Opportunity Youth Programs

Young Adults (Ages 16-24)
Bronx, The Jack and Shirley Silver Hub, Youth Opportunity Hub

Overview

Want to learn more about our programs? Join us for weekly virtual information sessions Wednesdays at 1pm!

The term “Opportunity Youth” refers to those between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither in school nor working. This may be due to a variety of reasons- including barriers such as homelessness, pregnancy or parenting, or involvement with the juvenile justice or child welfare systems.

The negative effects of this disconnection are ongoing, resulting in lower incomes, higher unemployment rates, and negative physical and mental health outcomes. Young adults who are not in school or working represent untapped potential, or opportunity, for our nation.

We offer a comprehensive High School Equivalency program to help out of school young adults get back on the right track. We also offer medical certification programs for high school graduates who are not in college/have a college degree and are unemployed.

All of our Opportunity Youth Programs provide either a stipend or paid internships and career readiness classes to prepare our participants to enter the workforce. Programs include Advance & Earn and Train & Earn.


Opportunity Youth

Advance and Earn

Commonpoint is thrilled to be working with NYC DYCD (Department of Youth and Community Development) to offer Advance & Earn, a unique new program for young people between the ages of 16-24 who are not currently working or attending school and live in any of the 5 boroughs of New York City.

Eligibility requirements include:

  • Young people between the ages of 17 and 24 years old (18-24 for advanced training)
  • Residents of one of the five boroughs of New York City
  • Currently not working or in school
  • Willing to commit six months to the program
  • Legally authorized to work in New York City

Programs will be held at:

Commonpoint Youth Opportunity Hub
82-17 Parsons Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11432

Commonpoint Bronx (new location – click here to fill out our inquiry form!)
1665 Hoe Ave
Bronx, NY 10460

SCHEDULE: The next semester will start in January/February 2025.

Programs include:

Commonpoint provides GED Readiness Classes for those seeking to earn their High School Equivalency Diploma ages 17-24 (if you are outside this age range, please click here). In addition to academic classes, we also provide the following benefits:

  • Financial Incentives for Academic Improvement and Participation
  • Paid Internship Opportunities
  • Comprehensive Case Management Support
  • Work Readiness and Support Skills Classes
  • Technology Assistance as needed
  • College/Career Exploration Support
  • Valuable Job Credentialing or Certification Opportunities
  • Past Certifications offered include MOS, Security Guard, and National Retail Federation
  • Assistance with signing up for the GED Exam 

GED program will run for 20 weeks and you can expect to receive a weekly stipend or a paid internship. Classes are typically held from Monday – Friday, 10am-4pm.

To apply for our program in Queens (Youth Opportunity Hub in Jamaica) – click here.

To apply for our program in the Bronx, click here.

Pre-HSE (formerly pre-GED) classes are now being offered at Commonpoint for those who are looking to earn a high school equivalency diploma, but are in need of additional supportive service before entering HSE classes. These classes focus on improving math and literacy skills.

All applicants to the HSE Programs will need to take a TABEⓇ (Test of Adult Basic Education) Reading Test. The score on the TABE test will determine whether the applicant is eligible for the program and will be a factor in their placement in the program. Learn more about the test and do some practice questions here: https://tabetest.com/ 

Participants in both the Pre-HSE and HSE programs receive strong supportive services through case management, work readiness, and support skills classes. All participants are also provided assistance with registering for the GED exam and are eligible for financial incentives for demonstrating academic progress.

Did you know?  If you have already passed any NYS Regents Exams, you don’t need to take those subjects on the GED Exam! 

For individuals ages 18-24 who already have a HS diploma or equivalent, and who are not enrolled in college and don’t have a college degree, we offer a variety of high-demand certifications in the medical field, construction, and IT.

Medical certifications include EKG/Phlebotomy Tech, Certified Nurse Assistant, Pharmacy Tech, and Clinical Medical Administrative Assistant. Classes begin in February 2025 and are held at Access Institute (80-02 Kew Gardens Rd in Kew Gardens, Queens) from Mon-Thurs 10am-2pm, as well as our Bronx location.
Click here to apply to our medical training programs in Queens.
Click here to apply to our medical training programs in the Bronx (CNA, EKG/Phlebotomy, Pharmacy Tech)

We also offer a Construction Training program with the next semester beginning in February 2025. Construction training will run for 8-10 weeks and you can expect to receive job opportunities upon completing your certifications. Certifications include OSHA 30, 10 Hr Site Safety Training, 4 Hr Scaffold, 4 Hr Flagger, Silicia Awareness, F-60 Prep/Test, and NCCER CORE.
Classes are held at the Youth Opportunity Hub in Jamaica on Monday-Fridays from 4-8pm, as well as in the Bronx.
Click here to register for construction training (Queens).
Click here to apply to our construction training (Bronx)

New for January 2025, we are now offer a IT training program with Per Scholas! IT programs will run for 12-13 weeks and you can expect to earn your COMPTIA A+ Certification and Google IT Support Certification. Classes held Monday –  Friday from 9am-4pm. Click here to register.

Services include:

  • Certification Classes
  • Textbooks and uniform
  • Certification exam (first time)
  • Work Readiness and Support Skills Classes
  • Paid Internship Opportunities
  • Comprehensive Case Management
  • Job Placement Assistance

How to apply: To participate in this program, please fill out our eligibility form and we will contact you. For more information, contact work@commonpointqueens.org or text 908-460-9296.

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Train and Earn

Train & Earn (formerly the Out-of-School Youth Program) is a career pathways program that provides comprehensive job training and employment services, along with support services needed by participants to find a permanent job, obtain their high school equivalency if applicable, and access postsecondary education and training.  Train & Earn is for youth and young adults aged 16–24, who are not working and not in school, and meet certain eligibility requirements.

Eligibility requirements include:

  • Young people between the ages of 16 and 24 years old
  • Residents of one of the five boroughs of New York City
  • Currently not working or in school
  • Must meet income and other eligibility criteria
    • Reside in NYCHA or high poverty area
    • Pregnant or parenting
    • Currently or formerly received foster care services
    • Currently or formerly court involved
    • Homeless/Runaway
    • Receive SNAP or other public assistance
    • Have a disability 
    • Had an IEP in High School or Middle School
  • Must be a New York City resident
  • For Train and Earn medical certification programs offered through the Opportunity Youth Programs at Commonpoint, all applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and be 18 years of age.

SCHEDULE: Train and Earn Programs typically run on two 20-week semesters. 

Services include:

  • Certification Classes
  • Textbooks and uniform
  • Certification exam (first time)
  • Work Readiness and Support Skills Classes
  • Paid Internship Opportunities
  • Comprehensive Case Management
  • Job Placement Assistance

To participate in this program, please fill out our eligibility form here and we will contact you. For more information about our programs, contact Kelly McArdle at kmcardle@commonpoint.org

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Did you know?

Our wide variety of programs are available throughout the New York City Metropolitan Area! Browse our list of facilities to learn more about our core locations and program sites.