From Classrooms to Community: RTS Kicks Off a Summer of Opportunity

As the school year comes to a close, the energy at Roads to Success (RTS) is just beginning to rise. While students across New York City say goodbye to the classroom, our team is gearing up to welcome them into a summer season full of growth, exploration, and engagement.

Summer is more than a break, it’s a bridge. A time when young people can reflect, reset, and recharge while continuing to build the skills that will carry them into the next phase of their education or career. At RTS, we’ve designed a citywide network of free, accessible summer programs to do just that.

From our summer camps for elementary and middle schoolers in the Bronx and Harlem, to our SYEP (Summer Youth Employment Program) and new Learn and Earn Program for teens, we’re creating spaces where every young person can feel seen, supported, and inspired.

“We believe summer can create a special time away from the day-to-day school curriculum, an opportunity to own the moment and shape the future,” says Sheila Duke, CEO of RTS.

Here’s a glimpse at what summer at RTS looks like:

- Our Boston Secor Community Center Summer Camp in the Bronx offers full-day programming for children ages 5–13. Through hands-on activities like cooking, biking, arts, gaming, sports, storytelling, and more, kids develop academically and emotionally while having fun. These experiences also provide social opportunities beyond the classroom, helping youth forge friendships and practice empathy, teamwork, and respect.

- Evenings for Teens and Adults
For teens and older youth, RTS offers evening and weekend programming at Boston Secor. From anime and dance to DJ production, podcasting, and job readiness, these programs offer a vibrant, welcoming space for creative expression and community connection, available every evening and throughout the weekend, free of charge.

- Learn and Earn in East Harlem
This summer, RTS is launching the Learn and Earn program in partnership with Esperanza Preparatory Academy. High school students are gaining valuable work experience while building strong post-secondary plans through tutoring, leadership development, study skills, and hands-on learning.

- Paid Work Experience through SYEP
As part of SYEP, RTS will place 1000+ NYC youth, ages 14 to 24, into paid summer roles aligned with their interests and goals. While participant capacity has been reached, RTS continues to welcome new worksites across a range of industries to host young talent. From media and healthcare to technology, retail, and social services, these partnerships help shape the workforce of tomorrow.

- A Day to Dream Big: The Success Summit
On July 25th 2025, RTS will host its 9th Annual Success Summit, a signature one-day event bringing together over 1,000 New York City youth for a full day of learning, networking, and exploration. Youth engage with leaders from diverse industries, participate in workshops and panel discussions, and walk away with new ideas, connections, and pathways for the future.

At RTS, we know that investing in summer means investing in the future. By keeping young people engaged, supported, and inspired during these crucial months, we’re building confidence, connection, and community, one day at a time.

Summer is here.

Let’s own the moment and shape the future.