NEW YORK CITY, NY - The City is currently addressing a critical funding issue that poses a threat to the Learning to Work program—a vital initiative supporting 16,000 at-risk students. The program, with a budgetary shortfall of $32 million out of its $40 million budget, heavily relies on federal emergency COVID funding, set to expire on June 30.
New York City is significantly reducing its police force, closing schools to accommodate undocumented aliens, and allocating $53 million in prepaid cards for them.
As the city directs resources toward supporting illegal immigrants, 16,000 at-risk students are facing the elimination of their financial aid program. The financial aid program for at-risk students in NYC is jeopardized due to the loss of federal stimulus funds, coinciding with increased spending on immigrant-related initiatives by the city.
Michael De Vito, executive director of the New York Center for Interpersonal Development, has pointed to the city's focus on addressing the migrant crisis as one contributing factor to the program's financial crunch. The broader economic challenges and competing priorities present Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council with the complex task of filling the budgetary gap while addressing the needs of vulnerable students.
“We constantly have to remind people that we even exist,” De Vito said. “It seems like the network [of alternative programs] at large is just an afterthought.”
The impact of the migrant crisis on the Learning to Work program has raised concerns. De Vito suggests that the influx of illegal immigrants is affecting the flow of funding to the program, as resources are redirected to address the challenges posed by the growing migrant population.
The Learning to Work program, considered essential by proponents, plays a crucial role in supporting students facing various challenges, including academic setbacks, criminal records, and homelessness. However, the looming uncertainty surrounding its funding puts the program's continuation at risk, particularly for teens with the greatest needs.
Utilizing the Learning to Work program, Ariana Rivadeneira, aged 22, completed her studies at West Brooklyn Community High School in 2023. Reflecting on her experience, Rivadeneira remarked, "I was able to channel my focus and realign my entire educational trajectory towards school." She successfully graduated a year ago and currently serves as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
The practical work experiences, she said, provided Rivadeneira and her fellow students with an opportunity to "explore what life could offer beyond the confines of academia – it wasn't just about school or the obligation to graduate."
The city's allocation of more than $7 billion in federal stimulus funding to various initiatives, including Learning to Work, initially appeared prudent during the pandemic. However, the lack of planning and direction from City Hall and the Council in response to the loss of federal pandemic dollars has left advocates and program administrators in a state of uncertainty.
Advocates argue that the success of the Learning to Work program lies not only in its academic support but also in its holistic approach, providing small learning environments, intensive attendance outreach, counseling, work-based learning, post-graduate planning, and job training. The unique program has demonstrated success in keeping students out of jail, supporting those experiencing homelessness, and significantly increasing graduation rates, especially for those participating in internships.
Despite the program's positive impact, a City Department of Education representative stated that the funding for the Learning to Work program remains uncertain. While emphasizing the importance of creating and deepening career pathway opportunities for young people, the spokesperson provided no concrete plan for financing the program beyond the expiring federal stimulus dollars.
“Creating and deepening career pathway opportunities for young people is of the utmost importance for New York City Public Schools. While no final decisions have been made, we are engaging with Learning to Work providers as we plan for next year and beyond and recognize the importance of this impactful programming for our city’s young people,” said DOE spokesperson Chyann Tull.
“As with all programs funded by expiring federal stimulus dollars, we continue to advocate to our state and local partners to identify new funding to sustain these programs after this year.”
In addition to the financial uncertainties, the impact of the migrant crisis on the city's budget further complicates the situation. The influx of illegal immigrants is seen as a contributing factor to the city's shifting priorities, diverting resources from essential programs like Learning to Work.
As the city addresses competing priorities and financial constraints, advocates for the Learning to Work program emphasize the need for attention and a clear plan to ensure the future of this initiative. The intersection of the migrant crisis and funding uncertainties points to the challenges involved in meeting the needs of vulnerable students while managing broader fiscal issues.
The potential loss of this program poses a threat to the educational pathways of 16,000 at-risk students and showcases the complex challenges faced by the city in navigating its financial landscape.
“We’re being told the city has to focus on other priorities, that the city needs additional resources for the migrants,” De Vito said. “It’s becoming political. We don’t want to be political. We want our young people taken care of.”
New York City is significantly reducing its police force, closing schools to accommodate undocumented aliens, and allocating $53 million in prepaid cards for them.
As the city directs resources toward supporting illegal immigrants, 16,000 at-risk students are facing the elimination of their financial aid program. The financial aid program for at-risk students in NYC is jeopardized due to the loss of federal stimulus funds, coinciding with increased spending on immigrant-related initiatives by the city.
Michael De Vito, executive director of the New York Center for Interpersonal Development, has pointed to the city's focus on addressing the migrant crisis as one contributing factor to the program's financial crunch. The broader economic challenges and competing priorities present Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council with the complex task of filling the budgetary gap while addressing the needs of vulnerable students.
“We constantly have to remind people that we even exist,” De Vito said. “It seems like the network [of alternative programs] at large is just an afterthought.”
The impact of the migrant crisis on the Learning to Work program has raised concerns. De Vito suggests that the influx of illegal immigrants is affecting the flow of funding to the program, as resources are redirected to address the challenges posed by the growing migrant population.
The Learning to Work program, considered essential by proponents, plays a crucial role in supporting students facing various challenges, including academic setbacks, criminal records, and homelessness. However, the looming uncertainty surrounding its funding puts the program's continuation at risk, particularly for teens with the greatest needs.
Utilizing the Learning to Work program, Ariana Rivadeneira, aged 22, completed her studies at West Brooklyn Community High School in 2023. Reflecting on her experience, Rivadeneira remarked, "I was able to channel my focus and realign my entire educational trajectory towards school." She successfully graduated a year ago and currently serves as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
The practical work experiences, she said, provided Rivadeneira and her fellow students with an opportunity to "explore what life could offer beyond the confines of academia – it wasn't just about school or the obligation to graduate."
The city's allocation of more than $7 billion in federal stimulus funding to various initiatives, including Learning to Work, initially appeared prudent during the pandemic. However, the lack of planning and direction from City Hall and the Council in response to the loss of federal pandemic dollars has left advocates and program administrators in a state of uncertainty.
Advocates argue that the success of the Learning to Work program lies not only in its academic support but also in its holistic approach, providing small learning environments, intensive attendance outreach, counseling, work-based learning, post-graduate planning, and job training. The unique program has demonstrated success in keeping students out of jail, supporting those experiencing homelessness, and significantly increasing graduation rates, especially for those participating in internships.
Despite the program's positive impact, a City Department of Education representative stated that the funding for the Learning to Work program remains uncertain. While emphasizing the importance of creating and deepening career pathway opportunities for young people, the spokesperson provided no concrete plan for financing the program beyond the expiring federal stimulus dollars.
“Creating and deepening career pathway opportunities for young people is of the utmost importance for New York City Public Schools. While no final decisions have been made, we are engaging with Learning to Work providers as we plan for next year and beyond and recognize the importance of this impactful programming for our city’s young people,” said DOE spokesperson Chyann Tull.
“As with all programs funded by expiring federal stimulus dollars, we continue to advocate to our state and local partners to identify new funding to sustain these programs after this year.”
In addition to the financial uncertainties, the impact of the migrant crisis on the city's budget further complicates the situation. The influx of illegal immigrants is seen as a contributing factor to the city's shifting priorities, diverting resources from essential programs like Learning to Work.
As the city addresses competing priorities and financial constraints, advocates for the Learning to Work program emphasize the need for attention and a clear plan to ensure the future of this initiative. The intersection of the migrant crisis and funding uncertainties points to the challenges involved in meeting the needs of vulnerable students while managing broader fiscal issues.
The potential loss of this program poses a threat to the educational pathways of 16,000 at-risk students and showcases the complex challenges faced by the city in navigating its financial landscape.
“We’re being told the city has to focus on other priorities, that the city needs additional resources for the migrants,” De Vito said. “It’s becoming political. We don’t want to be political. We want our young people taken care of.”
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Comments
2024-03-13T07:33+0530 | Comment by: Nelson
So basically What you're saying is screw the American kids we are going to help the illegal aliens That's messed up
2024-03-13T15:41+0530 | Comment by: Karen
The clowns running New York will be re-elected. Democrats are their own worse enemies.