Comptroller Thompson Celebrates Disability Awareness Month

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. honored Nellie Velez, CUNY YTDP Parent Advocate, and five other disability advocates at his Disability Awareness Month celebration at Surrogate's Court on November 19, 2008. CUNY YTDP Project Directors Bill Tully and John McParland also attended the event. (Photo credit: Marla Maritzer)

Parent Advocate Receives Service Leadership Award
Nellie Velez, the YTDP Parent Advocate at Lehman College, was honored by Easter Seals New York on November 12, 2008. Ms. Velez received the Service Leadership Award for her outstanding work on behalf of Easter Seals' Bronx Child Development Center. CUNY YTDP colleagues, pictured here, joined Ms. Velez and her family at the event in Manhattan's 3 West Club.

2008 Summer Youth Employment Program
More than 100 participants of the CUNY Youth Transition Demonstration Project experienced paid employment and educational opportunities during summer 2008.  The DYCD-funded Summer Youth Employment Program enables New York City youth to work at various entry-level jobs for seven weeks in July and August.  CUNY YTDP youth were employed at Lehman, Hostos and other Bronx sites, working in academic services, nursing homes, central stores (pictured here), maintenance, security, summer camps, video production, library services and food services. Culminating activities included an awards ceremony and luncheon on August 14, to which youth, their families and SYEP colleagues and supervisors were invited.