Mission Statement and Program Framework

TORCH is dedicated to transforming the lives of underserved New York City public high school students by providing intensive exposure to career training and opportunities in communications and the arts, all while facilitating a meaningful way of increasing the diversity of the workforce in those industries. Through hands-on career focused projects, educational outreach, counseling and professional mentors, students are provided with the tools to formulate and pursue career and educational goals.

Limited resources prevent many New York City high schools from including significant after school programming and a comprehensive school-to-work curriculum. TORCH help fills the void by providing students with the opportunity to not only define career goals, explore career options and interests, and gain actual on the job training in communications and the arts, but also participate in meaningful activities after school hours.

Program participants meet weekly after school and work on various projects that give them hands on experience in industries of focus, which include advertising, animation, interactive, journalism, music and multi-media. Additionally, TORCH plans various college visits and workshops for students throughout the year focusing on topics such as resume writing and interviewing skills. In the summer, TORCH places students in paying internships to allow them to further explore career opportunities. Ultimate goals for TORCH include participants graduation from high school and college with a direction and formulated goals.