Exalt Youth

exalt youth Scholars Continue to Reach Great Heights Through DBI Projects’ Internship Program

DBI Projects is privileged to host interns from exalt youth, a New York City-based non-profit that inspires youth at a critical crossroads to believe in their worth, from the first steps in contemplation through the journey to create lasting behavioral change. exalt’s mission is to elevate the expectations of personal success for youth ages 15-19 who have been involved in the criminal justice system. Part of this process is placing youth in paid internships where they learn valuable professional skills and begin to cultivate career aspirations, setting them on a path towards realizing their ambitions. In 2024, DBI committed to hosting 10 interns from exalt. The interns were given a desk in our office and daily tasks they were expected to complete. They also received one-on-one mentorship from experienced DBI professionals and firm partners who answered their questions, helped them develop technical and professional skills, and shared their own insights on building a successful career.

The following video includes testimonies from current and former exalt interns, exalt leadership, and DBI team members Jared Faske, Lillie Chong, Beatrice Arellano, and Javier Villao who were instrumental in the success of the internship program. Interns were asked to conduct site searches and compile information on prospective properties, join project management teams on site visits, and prepare property evaluations and presentations on individual buildings and the overall real estate market in their own neighborhoods. These tasks introduced the interns to real estate basics and the daily responsibilities of a project manager.

Click the following link to watch the entire video: https://lnkd.in/eNffA2gn

DBI’s work with exalt is multi-faceted, having previously assisted the organization in the search for a new headquarters space, ultimately overseeing the lease and construction of their current offices in Lower Manhattan, and later managing an additional expansion of the organization’s headquarters. 70% of DBI’s work is on behalf of non-profit clients like exalt youth, including educational, arts and culture, social services, and faith-based organizations.

#nonprofit #projectmanagement

January is National Mentoring Month! This month we highlight the work of Exalt Youth which empowers youth who’ve been involved in the criminal justice system. The organization inspires youth at a critical crossroads to believe in their worth and equips them with the tools and experience to avoid further criminal justice system involvement.

Over the past 10 years, DBI Projects are proud to have hosted and mentored over 40 interns from Exalt Youth. Over the years Exalt has achieved undeniable results, with nearly all graduates of the program returning to finish high school and a remarkable 95 percent avoiding further convictions — the average state recidivism rate is 60 percent.

You can become an internship provider too, check out the link below for more details!

https://www.exaltyouth.org/internships

DBI Projects would like to congratulate Gisele Castro, the Executive Director of Exalt Youth, on winning the Leadership Excellence Award at the 3rd Annual NYC Imagine Awards!

Exalt Youth elevates expectations of personal success for youth ages 15-19 who’ve been involved in the criminal justice system. They inspire youth at a critical crossroads to believe in their worth, from the first steps in contemplation through the journey to create lasting behavioral change. Exalt's powerful combination of structured classes for tangible skill development, individualized support to navigate the education and justice systems, placement in paid internships, and an alumni network of resources equips youth with the tools and experience to avoid further criminal justice system involvement.

DBI has a long history of working with exalt, having managed the strategic planning, budgeting, scheduling and execution of their capital projects, and hosted dozens of interns in their program. We are proud to have delivered each of the projects within tight budgets, without compromising on quality.

exalt is a New York City-based nonprofit, serving all five boroughs. exalt elevates expectations of personal success for youth ages 15-19 who’ve been involved in the criminal justice system by providing a powerful combination of structured classes for tangible skill development, individualized support to navigate the education and justice systems, placement in paid internships, and an alumni network of resources that equips youth with the tools and experience to avoid further criminal justice system involvement.