Young Men's Initiative311Search all NYC.gov websites
Past Programs
Adolescent Behavioral Learning Experience (ABLE)
ABLE is designed to help young people at Rikers Island improve their decision making and problem solving skills, so that they can stay on the right path after they return to their communities.
Community Education Pathway to Success
Through Community Education Pathways, community organizations will provide reading and writing classes for young adults on probation. The classes will be for young people who aren't ready yet to the GED.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Through DBT, mental health experts will provide specially structured group therapy sessions to young people at Rikers Island who need mental health care. In addition to the group sessions, DBTalso includes individual care so that every young person can get the treatment they need.
Expanded Training and Employment Opportunities
Through YMI, the City is providing more funds to programs that help connect young people to employment training, careers, specialized training, and paid internships.
Leveraging Innovations and Neighborhoods in the Knowledge Economy (LINK) Initiatives
LINK is a set of pilot programs designed to help neighborhoods increase their income by identifying industries that need more talent. The LINK program is comprised of three initiatives: Low Income Fast Track (LIFT) Entrepreneurship program, DigitalWork, and Learning through an Expanded Arts Program (LEAP).
- The LIFT Entrepreneurship program supports low-income entrepreneurs in the Fordham area of the Bronx as they start and grow businesses by providing space and technical support, access to loans, and partnerships with local anchor institutions. Proposals to operate the entrepreneurship incubator program are currently being reviewed, and selection is expected this summer.
- DigitalWork provides computer skills training, online work engagement, and assistance with education or work placement. Sites are currently focusing on providing career counseling and support services to recent training graduates with a focus on placement in jobs, internships and/or additional education/training.
- The LEAP Program provides "Soft Skills" Bootcamp, paid internship placement, and assistance with job placement to Associate's Degree students in high-demand fields, in order to improve their preparation for and placement in jobs in their fields of study. Targeted fields of study are Healthcare IT, General Business and IT, Early Childhood Education, and Web-based Work.
Mentoring For R.E.A.L.
Mentoring for R.E.A.L. provides school-based and community-based mentoring to Black and Latino male high school students who have had contact with the juvenile justice system, have previous school suspensions or at risk of school suspensions.
Sex Education
New York City now requires that all public middle and high schools teach sex education. Sexual health education lessons are important because we have a responsibility to provide our students with accurate information and communication skills to help them make decisions that can keep them healthy and safe. The Department of Education, working with health experts and local community boards, has created an age-appropriate curriculum for schools to use. Partners can get their families off to a healthy start by waiting until they are both ready to become parents.
Transitioned to another agency:
Court-based Intervention and Research Teams (CIRTs)
The CIRTs are a court-based alternative for NYC Department of Correction inmates who have mental health issues. For qualifying inmates, the CIRTs provide case management, linkages to mental health treatment, and community-based supervision.
Expanded Success Initiative
Through the Expanded Success Initiative, YMI will invest in successful schools for black and Latino boys. This will increase the number of black and Latino graduates who are ready for college and careers. After three years, the practices that have worked best in these schools will be used in schools all over the City.
Individualized Correction Achievement Network (I-CAN)
I-CAN provides young people 19 years old or older who are detained at Rikers Island with special supportive services from community-based organizations. These services are designed to help young people successfully transition back into their neighborhoods after they leave Rikers Island.
NYC Success Mentors
The NYC Success Mentors helps students who miss school improve their attendance. Success Mentors can be high school seniors, teachers, or volunteers.
Summer Youth Employment Program
The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) provides New York City youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with paid summer employment for up to six weeks in July and August.
Work Progress Program
Through the Work Progress program, community-based organizations can place young people into jobs and pay them wages with funds provided by YMI. Participants work between five and nineteen hours every work, for one to five weeks.