VIDEO | How Barclays Is Giving Young People Skills to Rebound and Rise
The Rebound Program, supported by Barclays, helps to combat issues related to youth un- and underemployment, financial literacy, and professional development. Since 2014, Barclays has supported nonprofit organisation Good Shepherd Services to help tackle challenges faced by many of New York City families.
Through the Rebound programme, Barclays provides the tangible support that young adults need to enter and contribute to the workforce. Rebound teaches financial literacy, hosts employment workshops, provides one-on-one mentoring, and builds out personal development plans with participating 17 to 24-year-olds through basketball. The programme focuses on East New York and Red Hook, two Brooklyn neighbourhoods that are particularly affected by youth unemployment. In these communities, one in four young people are out of school or work.
In the fall of 2017, volunteers from Barclays participated in a mock interview event with Rebound participants, helping them hone their skills and build the confidence needed to successfully interview for job opportunities. After the mock interviews, Barclays colleagues and young people from Rebound took to the court to play basketball together.
Astoria Meredith and Kaeshawn Ford are members of this year’s graduating cohort. Nineteen-year-old Astoria graduated from The Frederick Douglass Academy in 2017. After graduation, Astoria obtained a job through the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), working as a child care provider a Brooklyn day care center.
Astoria joined Rebound for the Fall 2017 cohort, where she gained work experience as an intern for Good Shepherd Services. Astoria was supported through Good Shepherd Services’ Brooklyn Life-Link Program in her pursuit of a college education and will enroll in Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) with plans to major in human services. Her ultimate professional goal is to become a social worker.
Kaeshawn came to Rebound as part of the Spring 2018 cohort. Though already employed, he joined the programme in order to receive career guidance. After joining Rebound, Kaeshawn expressed interest in going to college and like Astoria also joined Good Shepherd Services' Brooklyn Life-Link Program. With the programme's assistance, Kaeshawn will attend Medgar Evers College for Liberal Arts to pursue his goal of becoming an electrical engineer or sports manager. Astoria and Kaeshawn are only two of the many Rebound success stories.
Rebound graduates were recognised at halftime during a Brooklyn Nets game at Barclays Center and fans were able to join in the celebration of the programme's success in helping to create a better future for Brooklyn’s youth.
To date, 465 young adults have participated in the programme and nearly 80% have received financial skills training, and nearly three-quarters have engaged in life skills training. Barclays colleagues have played a role in supporting Rebound in this mission.
Rebound graduates by numbers:
- 75%have achieved employment or accessed education
- 80%have received financial skills training
- 75%have participated in life skills training
Visit our Citizenship section to learn about Barclays other employability programmes to promote growth within our local communities.
