Job Preparation

The YMCA helps teens develop valuable job skills and personal responsibility as they explore career options.

FutureWorks

Teaches entrepreneurship to high school and middle school students by focusing on the skills, attitude and values they need to start and run their own businesses. The program combines educational enrichment focused on business themes with leadership development programming. Participants explore careers and the steps required to reach career goals and are eligible for funding to help start their own business. FutureWorks helps more than 120 teens develop and implement their own business plans. Learn more.

YouthBuild

Based locally at the Flushing YMCA, this nationwide program teaches young people ages 16-24 work toward their GED or high school diploma while learning job skills by building affordable housing for homeless and low-income people. Funded with a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, this program has a very high success rate, with many participants going on to college or gaining high-wage private sector jobs in the building industry. Learn more.

YMCA Lifeguard Training

A nationally recognized certification course provides skills and knowledge for lifeguarding, including anticipating and preventing emergency situations and threats to life. Participants are taught safety and survival skills, accident prevention, guarding techniques, emergency systems, rescue skills, CPR, AED, oxygen administration and first aid in aquatic environments. More than 250 teens and young adults 16 and up achieve YMCA Lifeguard Certification. Learn more.