Every year, New York State PROMISE recognizes staff members who have done outstanding work as they serve students and families who are enrolled. As a thank you to those staff who have gone above and beyond each spring, PROMISE gives these individuals special awards called Prommies. We want to introduce you to 2 of this years winners, case manage Pam Gaynor and service provider Darlene Blue.

One of 19 year-old Kyannas dreams is to open her own restaurant. New York State PROMISE is helping Kyanna to build a foundation for that goal. PROMISE Community Employment Specialist Kandese McCullough worked with Kyanna on interview preparation skills and connected her with a Shake Shack in Manhattan where Kyanna is now working part-time. Kyanna is getting to experience a variety of aspects of what it takes to be successful in the culinary world.

New York State PROMISE community employment specialists in New York City recently had the opportunity to visit Accenture, which is a global management and consulting firm. The employment specialists are working with PROMISE youth for job readiness training and helping the students secure employment opportunities. The Marriott Foundations Bridges from School to Work Program, which is a partner with PROMISE, connected the employment specialists with Accenture.

PROMISE families in Niagara Falls are making sure they are accessing all of the services theyre eligible for, thanks to the hard of the Western New York PROMISE team.Niagara Falls case manager and parent coordinator Mia Crumpton has successfully referred 100% of her families to benefits counselors and either neighborhood legal services or Western New York Independent Living, Incorporated. Numerous families have greatly benefitted from the advice that they have received from benefits review meetings with those agencies.

We want to introduce you to Jacqueline and her grandson Nasheed, who are enrolled in PROMISE. They have been working with Sandy Jordan, who is a Family Support Coach at the Parent Network of Western New York and service providers. Both Jacqueline and Nasheed have taken steps towards new careers through PROMISE.

PROMISE student Chris from Queens has a promising future. He is excelling academically and the PROMISE team is making sure he has the supports he needs including job coaching, mentoring, and career readiness training.

Work Employment Specialist Cesar Fuentes, and Case Manager Learie Carrington, are actively involved with Chris and his family, and even had a chance to share in Chris big day.

New York State PROMISE had the opportunity to reconnect with Patrick, who we first introduced you to at the Queens Museum in 2016. Patrick has been gaining many new skills working with PROMISE staff and is currently in an internship where he is learning how to effectively communicate with others. Additionally, PROMISE is helping Patricks family to navigate the Social Security benefits system.

Raisa Palma is a Day Habilitation Specialist in New York City for Promise. She works with more than 40 students and helps them to develop skills that theyll need in life. She also focuses on teaching students about money management, understanding their emotions and how to effectively advocate for themselves.

PROMISE staff and families had the opportunity to spend quality time with each other for a series of Saturdays at Queens Metropolitan High School. Students explored jobs, computers, and the basics of cooking while their parents got to know each other in a support group. Staff talked with parents about special education issues, social security income benefits, housing assistance, and more. Families including Khadija and her son Mohamed appreciated the knowledge and interaction as PROMISE staff enjoyed getting to know them better.

New York State PROMISE wants to introduce you to Michael OBryan and the work that he does. Michael was the keynote speaker at the 2017 fall PROMISE Learning Community. He is the Director of Youth and Young Adult Programs at the Village of Arts and Humanities in Philadelphia. Michael also works in the field of trauma informed care. He has a desire to see people realize and fulfill their potential in life.