ABOUT US
Project Lead is a youth employment initiative sponsored by the Dryden Recreation and Youth Committee (DRYC). The program is run through Cornell Cooperative Extension's Rural Youth Services and staffed by our Program Manager. The program is free for middle and high school age youth living within the town of Dryden (including the villages of Varna, Freeville, Etna, Mclean, and Ellis Hollow).
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This program aims to help youth understand and develop the skills they will need to be successful in the workplace. Additionally, Project Lead participants will learn more about local organizations and businesses and different career paths as they contribute to local projects. Finally, Project Lead participants will have an opportunity to meet new friends from across town and have fun together!
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During each two week-long session, Project Lead will welcome ten participants. The participants will spend 2-3 hours per day working on a community service project with a local partner. The other 2-3 hours of the day will be spent on lunch, workshops, and recreational activities. While youth can sign up for more than one session, new participants will be prioritized for registration with each new session. Youth will be dropped off and picked up by a parent or guardian at one "home base" location. They will then be transported by program staff to the worksite for their community service project. Each family will receive a detailed schedule on the first day of the week. At the end of the session, youth will receive an Employment Skills certification and other perks!
Ready to learn more? Click here to learn about our 2022 Projects.
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