For immediate release

IN TIME OF RECESSION AND BUDGET CUTS, NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL KIDS GET LIFT FROM CORPORATE EXECUTIVES

With First Year of Innovative Program Complete,                                                 Students See Value of “A Handshake and a Business Card”

NEW YORK, November 5, 2003 – Launching a PR campaign, pitching movie ideas to studio executive, starting a fashion business and trying a criminal case: all activities undertaken by public school students as part of an innovative career development and networking program embarking on its second year, according to its founders.

Responding to the city’s economic recession, resulting in fewer career opportunities for New York’s public schools, The New York Opportunity Network (NYON) introduced a group of public high school students to career development and networking opportunities through relationships with New York City professionals and private sector organizations.  With a successful pilot year at The High School for Leadership and Public Service reaching its close, the group will now expand to additional schools.

“Although the immediate effect of the recession is high unemployment now, a secondary consequence plays out later,” said Brian S. Weinstein, Founder and Executive Director of NYON.  “A lack of preparedness and early job experience for kids with limited opportunities will force them to compete in the future on an uneven playing field, with kids who have had more advantages.”  Working with corporate executives from companies like Pfizer Inc., Mercer Inc., Time Inc. and Skadden Arps, NYON has offered these kids unusual access to a wide range of career experiences.

In addition to introducing its students to different professions, the program helps them cultivate networking skills.  “The kids now understand everything from how to exchange a good handshake and a business card to how to use contacts to explore careers and get jobs,” said Jessica Switzer, co-founder and executive director. “These things are too often overlooked but can be determining factors in who gets ahead and who doesn’t.”

NYON opened its doors in September 2003. Mr. Weinstein, a litigation associate at law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and Ms. Switzer, marketing manager at Mercer Delta Consulting,. a management consulting firm, founded NYON and provide leadership to the organization and the group of professionals who make up the program.

Press Contact:            Jessica Switzer, The New York Opportunity Network

Phone: 917-562-5080

Email: jessica@nyopportunitynetwork.org