts are added! And visit us at our new digital home: www.nyc.gov/youngmen.

Jamaica NeON. Opened July 17, 2012 (Above)
South Bronx NeON. Opened August 28, 2012 (Middle)
Staten Island NeON. Opened September 27, 2012 (Below)

Hundreds of more people on probation are now able to access a range of services when they visit their probation officer at offices located right in their own neighborhood! That’s because three new Neighborhood Opportunity Networks  (NeONs) opened over the summer and one in September: one in South Jamaica at 162-24 Jamaica Avenue another in the South Bronx at 198 E. 161st St and one on Staten Island at 340 Bay St. Together they’ll serve more than 1,000 people on probation by connecting them to local programs, opportunities, and resources.

There are now five NeONs located throughout the city, including in Brownsville and Harlem. 

Each NeON is connected to a network of education, business, and community-based organizations – including literacy and skills building programs, work and employment preparation, health care, academic and technical education and mentoring.

To read more about the NeONs visit our website: www.nyc.gov/youngmen

These lucky students got the chance to meet Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz during training camp in Albany. It was all part of theFive Ways Education Pays campaign.

Cruz talked with the students after practice about his newly-released autobiographyOut of the Blue. The students were challenged to read the 304-page book during the summer and answer questions on how education played a role in Cruz’s road to stardom.

Cruz also asked the students his own questions; what they thought of the book and how they planned on incorporating education into their professional and personal lives. That’s not all! The University of Massachusetts alum spent some time, of course, signing footballs, t-shirts, headphones and more!

The Five Ways Education Pays Campaign is a two-year initiative to increase college awareness and aspirations in black and Latino middle school boys and their families by promoting the five concrete ways that going to college pays off in the long run: higher income, better health, more security, strong communities, and closer families. - www.nyc.gov/youngmen

(Mayor Bloomberg shakes hands with CUNY Fatherhood Academy grads)

The first group of graduates from the CUNY Fatherhood Academy were recognized during a ceremony at LaGuardia Community College on September 12, 2012. Mayor Michael Bloomberg addressed the 22 graduates as well as the incoming class.

“We cannot overestimate the importance that fathers play in their children’s lives,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “The CUNY Fatherhood Academy is promoting the goals of the Young Men’s Initiative to strengthen family connections and educational and employment opportunities by teaching young fathers to become responsible caregivers, while helping them learn skills that will increase their employment options.”

The Fatherhood Academy prepares 18-24 year old fathers for employment and entry into higher education, promotes responsible fatherhood and strengthen families’ economic stabillity.

Of the 22 fathers who graduated this year, 13 now have permanent employment, six have enrolled at LaGuardia as incoming freshman, and four have taken and passed the G.E.D. exam.

During the ceremony, the National Fatherhood Initiative presented the Mayor with a Fatherhood Award for his committment to strengthening families through responsible fatherhood.

In addition to academic and career assistance, fathers are given opportunities to develop personally through a series of group activities that will address men’s health, self -motivation, conflict resolution, and financial literacy.

www.nyc.gov/youngmen

We’re proud to announce the second class of the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council! They stopped by City Hall to learn more about the Young Men’s Initiative and city government. The Council is made up of 20 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from across the five boroughs.

Their work is just beginning. They will be working with our partner organization, Coro New York, a nonprofit leadership and educational group, throughout the year. The students will learn about leadership development and research to provide the Young Men’s Initiative with a critical youth voice about policies affecting young people. They’ll even get a chance to advise decision makers in the Mayor’s Office and City agencies.

We can’t wait to hear what they have to say!

www.nyc.gov/youngmen