Youth Business Initiative

LEARN. BUILD. GROW.

40th Edition Newsletter

July 2025

📅 Save the Date: YBI Giving Day

Mark your calendars for YBI Giving Day on July 23rd, 2025! This is 24 hours dedicated to making a difference as we aim to raise $15,000 to support vital initiatives, including:

✅ Mental Health Resources
✅ Advancing Economic Mobility
✅ Access to Sports & Recreation
✅ Empowering Disconnected Youth

Every contribution helps create opportunities for the next generation. Together, we can build stronger futures!

📍 Location: 11 Belden Ave, 2nd Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851
🌐 Learn More & Donate: www.ybict.org
📢 Spread the word using #YBIGivingDay

YBI Business Development Program: Week 3 Update

Our 2025 Business Development Program officially kicked off on June 30th, and we’re already in full swing! Now in Week 3, our young entrepreneurs are diving into one of the most critical aspects of running a successful business: Financial Literacy and Budgeting.

This week’s focus is all about helping participants understand how to manage money, track expenses, and make smart financial decisions for their business ventures. They’re learning essential concepts like revenue, expenses, profit, budgeting, and expense tracking, and gaining tools to help them build sustainable financial habits early on.

We’re also excited to welcome M&T Bank this week as a guest speaker. Their team will be joining us to offer real-world insight into financial planning and share banking tips for young entrepreneurs.

Stay tuned as our students continue to grow their business knowledge and turn their ideas into reality!

Business Development Field Trip

Last week, Yakeem took his Business Development students on a field trip to The Pottery Factory in Norwalk. The visit offered a fun break from their regular routine while also providing a hands-on learning opportunity. Students engaged with the business owner, asked thoughtful questions, and learned about the ins and outs of running a creative, service-based business. It was a valuable experience that blended relaxation with real-world business insights!

Workforce Development Program Kickoff – Week 1 Recap

Last Monday, we officially launched our brand-new Workforce Development Program in partnership with The WorkPlace! This dynamic program runs Monday through Friday from 2–6 PM, with a hybrid schedule every other day, giving participants the flexibility to learn and grow both in-person and virtually.

In Week 1, participants got right to work building essential career skills. They focused on crafting professional résumés and cover letters, laying the foundation for future job and internship opportunities. On Thursday, we welcomed a powerful guest speaker who led a thoughtful conversation on mental health in the workplace—an important reminder that wellness is just as important as work ethic.

To wrap up the week, Friday’s activity put creativity and collaboration to the test: participants were challenged to design an original board game that included a clear theme, instructions, and a concept-to-goal structure. The results were fun, imaginative, and a great way to build teamwork and critical thinking skills.

We’re excited for what’s ahead as the group continues to grow professionally and personally in the coming weeks!

Our Digital Marketing Program is underway! 

The program is going well so far. The young workers are actively researching, using graphic tools, and learning how websites function—especially how to track traffic and understand the global impact of soccer. They’ve also begun filming the podcast and using Trello to learn scheduling and task management. In addition, they’re being introduced to tools like ChatGPT to help them develop content and explore creative ways to work smarter. Overall, it’s been a hands-on learning experience across media, marketing, and teamwork.

Mentor Update: Mandated Reporter Training Complete!

We’re excited to share that all of our mentors have recently completed and passed the required Mandated Reporter Training. This is a vital step in ensuring the safety and well-being of the youth we serve. With this important milestone complete, we’re now preparing to begin pairing mentors with their mentees in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more updates as we kick off this next phase of our mentoring program!

Girls by Girls Support Group

Over the past two weeks, our Girls Group has been focused on self-care and self-discovery. Two weeks ago, the group participated in a relaxing yoga session to decompress and connect with their minds and bodies. Last week, the girls tapped into their creativity by designing superheroes that reflect their own unique strengths and qualities. It’s been powerful to watch them grow in confidence and self-awareness each week!

Girls Group Field Trip Recap – Museum of Illusions & Times Square

On June 20th, our Girls Group took a fun and memorable field trip to the Museum of Illusions in NYC! The day was filled with laughter, curiosity, and plenty of picture-perfect moments as the girls explored the museum’s mind-bending exhibits and interactive installations.

After the museum, we grabbed lunch together and cooled off with some ice cream, taking time to enjoy each other’s company and reflect on the experience. We ended the day with a visit to Times Square, where the girls had a blast soaking in the energy of the city, snapping photos, and making memories they won’t forget.

This trip was not only a chance to bond and have fun, but also a reminder of the importance of celebrating our girls and giving them new experiences beyond the walls of the group. We’re so proud of the positive energy they brought all day long!

The Best Soccer Podcast Is Coming Soon!

We’re excited to announce that YBI is expanding into youth sports storytelling through The Best Soccer — a brand-new initiative powered by our students and young athletes.

Our team is currently filming the first episodes of the podcast, which will feature real voices from the field, inspiring local stories, and conversations that matter to today’s youth.

This project is more than just about soccer — it’s about using sports as a platform to connect, educate, and uplift. Stay tuned for our official launch… exciting things are just getting started!