About C.U.T.S. YEP

Our
Vision

Get to Know Us

We believe in the power of community collaboration to raise responsible, compassionate, and impactful citizens. It takes a village, and we aim to create strong partnerships with faith-based leaders, service organizations, local businesses, entrepreneurs, and community advocates. Together, we will work to Employ, Empower, and Embrace the youth within our communities.

Our collective efforts will focus on reducing youth violence, preventing youth incarceration, curbing gang involvement, and ultimately addressing the root causes of concentrated poverty. Through our C.U.T.S. initiative, we strive to provide our youth with the support and opportunities they need to thrive—creating a safer, stronger, and more prosperous community for all.

Connect-Learn-Grow-Succeed

Program Goals

Goal # 1

Provide meaningful workforce development experiences

Goal #2

Help youth learn professional workplace behaviors

Goal #3

Foster an environment to improve youth’s communication, customer service, and other soft skills

Goal #4

Empower youth to enhance decision-making, self-advocacy, and confidence

Goal #5

Expand career opportunities and support career planning

Goal #6

Promote healthy financial literacy, including developing positive saving habits and creating financial goals

Goal #7

To establish supportive relationships with city agencies and private organizations to increase job opportunities

Goal #8

To gain the program's full potential, the Youth Participants are encouraged to remain actively engaged throughout the program.

Recent studies have found that youth employment programs have reduced youth violence, incarceration, mortality, and improved academic outcomes. In addition to providing young people with wages and work experience, C.U.T.S. YEP is a platform for youth to learn and become exposed to adult responsibilities and decisions. C.U.T.S. YEP participants gain experience in seeing new possibilities and the ability to develop supportive relationships with adults.

Apply today

Applications for the 2024-25 cohort are now open!