In Yonkers, where Black and Brown students make up the majority of theschool district, many young people still face barriers to early employment — including access to physicals and required paperwork. Even as regional unemployment for Yonkers and Westchester County hovers around 3.0% as of April 2025 (New York State Department of Labor), these figures often mask deeper inequities that particularly impact students trying to enter the workforce for the first time.
To directly address this challenge, Yonkers Public Schools, in collaboration with My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Yonkers and Yonkers Public Schools Nursing Services launched the MBK Working Papers Initiative, which brings employment access directly to students.
Through the MBK Working Papers Initiative, students aged 14–17 can now receive free, on-the-spot physicals and walk away with their working papers — all during the school day. The new approach removes two of the biggest hurdles Yonkers youth face when trying to work: scheduling a doctor’s appointment and managing paperwork.
Echoing Dr. Wilson’s sentiment, Yonkers Public Schools Superintendent Aníbal Soler, Jr. added, “Students shouldn’t have to jump through hoops just to get a job. This is a step toward changing that.”
“This is a practical, effective solution to a challenge that has kept far too many students from accessing jobs,” said Dr. Jason Baez, Executive Director of MBK Yonkers. “Our students are ready to work — they just need the system to work for them.
The working papers program is just the first step. MBK Yonkers is rolling out a full, three-phase plan to help students land jobs: first by making it easier to get working papers, then by offering career bootcamps and resume workshops, and finally by connecting students to real job opportunities this summer. Over 85 students have already gone through the process — and the team is just getting started.
The program recently caught the attention of Dr. Adren Wilson, Executive Director of the national My Brother’s Keeper Alliance. During a visit to Yonkers, he praised the local team’s focus on removing barriers and connecting students to real-world opportunities. He also met with Yonkers Public Schools leadership, including teams leading work on the six MBK milestones — from early literacy to college and career readiness — to align on evidence-based practices.
“This is exactly what My Brother’s Keeper is about,” said Dr. Wilson. “The work happening in Yonkers can be a model for communities across the country.”
With students now gaining quicker access to jobs — and the support to prepare for them — MBK Yonkers and Yonkers Public Schools are continuing to build on a shared commitment: making sure success is within reach for every young person in the city.
For more information, visit yonkerspublicschools.org/mbk.
