Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area expands CareerLaunch program

TROY, N.Y. >> Recently, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area (BGCCA) and Bank of America announced that a new workforce development program will be expanding to the BGCCA’s Albany location. CareerLaunch is the BGCCA’s workforce preparation program for youth ages 16 to 24 and successfully operates at the Troy Clubhouse.

Thanks to a $50,000 grant from Bank of America, the expanded program will allow the organization to reach even more young people with professional guidance and skillbuilding opportunities. The program also uniquely offers participants all the resources they need to succeed, such as transportation, nutritious food, and identification documents.

Through CareerLaunch, youth get the chance to explore various careers based on their interests and talents, determine the corresponding educational path they need to pursue, and map out a plan for their future. The program incorporates the three pillars of BGCCA’S Workforce Development Framework:

1. Pillar One: Career exploration and matching. Through career exploration and matching, youth learn about and explore various careers and career pathways. They also reflect on and explore their strengths, interests, and passions, with the opportunity to match their interests to potential careers.

2. Pillar Two: Skills development (essential workplace skills). Through a focus on skills development, youth gain the knowledge and build the abilities that are essential for the workplace, including skills such as communication, active listening, setting priorities, professionalism, and ethical behavior.

3. Pillar Three: Work-based learning experiences. Through partnerships with community organizations, along with BGCA programs such as Junior Staff, youth have the opportunity to gain real-world work experience and job-readiness skills as they engage in summer jobs, internships, or other part-time employment.

“The program is designed to help youth get around immediate barriers, easing their present needs by creating the proper environment for planning and training in a livable wage career. While on the road to a career the youth receive financial literacy training and professional mentorship to ensure they have all the tools needed to take ownership of their futures,” Ishmael Morton, Director at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area, shared.

Collaborating with Bank of America for this expansion was a natural fit, as Bank of America is committed to supporting the long-term economic mobility of the communities it serves. Workforce development and education opportunities for young people are a vital part of this economic mobility. Through the support of organizations like the BGCCA, Bank of America works to connect youth to the skills, resources, and experience they need to succeed.

“The past year has pushed us all to focus on what is most important for the long-term success of our communities, and at the top of the list are our youth,” David Cornell, President, Bank of America Albany/Hudson Valley, said.

“Through this new partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area, this targeted, successproven opportunity will expand youth workforce development and professional programming into Albany. We look forward to seeing the opportunities that will transform the futures of CareerLaunch program alumni in Albany, along with their peers across the river in Troy,” Cornell added.

CareerLaunch participants will receive a stipend for completing the program and an additional stipend to purchase workforce-related supplies, such as clothes for interviews, appropriate footwear for jobs, and more. If you would like more information about enrollment or how to become a volunteer or partner, contact Ishmael Morton, at imorton@ bgccapitalarea.org.