At The College of Westchester (CW), our commitment to empowering students through education and career readiness has always been at the heart of what we do. We are proud to share the exciting news of a new initiative that will significantly enhance our ongoing efforts in this regard—Project Digital JumpStart (PDJ), a collaboration with the City of White Plains Youth Bureau, supported by Mayor Thomas Roach.
Project Digital JumpStart is an innovative program designed to bridge the digital divide and provide underserved youth in our community with the essential digital skills and employment opportunities they need to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving job market. The project builds on our long-standing JumpStart Program, which has provided opportunity for high school students since 2019. Through this initiative, students have been able to earn college credits, explore potential careers, and gain invaluable hands-on experiences that set the stage for their future success. Project Digital JumpStart further enables CW to maintain that tradition.
Located in White Plains since 1959, The College of Westchester has always maintained a tradition of contributing positively to the local community. We consider Project Digital JumpStart to be a seamless continuation of our dedication to both educational excellence and our spirit of community service. This program will provide an even broader range of resources to support those historically underserved. We are proud of this initiative and to have the opportunity to collaborate with Mayor Roach and the White Plains Youth Bureau. As Mayor Roach stated, “the program aligns with the White Plains Youth Bureau’s core mission—ensuring every young individual has the necessary digital skills and resources for success.” More about the Mayor’s grant initiative can be found here: Comcast, U.S. Conference of Mayors Announce Ten Cities Receiving Grants in Digital Equity Challenge (usmayors.org)
Digital JumpStart represents more than just a training program—it embodies our shared commitment to empowering education and fosters a love of continuous learning and setting students up for success beyond high school. Together with the White Plains Youth Bureau, we are creating a welcoming and supportive environment where every young person, regardless of their background, can thrive. We are removing barriers to participation, ensuring that all students, especially those from historically disadvantaged have access to the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed.
The White Plains Youth Bureau will address the critical issues of access to technology and transportation. Through PDJ, participants will receive state-of-the-art computers and free transportation to ensure they can fully engage in the program and all its activities at CW.
The College expresses its deep gratitude to Mayor Thomas Roach, White Plains Youth Bureau’s Deputy Director Elizabeth Almonte and Executive Director Frank Williams, Jr.; and CW’s Dr. Erica Schacht, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty; and Matt Curtis, Vice President of Enrollment, for their leadership and dedication to this transformative initiative. Together, we are equipping our youth with the skills and confidence to meet the challenges of the future and embark on meaningful, high-growth careers in fields like technology, healthcare, human services, business, social media, information technology, and finance.
To become involved in this program, one must be a high school student, grades 10-12 and a White Plains resident. Contact the White Plains Youth Bureau at 914-422-1378 for further details or email Elizabeth Almonte, deputy director, at ealmonte@whiteplainsny.gov(link sends e-mail).
The College of Westchester is a bachelor’s degree-granting private college. For more information, visit us at www.cw.edu, call 914-831-0200 or click on the links below:
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