For immediate release
NYC EXECUTIVES LAUNCH NON-PROFIT FOR STUDENTS IN RESPONSE TO DECLINING CAREER SERVICES AND INTERNSHIPS SINCE RECESSION
Organization Founded on the ‘Power of Networks’ Narrows
Opportunity Gap between New York City Public
School Students and Corporate
NEW YORK, February 3, 2003 – Responding to an increasing opportunity gap among high school students due to the city’s economic recession, a group of young New York executives has joined forces to launch a program for public school students in lower Manhattan, its founders announced today.
Dedicated to developing future leaders from within the public school system, The New York Opportunity Network (NYON) introduces talented, low-income high school students to career development and networking opportunities through relationships with New York City professionals and private sector organizations. Through a classroom series and internships, the students are exposed to careers in such diverse industries as finance, magazine publishing, consulting, public relations, fashion, marketing and law.
“Recent labor statistics reflect a steep decline in employment for young adults over the past year and a half,” said Brian S. Weinstein, Founder and Executive Director of NYON. “Since early work experience and access to networks are critical determining factors in securing the best jobs later on, we wanted to level the playing field for kids with limited opportunities,” he added. As corporations have fewer resources in this economy, NYON serves as a link between motivated students and executives committed to social change. Participating executives work at such as companies Pfizer Inc., Mercer Inc., Skadden Arps, People Magazine and The Leslie Fay Company Inc.
Given its close proximity to Ground Zero, NYON’s first partner school -- The High School for Leadership and Public Service -- welcomes the chance to help its students make positive contributions to the business community during the revitalization of the downtown area. “A core component our school’s mission is to provide leadership training to our students,” said Ada Rosario Dolch, the school’s principal and a recognized leader in public education, who was a key figure in the rebuilding of the school
community after 9-11. “We’ve seen many fewer of these opportunities over the last year,
so we are delighted to welcome NYON to our school.”
The NYON model is a fit with the current economic environment. With low funding needs and modest time commitments expected from its participating executives, NYON
 |
relies on a broad network of corporate professionals and advisors. “The way we built this program is a testament in itself to the power of networks, the kind we’re helping our students build,” said Jessica K. Switzer, co-founder and deputy director of the program. “We tapped into our personal and professional networks and managed to pull together an influential and highly engaged set of people, excited by the program’s mission.”
NYON opened its doors with a sold-out benefit on January 23, and school sessions began on January 29 and culminate with internships the week of June 23. Mr. Weinstein, a litigation associate at law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and Ms. Switzer, marketing manager at Mercer Delta Consulting, Inc. a management consulting firm, founded NYON and provide leadership to the organization and the core group of professionals who make up the program. NYON’s web site may be found at www.nyopportunitynetwork.org.
Press Contact: Jessica Switzer, Co-Founder and Deputy Director
The New York Opportunity Network
Phone: 917-562-5080
Email: jessica@nyopportunitynetwork.org
# # #
|