The Thinkubator, a new Bronx-based nonprofit organization announced the conclusion of its summer programming with its second newly launched program “The Thinkubator Trains”.
The Trains program was a virtual six-week internship for ten Bronx youth working at two Bronx organizations: RAP4Bonx (Relief Access Program for the Bronx) and the Bronx Borough President’s Office. The six-week program concluded with visits to La Finca Del Sur Community Garden – “Farm of the South” and Mott Haven Bar & Grill, which focused on how community partners are tackling food insecurity in the Bronx.
Interns worked for four days a week for four hours on projects assigned by the business and public sector partner. The Thinkubator Assistant Director, Sharone Wellington-deAnda managed the program, provided the young people with professional development and enrichment, and ensured that projects were executed in collaboration with the business partners.
Intern Naomi Okunrobo stated “My time at The Thinkubator and Rap4Bronx opened my eyes to many different aspects of the Bronx. It gave me the opportunity to work behind the scenes at Rap4Bronx and made me more aware of the food insecurity in the Bronx. It inspired me to research and write a paper on food insecurity and is pushing me to think about it long term. It was an amazing experience, and it has influenced my work ethic and knowledge about the world.”
“Despite CoViD-19, Sharone Wellington-deAnda put together a robust program that provided young people with practical applied experiences, resume writing, research, communication, and engagement with professionals” said Dr. Edward Summers, President and CEO of The Thinkubator. “I am very proud of The Thinkubator Trains program and the amazing progress our organization has made in such a short period.”
The Thinkubator Trains is one of two programs (Thinkubator Solves) that was launched this summer by the newly formed The Thinkubator. The organization plans to continue these programs throughout the academic year while adding their Thinkubator Hires program, a job board and employment matching services for program participants and a Youth Council that will allow alumni of The Thinkubator, The Bronx PIC, DreamYard, and HERE to HERE programs to form an agenda that will inform the governance of The Thinkubator and highlight and educate the public on issues impacting Bronx youth.
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About The Thinkubator Trains Program
The Thinkubator Trains provides companies, organizations, and the public sector with the talent they need to be successful. The program leverages its partnership with HERE to HERE and DreamYard to connect work-ready youth with paid internships and work-based learning experiences throughout the Bronx. The Trains program provides comprehensive recruitment, placement, professional development, and mentoring for both the youth interning and business or organization hosting interns. The program seeks to develop, build, and place the talent employers need to achieve their long-term business and organizational goals and help to build a bright economic future for the borough.
About The Thinkubator Solves
The Thinkubator Solves is a program delivered in partnership with The Thinkubator, DreamYard, and HERE to HERE. The Thinkubator Solves is a youth-led design thinking think tank consultancy where Thinkubator Innovators (both high school and college students) with the support of professionals craft solutions to real-world challenges, and/or opportunities facing businesses, nonprofits, government and the world.
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