We Connect The Dots, Inc. is Leading Workforce Development Initiatives to Support Youth and Reduce Gun Violence in Partnership with Suffolk County Department of Labor
We Connect The Dots Launches ‘UpSkill NY’ Suffolk County Workforce Experience Program
Westbury, New York, October 20, 2021 – We Connect The Dots announced the ‘UpSkill NY’ Workforce Experience Program for underserved youth (ages 18-24) in partnership with the Suffolk County Department of Labor to empower them with skills for entry level jobs and career paths in technology. The two organizations saw a clear path where they could address the region’s opportunity agenda and the state of New York’s strategy to reduce gun violence, providing workforce skills training and experience as well as social skill development to unemployed, underemployed, and out-of-school youth in cities impacted by gun violence. Through partnership with local community and industry partners, participants are placed in workforce experience opportunities with participating employers that can lead to full-time entry-level positions after completing the 8-week program. This program positively affects the economic revitalization of distressed communities, reduces violent crime and recidivism, providing adequate opportunities for upward mobility, career development and advancement for low-income New Yorkers. “Empowering youth with needed workforce skills utilizing technology, soft skill development, coaching and a pathway to employment increases the likelihood of sustainable employment and economic mobility. ‘UpSkill NY’ provides participants with the workforce training and experience employers seek today.”, Laurie Carey Founder of We Connect The Dots.
About We Connect The Dots
We Connect The Dots, Inc., a Westbury, NY-based non-profit offers underrepresented populations and underrepresented youth the opportunity to engage in experiential learning programs for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM). The programs are designed to assist young people in preparing for entry into America’s evolving workplace. We Connect The Dots was founded by entrepreneur and Microsoft veteran Laurie Carey to address the digital divide in communities nationally. Currently the organization works with students in Long Island, the Greater New York Metro area, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Washington, California, Illinois, Virginia, and Iowa. The not-for-profit’s programs provide underrepresented populations from low-income communities and others with opportunities to access and personally experience working in STEAM focused disciplines. These programs give students the skills they need to enter the workforce or continue their education in STEAM related fields such as engineering, science and computing. We Connect the Dots exists in-concert with Ms. Carey’s for-profit entity, Nebula Academy (a D.B.A. of Laurie Carey Consulting). Nebula Academy’s mission is to use cognitive learning and coaching models to create positive outcomes across education and professional development communities, where technology is used as a tool for supporting productive and engaging learning experiences. http://www.we-connect-the-dots.org