This fall six Chelsea High School Sophomores, Iris Cedeño, Christian Gomes, Natacha Cruz, Mohamed I. Mohamed, Brittany Builes and Wendy Umaña, were selected for an exciting new teen job program at the Chelsea REACH program at Chelsea High School where they will work as "Teen Ambassadors". City ACCESS: An Investment in Youth is an out-of-school apprenticeship program that offers teenagers the chance to reach their full potential by engaging them in relationship, skill and character building. Thirty-six Teen Ambassadors from low- to moderate-income neighborhoods receive training in leadership, mentoring, academic success, professionalism and civic engagement through their three year work and learning experience. This unique year-round teen job program brings together diverse youth from many different areas and neighborhoods which helps youth to form a positive peer network to support them during their high school years and through their work experience. As part of their job, youth will form cross- neighborhood teams to develop and lead workshops for the larger City ACCESS network on important leadership, prevention and youth development topics. BYN Mellon's City ACCESS program was established in 1994 an since then, the Blanchard Trust which funds the program has invested over $6 million in local youth training and educational opportunities. More than 300 teens have graduated from the program and 90% have gone on to attend colleges nationwide.

The Chelsea participants were selected through a competitive application and interview process. Interviews were conducted by volunteers from Metro Credit Union Saritin Rizzuto and Leslie Esturban. City ACCESS kicked off last week with a special dinner for the Teen Ambassadors and their immediate family members who traveled to BNY Mellon for the dinner. The purpose is to engage families as partners in supporting the youth throughout their three year commitment to the program. This past weekend, the Teen Ambassadors participated in an overnight retreat in Essex, MA where all 36 teens and the City ACCESS coordinators engaged in leadership and youth development activities including a ropes course led by Project Adventure. The teens enjoyed the retreat despite the bad weather this past weekend. "It was so fun" said Christian Gomes, my favorite part was....everything!" Natacha Cruz also enjoyed the retreat "it gave us the chance to get out of the city and meet other teens. I learned what it feels like to come from a different type of community and family. My mom is very happy that I am in this program." Mohamed I. Mohamed liked meeting different people from outside of Chelsea and says that he will use the money he earns to "help his mom out with bills in the house." Dolores Oritz, BNY Mellon City ACCESS Manager organizes the retreat to create a supportive network with trust and common vision between the youth and adult supports from across Boston, Chelsea and Malden.

Chelsea REACH together with Chelsea Public Schools wishes to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to BNY Mellon and the Arthur Blanchard Trust for their generous support.

BNY Mellon CityACCESS Teen Job Program

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