Summer Program Builds College & Career Skills

Next Generation Scholars Wrap Summer Program With New College and Career Skills

Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) and Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers (MMYC) hosted the Next Generation Scholars and Prince George’s County Summer Youth Enrichment Program (SYEP) closing ceremony this month at High Point High School. 
 
SYEP provides job readiness training to young people ranging from 14-24 years old. This summer’s cohort featured 42 students. LAYC offers workshops on college preparation, academic support, tutoring, goal setting, and financial aid. 
 
“What LAYC does and the SYEP program is give these youth who really want to learn skills a chance to really blossom and grow,” Christon H., a 20-year-old Mount St. Mary’s University student and recent graduate of Prince George’s County Public Schools. “For college and career readiness, I think it really helps because it helps your communication skills.” 
 
High Point High School in Beltsville, Md. is a United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA) Community School. Rosa Ayala is one of the school’s two Community School Coordinators and says the program is critical for family engagement ahead of the school year. 
 
“Seeing so many families who want to see and are supporting their students right now is really heartwarming,” Ayala said. “This is the starting point to everything we’ll be doing throughout the year, to engage with the students, find out what are their needs. Everything we do is for the families.” 
 
United Way NCA’s Community Schools initiative works to address attendance, behavior, and course performance. 
 
“It helps develop my character more as a person,” rising high school senior Christine said. “I got to get more out of my comfort zone.” 
 
Next Generation Scholars participants also went on field trips to local universities, job readiness training, and career exploration. They also offered classes on social-emotional health, financial literacy, nutrition and wellness, and cultural awareness.