WIOA In School Youth Program: COOL (Careers of Our Lives) Directions: 

EASTCONN, in collaboration with New London Youth Affairs and Norwich Human Services, engage and prepare in-school youth from the Windham, Danielson, Norwich and New London area (aged 16-18, a high school junior or senior who meet the WIOA eligibility guidelines and have barriers to employment). The program provides: 

• Academic Support, Career Assessment, and Transition Planning,
• Career exploration and labor market information, Job placement/internship/
• Job placement/internship/work-based learning opportunities,
• Portfolios documenting all components of the COOL Directions Pipeline program,
• Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurial Skills, Basic Skills in Reading and Math and Life Skills Training,
• Youth Mentorship with a caring adult
• Leadership, communication and team building skill development.

An integral component of the COOL Directions program is the temporary paid internship experience. Participants will apply and be interviewed for individualized worksite internships that are related to the youth’s career ladder/pipeline interests, and foster growth in work readiness skill development.

Summer Youth Employment

A short-term summer work experience for eligible youth aged 14-21 years old is pending funding for the Eastern Connecticut region. Participants in the Summer Youth Employment and Training Program are paid minimum wage ($10.10 per hour) to work approximately 75 hours during July and August. The Summer Youth Employment and Training Program is more than a summer job. It is an employment opportunity where youth can find the link between work and training. Employers are committed to providing a job experience that is learning rich, and youth will receive an evaluation during their experience. Businesses within the Willimantic, Danielson, Norwich and New London labor markets have provided a variety of project opportunities for the Summer Youth Employment and Training Program applicants.

Contact Cyndi Wells at 860-455-1572 or cwells@eastconn.org for more information.

For more information - EASTCONN

EASTCONN administers the WIOA Youth Employment Program for the Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board. EASTCONN subcontracts with Norwich Youth and Family Services and New London Youth Affairs for the delivery of program services in the Southeast Region.

The program serves youth in the following towns: Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Eastford, Hampton, Killingly, Lebanon, Mansfield, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Sterling, Thompson, Union, Willington, Windham, Woodstock.

EASTCONN Administrative Office 376 Hartford Turnpike Hampton, Connecticut 06247
Phone: 860-455-0707 FAX: 860-455-0691

Program Contact In-School Youth: Cyndi Wells, cwells@eastconn.org

For more Information - Norwich Youth and Family Services

The program serves youth in the following towns: Bozrah, Colchester, Franklin, Griswold, Lisbon, Montville, Norwich, Preston, Sprague, Voluntown.

Norwich Youth and Family Services 80 Broadway Norwich, Connecticut 06360
Phone: (860) 823-3783 Fax: (860) 823-3793

Program Contact: Pat Dixe, pdixe@cityofnorwich.org

For more Information - New London Youth Affairs

The program serves youth in the following towns: East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Salem, Stonington, Waterford.

New London Youth Affairs 120 Broad Street New London, Connecticut 06320
Phone: 860-440-6653 or 860-442-4994 Fax: 860-443-1795

Program Contact: Cindy Alvarez, JAlvarez@ci.New-London.ct.us