PASE Network News

Applications for the 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program are open. This is the nation’s largest youth employment program, connecting NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer. Participants can explore different interests and career pathways, develop productive workplace habits, and engage in learning experiences that strengthen their social, civic, and leadership skills. The deadline to apply is February 27, 2026 via this online form. Agencies - are you interested in hosting a SYEP intern? Apply to be a worksite via this online application. 

National Queer Theater is recruiting students for Staging Pride: Queer Youth Theater, a free after-school theater education program for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-18 that focuses on fostering community, teaching LGBTQ+ history through artistic engagement, developing leadership skills, and promoting positive self-esteem amongst LGBTQ+ youth. Staging Pride will meet every Wednesday, 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM from February 2, 2026 - May 6, 2026 at Hetrick Martin Institute (2 Astor Place, New York, NY 10003). In the past, the program has culminated in student-written works, attracted special guests like Adam Lambert (American Idol) and Marcia Marcia Marcia (RuPaul's Drag Race), and has offered field trips. Student artists will receive transportation support and a $200 stipend for program completion. Applications are open until February 2, 2026 and available on the National Queer Theater website. 

Join the Mott Million Dollar Challenge — a pitch competition for kids and teens. This is the place where your best ideas come to life. Kids and teens grades K-12, from any U.S. state or the District of Columbia can enter solo or with a team of up to three for a prize pool up of to $1M. Just jot down your idea and record a simple 30-90 second video about your idea. The two categories are: 1. business challenges, which are pitches for a new business, and 2. social challenges, which are pitches for businesses that address social challenges. Ideas can be submitted by February 27, 2026 via the pitch form. 

Atlas Fellows is a program that prepares young people for careers in finance by providing four years of intensive support, and they are currently seeking high school seniors to apply for the opportunity. The program provides financial support, connects students with paid, full-time summer internships throughout college, and provides mentorship as well as a network. Strong candidates are high school seniors with a passion for finance, should excel in STEM fields, and have outstanding leadership potential. This flyer provides a program and eligibility overview. Applications are open through February 23, 2026. 

Reel Works' Winter Supported Lab is a free experimental week-long filmmaking intensive that provides community, support, and resources for neurodivergent NYC students ages 15-21 as they explore storytelling through filmmaking. Reel Works focuses on individual needs to provide multiple entry points to expression. The program will take place on February 16, 2026 to February 20, 2026 from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM each day. Apply by January 25, 2026 via their electronic application.