Dozens of youth ages 15 to 18 will be able to grab a passport for the first time to travel internationally thanks to a city Department of Youth and Community Development program.
The DYCD Commissioner Keith Howard announced Dec. 23 that the agency will be teaming up with the nonprofit Tucks Travels to help teens from marginalized communities who are first-time travelers apply for a passport for free — the average cost for one is $179.
The agency is also working with Take Action Global, a climate education organization, to deliver the cultural exchange portion of the program.
“DYCD is launching this … program to give young people in underserved neighborhoods the opportunity to see the world beyond their block,” said Howard in a statement. “This program builds on DYCD’s previous work to send young people on a cultural exchange trip to Ghana, and our longtime collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs on NYC Junior Ambassadors, which empowers youth to become actively engaged with the United Nations and its mission of addressing the most pressing challenges in the world.”
Tucks Travels previously partnered with DYCD on a pilot program to help 25 young people in DYCD-funded programs in the Bronx obtain their passports.
Four Global Kids took part in the Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa Sankofa Young Leadership Fellowship, a DYCD spokesman said via email. The 12-day cultural immersion experience included visits to historic and natural landmarks, including Elmina Castle and the Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm, seminars, workshops and community engagement opportunities to help the high school seniors deepen their understanding of Ghanaian history and culture while strengthening their leadership skills.
“The experience helped participants build cultural competency, gain confidence navigating new environments, and forge meaningful connections with mentors and peers — expanding both their personal perspectives and professional networks,” said the spokesman, who also noted the trip was from July 20, 2023 to Aug. 1, 2023.
A passport is more than a document, said Aissata MB Camara, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs.
“For too many young New Yorkers, cost and access have limited their ability to see the world,” Camara said in a statement. “This initiative changes that.”
Andrea Jerves, director of the Hellenic American Neighborhood Action Committee in Astoria, was proud to partner with Tucks Travels on the passport initiative.
“The ability to travel and utilize a passport provides opportunities that would be otherwise completely inaccessible to these young people, expanding their awareness of global learning pathways and future possibilities,” said Jerves in a statement.
Sylvan Haseley, principal of Pathways College Preparatory School in St. Albans, which was recently designated as an International Baccalaureate education institution, said the program is an excellent idea.
“Our community would definitely be interested in it,” he said via email.
As scholars in an IB school, students don’t only learn different languages, but they cap their senior year with trips abroad. In March, seniors will go to Greece. In 2027, other scholars plan to go Tokyo. A trip to Ghana is also being planned.
“This aligns with our vision of open mindedness and learning in a global context,” said Haseley.