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Program overview
LEAD is a free workforce development program for immigrant women who are intermediate English learners, facilitated entirely in English.
The program uniquely combines career exploration, job readiness, English learning, and community building in a safe, flexible, and inclusive space.
LEAD begins with a series of 10 job readiness workshops that provide participants with critical knowledge and skills about the US job search process and workplace culture.
LEAD also gives access to additional programming and benefits, including group practice and networking sessions with partner companies (“company sessions”), orientation & interview sessions as well as Career Fairs with partner employers, tailored individual support, community education and community support programming, and more.
LEAD programming is hybrid: Job readiness workshop series and some company sessions are offered in person, at the spaces of partner libraries and companies in Manhattan and Queens, while other programming are offered remotely, using Zoom.
Key goals are to support and prepare our participants for entry into the NYC workforce or to pursue higher education.
We are thankful for the generous support of Capital One for the LEAD program.
Fees
LEAD is 100% free for our participants.
Eligibility & enrollment
Participation in the program is open to adult immigrant women (minimum age of 18 years old) who are currently living in NYC or the tri-state area.
Participants should have at least an intermediate level of English and high school level of education.
Participants with a lower level of English and education should consider participation in our We Speak We LEAD or Bridge to LEAD programs. We encourage you to attend a LEAD Info Session if you’re unsure about your level of English (we often underestimate ourselves as immigrants!).
Completion of an online registration form & attendance to an Info Session is required to enroll in the program. Registration will be accepted based on space availability.
Locations & schedule
In 2023, LEAD was offered in person at the NYPL Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (Manhattan) and QPL Woodside Library (Queens), as well as virtually via Zoom video conferencing.
A total of 7 LEAD series were held during the year.
- Winter Series: January to March.
- Spring Series: April to June.
- Summer series: July to September.
- Fall Series: September to December.
Similarly in 2024, we are offering LEAD in-person at various locations, as well as virtually via Zoom.
Curriculum of workshop series
- Workshop 1 – Introductions, setting expectations & goals
- Workshop 2: Understanding the US work environment & cultural norms
- Workshop 3: Networking
- Workshop 4: Resume building, Part 1
- Workshop 5: Resume building, Part 2
- Workshop 6: Cover letter & professional writing 101
- Workshop 7: Interview skills
- Workshop 8: Delivering a presentation or speech
- Workshop 9: Working in a team & conflict management
- Workshop 10: Developing your professional action plan
Complementary benefits for LEAD participants
In addition to the 10-week workshop series, LEAD participants gain access to the following programming and benefits:
- 1-year free license to Learnship online learning program.
- Group practice & networking sessions hosted by NYC-based companies in a wide range of industries – including mock interview sessions, career advice chats, and panel discussions with experts. Current partner companies include in particular: Capital One, Faryl Robin, Guardian Life, LinkedIn, Mastercard, QBE North America, The Rockefeller Foundation, and ZS.
- Orientation & interview sessions as well as Career Fairs with partner employers to provide program participants with a direct thruway to jobs and other opportunities in their areas of interest.
- Tailored individual support in the form of resume building, interview prep, and career counseling.
- NWNY weekly newsletter with special opportunities and projects, job board, and events & resources board.
- Letters of reference and recommendations for jobs and other purposes.
- Community programming: Community Education Workshops support participants in building knowledge and skills in critical areas for their personal and professional development– including sessions focusing on financial empowerment, self-care and mental health, and rights in the workplace. Community Support Groups provide opportunities for community members to connect and share in a safe and inclusive space through informal and open discussions.
- Access to Work-Based Learning Program & Alumnae Volunteer Program of New Women New Yorkers.