Brooklyn's Progress
August/September 2005

By Khadija Batuta

Once again excited young students arrived at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s office in Downtown Brooklyn ready to start their seven-week summer internship assignments. 

As part of its commitment to support youth employment, the Brooklyn Chamber welcomed three high school students from the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), administered by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development.  Through Good Help, the Chamber’s free staffing assistance program, the Chamber consulted with one of its partners participating in SYEP, Church Avenue Merchants Block Association (CAMBA), to place the high school students.

Egypt Israel, Science Technology and Research (STAR) High School at Erasmus Hall Campus, supported Nancy Tibana in Member Services; Damaniane Mathison, Fashion Industries High School, assisted Khadija Batuta in Communications and Government Affairs; and Claudia Williams, Williamsburg Prep High School, supported Shauna Wheatt of Good Help. 

With interests ranging from psychology to art to poetry writing to human resources, the Brooklyn Chamber’s goal in working with these talented teens was to impart valuable employment and interpersonal skills in a stimulating and fun environment. 

The Brooklyn Chamber also periodically provides internship opportunities for college students.  This summer the Chamber benefited from the talents of Noe Valenzuela, pursuing his MBA at New York University, who supported Mack Tham, Director of the Chamber’s Real Estate and Development program on various projects including Building Brooklyn Awards held in June. 

Artem Smolyakov, entering his senior year this fall at Brooklyn College where he will earn a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Finance, worked with Tara Levin in the Membership department; and Mallary Lerner assisted the team at the NYC Business Solutions Center at 9 Bond St.  Mallary will be entering her senior year this fall at Johns Hopkins University where she expects to receive her B.A. in Political Science and English.

To secure an intern for the summer of 2006, contact Shauna Wheatt with Good Help at 718-246-5219 ext. 2022, or at swheatt@brooklynchamber.com.  For other staffing and human resource needs, contact Mike Rosenthal, Director of Good Help, at 718-246-5219 ext. 2024, or at mrosenthal@brooklynchamber.com.