There are millions of youth ages 16 to 24 who are out of school and out of work. They cost the nation billions of dollars every year and over their lifetimes in lost productivity and increased social services.  They also represent an opportunity for the nation to tap the talents of millions of potential leaders and productive workers at a time when America’s skills gap is significant.  -- Opportunity Road: The Promise and Challenge of America's Forgotten Youth

According to this national survey and research report released by America’s Promise Alliance, Civic Enterprises and Peter D. Hart Research Associates, nearly three in four (73 percent) of youth ages 16-24 who are not enrolled in school, are unemployed and do not have a college degree are confident and hopeful that they will be able to achieve their goals in life.

New York Center for Interpersonal Development (NYCID) is a not-for-profit organization on Staten Island that aims to help these "disconnected youth" achieve their goals, and prevent others from becoming disconnected in the first place.

Through programs such as Achievement in Career & Education (ACE), Olympus Academy (a transfer high school located in Canarsie, Brooklyn), the Staten Island Young Adult Borough Center (YABC), Graduate, Prepare & Succeed at Port Richmond High School and the Advantage After-School Program at Port Richmond and McKee high schools, NYCID offers opportunities for youth to learn conflict resolution, anger management and new decision-making techniques.  Our programs provide them with a rigorous academic program, tutoring, supportive counseling services, career preparation trainings and paid internships.

To hear what some of our students have to say about how NYCID has helped them, watch the video below:

About The Budos Band

The strength of the group’s bond and its music has allowed The Budos Band to accomplish feats rarely attained by instrumental groups.  With collective sales of over 30,000 albums and tours that have spanned the US, Canada, and Europe, playing rock clubs and large festival stages, The Budos have developed a rabid fan base that spans genres and ages.  At any given Budos show, one might see b-boys break dancing to the band’s funk and hip-hop beats; record junkies nodding their heads to the soul-infused melodies; metal heads thrashing to the dark and ominous guitar and bass riffs; and general music lovers who eagerly attend Budos shows and smile approvingly at the melting pot of music that takes place.  Simply put, The Budos kill the live show and with each record, their ability to put the energy, sweat, and passion of the live experience to wax increases.

About The Headlocks

With a feisty spirit and organic swagger, NYC-area five-piece The Headlocks are like The Rolling Stones had Mick and Keef been born 40 years later and been able to absorb the array of ways the music of their heroes like Holwin’ Wolf and Muddy Water has been advanced in the past half-century. The band has developed a massive following in the New York area and last year the members expanded their touring radius, helping more and more music lovers get their ya-yas out while under the spell of The Headlocks’ playful audio headlocks.

About Tali

The sensual voice of Tali continues to touch all those in its vicinity, bringing a new flavor to the music industry. She combines World music with Pop culture; Her compositions are eclectic and sensual, incorporating Middle Eastern melodies, Latin rhythms, and elements of Reggae. While the melodies are unique, the content of her words are true to the universal life experiences that we share. 

Tali and her band create an extraordinary live experience, vibrant with energy, each song diverse in texture. Some of the songs are sultry and intimate, building in intensity, while others have fluctuating tempos and rhythms that take the crowd by surprise. Though each song is a different experience, audience members continue to hear intricate harmonies and minor melodies, Tali's voice being the common thread.