This newsletter summarizes an interview with Jesse Nanka-Bruce on the importance of networking. The main points are: - Networking is important for both professional and social reasons and can help with job searching. - Everyone has a network and networking can be done anywhere, like at school, work, family events. - There are different types of networking like online via LinkedIn or attending events. - Starting small, like with people you already know, can help those intimidated by networking. - Following up regularly strengthens relationships within a network.

1. WORK, LEARN & GROW NEWSLETTER Issue 4
Work,
Learn &
Grow
Newsletter
Issue Date
HENRY STREET SETTLEMENT IN THIS ISSUE
The twenty first century brought
about a change in the channels of
communication. Networking no
longer is a term pertaining to
computer systems. “Networking is
the collection of connections,”
explains Jesse Nanka-Bruce. When
one refers to their network, they are
speaking about their support system.
“I don’t think that’s true at all.
Everyone has their own network. It
might not come as easy for shy
people, but every day we network,”
replies Jesse, when I asked him if the
notion that networking is not for shy
people and only for extroverts is true.
Everyone has a group of like-minded
individuals that they connect with on
an everyday basis. The positives of
networking largely outweigh the
negatives. In fact I couldn’t name one
negative of networking. “There are so
many benefits of networking.
Networking helps lessen the time
searching for a job. It gives you a
pool of professional references that
one can refer to when job searching,”
says Jesse. “80% of people are hired
through some type of referral from
their network.”
New York City itself is a perfect
place for gaining a vast network. It is
also a place where daily life is rushed
and lost in the confusion of the hustle
and bustle. The statistics Jesse
referred to only proved the idiom,
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you
know. There’s nothing like being too
busy to network. All WLG
participants are balancing school and
work. We all network each and every
day. We converse with people at our
schools, supermarkets, places of
worship and so forth. “Networking
falls under two categories –
Professional and Social. It is
important to keep one’s professional
and social network separate.
(Continued on page 2)
The Power of Networking
An interview with Jesse Nanka-Bruce on the importance
of networking.
Page 1 and 2
Welcome New Participant
Newsletter staff member Eona John interviews new
participant Nila Peart into the program
Page 2
Recap on Reflection Session
A look back at last week’s Reflection Sessions.
Page 2
Programs at Henry Street Settlement
A snapshot look at some of the other programs offered
at Henry Street.
Page 3
An Announcement from WLG Staff!
A very important message from Jessica about upcoming
changes and updates about the program
Page 3
The Power of Networking
By Eona John

2. WORK, LEARN & GROW NEWSLETTER | Issue 4 2
The Power of
Networking
(Continued)
Social media is a really good
networking tool. LinkedIn is catered
to professional networks. Everyone,
regardless of age should have an
active LinkedIn. Attending events are
also one way to add to one’s
professional and social network,”
replies Jesse, when I asked if there
are different types or ways to
network. Social networks are
representative of the individual. It is
wise to update one’s social network,
so that it better represents the
individual.
Consciously networking can be
intimidating to some. Jesse
recommends starting small if that is
the case. “Start with all the people
you know. School, college, family
dinners are just a few daily
comfortable places to start.”
Networking is an investment of one’s
time. The idiom, “Time is money,” is
as true as the sky is blue. Following
up daily with people in your network,
this strengthens the relationship and
adds to the channels of
communication.
A business card is not necessary for
one’s social network, but will help
greatly for one’s professional
network. “Include your name, title,
cellphone number, email address,
web address (if you have one),”
replies Jesse, when I asked what were
the components of a business card. In
closing, Jesse commented on the
importance of networking saying, “It
is hard to get things accomplished by
yourself. Networking saves time.”
The person interviewed for this piece is Jesse
Nanka- Bruce, Internship Coordinator of the
Work, Learn and Grow Employment Program.
Henry Street Settlement
would like to welcome
Nila Peart
Nila Peart currently attends Frederick
Douglas Academy 1. Her plans for
the future include graduating high
school, enrolling in the U.S. Airforce,
and becoming a biomedical engineer.
She hopes that through her
participation within Work, Learn and
Grow, more diverse skills will be
acquired. We are excited to be
working with Nila Peart!
The Reflection Sessions took place
January 28th and 29th 2016. Both
sessions started at 4p.m. and ended at
7p.m. WLG participants reflected on
their time spent at their worksites.
They described what skills were
gained and updated due to their
participation in WLG. Participants
helped one another find solutions to
the recurring issues they faced while
on the job. Some recurring issues
were getting to work on time and
balancing school assignments and
work. On the previous newsletter
there’s an article, Managing Your
Time Wisely, that will offer some
solutions on balancing school and
work. A version of 21 questions were
played. Participants had to throw a
ballon, that had questions written on
it, and depending on where your
fingers landed you had to answer the
question. Boxes of cheesy pizzas
were enjoyed during the sessions.
Welcome to
WLG!
By Eona John
Recapping the
Reflection
Sessions
By Eona John

3. WORK, LEARN & GROW NEWSLETTER Issue 4
With the upcoming Mid-Winter
break coming upon us, we have
received great news from DYCD
about the amount of hours you will
be able to work. WLG participants
are able to work a maximum of 25
hours during the week of February
14-20th. Please speak to your
supervisors to find out if your
worksite will be open during the
break and how many hours you will
be scheduled for. Some of you may
find that your location will be closed
during this week. Please contact our
offices to make alternative plans.
SURPRISE
ANNOUNCEMENT!!
Participants with 175 hours or
more will be entered into a
raffle to win a Grand Prize.
Those with the next highest
amounts in hours will also be
win 1st
, 2nd
and 3rd
place
prizes! Talk to your
supervisors to work out a
schedule to make sure you get
all of your hours!
HENRY STREET SETTLEMENT’S PROGRAMS AND INTERNSHIPS
Expanded Horizons - College Access
 SAT Classes
 College Trips
 One & One College Counseling
 Tutoring (Mondays – Thursdays)
Subjects include but not limited to
English, Social Studies, Earth
Science and Algebra.
*Only accepts high school students. Freshmen and Sophomores needed.
Project Rise
Project Rise is a yearlong internship and GED program for ages 18-24. In order to
qualify, you must be out of school and not working for 3-6 months. There is 15 hours of
class time every week and 20 hours of work every week. 120 hours is the max for
working. Graduates of the program are assisted with the process of enrolling in college
and job placement.
*High school equivalency (GED) continues as long as the individual needs it.
Young Adult Internship Program (YAIP)
YAIP is a fourteen week paid internship program for ages 17-24. Must be out of school
(not currently enrolled in a GED program, high school, and college) and out of work for
at least a month, and have fewer than 60 college credits. The program runs from
9:30a.m. – 3p.m. Hourly pay rate is $9. 25 hours of work is to be complete each week.
Must complete 250 hours in order to graduate the program. Graduates are assisted
for nine months with college enrollment and job placement.
Henry Street Settlement Afterschool Camp Services
Henry Street Settlement Afterschool Camp Services currently offers afterschool to seven
programs/schools/organizations. They serve grades K-5. In two weeks 17.5 hours must
be completed. They are now hiring ages 16 and up. The main office is located in Room
307 at 301 Henry Street.
Work,
Learn &
Grow
Newsletter
Do you have something that you would like to add to our Monthly Newsletter? Please contact:
Jessica Guzman
Program Coordinator
Work, Learn & Grow Employment Program
Henry Street Settlement
301 Henry Street, 5th
Floor | New York, NY 10002
o. 212.254.3100 x215 | f. 646.514.7700 | c. 347.541.1073
WorkLearnGrowHSS@gmail.com
A Message from
WLG Staff
by Jessica Guzman