Empower the Next Generation
Building brighter futures — one student, one business, one community at a time.
Community Initiative
A Community Initiative Worth Joining
Join us where your support helps young people build their careers while strengthening neighborhood small businesses.
25
Young Adults
Ambitious participants ages 16–24 gaining real-world experience
5-6
Local Businesses
Neighborhood small businesses receiving hands-on support
8
Weeks
An intensive summer program packed with training and real projects
About the Program
Student StepUp: CACCI Youth Division
The Student StepUp Scholarship Fund, in collaboration with the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CACCI), proudly presents the second year of the CACCI Youth Division Professional & Small Business Support Summer Program.
This innovative 7-week summer program provides 25 ambitious young adults (ages 16–24) with hands-on work experience supporting 5–6 local small businesses. Participants receive daily workforce training in the morning and spend afternoons collaborating in teams on real projects — teaching practical job skills, fostering entrepreneurship, and delivering tangible improvements to local businesses.
Program Highlights
1
Morning Training
Daily workforce development sessions led by skilled instructors
2
Afternoon Projects
Team collaboration on real business challenges
3
Mentorship
Guided by experienced professionals and community leaders
4
Real Impact
Tangible improvements delivered to local small businesses
What the Program Delivers
Workforce Skills Through Real Projects
From setting up a bakery's first online store to launching a social media campaign for a neighborhood salon, students develop skills in digital marketing, tech, customer outreach, and teamwork, learning by doing, guided by mentors.
Small Business Growth
Students help business owners adopt new tools — updated websites, modern point-of-sale systems — attract more customers, and streamline operations, creating lasting effects that boost revenues and efficiency.
Community Impact
By empowering youth and uplifting small businesses, we're investing in Brooklyn's future — building a more vibrant, inclusive economy that connects young people to career opportunities and energizes our business community.
Choose How You Can Make a Difference
Your contribution keeps this program free for all participants and sustains high-quality training, mentorship, and project resources. Whether you're an individual or a company, there's a way to get involved.
Individual Donor
Make a personal contribution at any level, every dollar empowers a young person and supports a local entrepreneur.
Corporate Sponsor
Partner with us as a business. Sponsorships provide sustained support and meaningful visibility in the Brooklyn community.
Volunteer Mentor
Share your expertise as a mentor or instructor, guiding young adults as they develop professional skills.
Community Advocate
Spread the word in your network: help us connect with more donors, sponsors, and small businesses.
Where Your Money Goes
This campaign is community-driven. Public funding covers student stipends, but we rely on private contributions to provide everything else that makes the program exceptional.
Program Essentials Funded
- Skilled instructors and experienced mentors
- Laptops, software, and digital tools for participants
- Materials and resources for each business project
- Program coordination and quality assurance
Trust & Transparency
The Student StepUp Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — all contributions are fully tax-deductible.
Sponsors and donors receive regular updates and a full impact report after the program concludes. We also honor your recognition preferences, whether public acknowledgment or a private thank-you.
Support as an Individual Donor
Your personal gift — large or small — directly funds a young person's summer of growth and service. Individual donations cover training materials, software for student projects, and transportation for site visits.
Choose a giving level that fits your budget: $200 can provide a student's project toolkit, and $1,000 can sponsor a team's entire project. You'll receive updates on students' and businesses' progress, and can opt for public recognition or give anonymously.
Partner as a Corporate Sponsor
Your company's sponsorship drives this program's success and growth. As a Corporate Sponsor, your business aligns with workforce development, small business assistance, and community revitalization, core components of ESG and CSR goals.
Community Sponsor
Starting at $5,000 — logo placement and community recognition
Program Sponsor
Mid-tier packages with media coverage and employee engagement opportunities
Title Sponsor
$50,000+ premier brand visibility, media coverage, and deep community impact
Ready to Get Involved?
"Your support today means a stronger community tomorrow. Thank you for helping us build a brighter future for our youth and our local economy."
🎓 Empower Youth
Give young adults the skills and experience they need to launch successful careers
🏪 Uplift Businesses
Help neighborhood entrepreneurs grow, modernize, and thrive in today's economy
🌟 Strengthen Brooklyn
Invest in a more vibrant, inclusive, and connected community for everyone