Avenues for Justice Introduces New Curriculum for Job Readiness

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In 2023, Avenues for Justice (AFJ) launched our inaugural internship placement of 8-week paid internships with two cohorts in the spring and fall. Spearheaded by AFJ’s Job Developer, Shantel, with lead support from Court Advocate, Julia, our HIRE Up job readiness program has provided our Participants with career paths in various industries as AFJ partners primarily with local, BIPOC-owned businesses. Since last year, we have placed 63 Participants in internships—empowering them with meaningful work experiences and professional development. This week, we want to highlight the continued enhancement of our job training program.

‍New Job-Readiness Curriculum

AFJ’s paid internship program now has a mandatory 8-day job readiness workshop which Participants must attend in order to be placed at a host site. Topics focus on internship expectations, effective communication skills, cover letter and resume writing, mock interviews with commonly asked questions, and workplace etiquette.

A community manager, from AFJ’s corporate partner JPMorgan Chase, taught Participants financial literacy with a focus on budgeting, bank accounts, and money goals. During one of the workshops, members of the FDNY spoke to Participants about career opportunities within the fire department. One of the firefighters shared his personal journey having been arrested as a teenager and dropping out of school. His story resonated with our Participants as he refused to let those setbacks define his future and recounted his path to stability. He explained how he took several city job exams before finding his calling with the FDNY, where he has proudly served ever since.

AFJ’s Job Developer, Shantel, praised the 14 Participants for completing the 8-day curriculum which prepared them for placements in industries such as hospitality, food and beverage, fitness, and technology. Shantel understands that “everyone’s journey to becoming employment ready is different, but we all agreed as a group that time management is critical.”

‍AFJ Partnership with Workforce1

In addition to our internship program, AFJ continues to broaden its employment partnerships. Last month, AFJ hosted an event with Workforce1 Industrial and Transportation Career Center at our Harlem Community Center. 17 AFJ Participants were interviewed and pre-screened for job opportunities and several Participants were able to schedule interviews as soon as the following day. AFJ’s partnership with the Workforce1 Industrial and Transportation Career Center is part of our HIRE Up efforts to expand job training, employment placement, and certification programming for our Participants. We are proud to report that two Participants have already been hired by a delivery service company.

If you are a local business owner interested in partnering with Avenues for Justice for internship placements for our Participants, please email AFJ’s Job Developer Shantel at sbrooks@avenuesforjustice.org.