The Gift of a Career
Glenn T. now has a career and can take care of his children, thanks to training from HOPE, a Jobs to Build On partner.
The holiday season is an opportunity to reflect on what we are grateful for and give back to our community. At CWE, we want to acknowledge the work that our partners in labor and community organizations do throughout the year to support New York City’s workers. Tens of thousands of our neighbors have great careers and economically-stable lives because of these institutions.
Glenn T., a graduate of Jobs to Build On (JtBO) partner HOPE, says the program helped him feel like he has a purpose in his job. The father of five and grandfather of eleven, is now working in the construction industry after spending 30 years in prison.
“If I had not gone through HOPE, I would not be in the position to do what I am doing right now, taking care of my children,” says Glenn. “I speak to my grandkids about my background. If I have anything to do with it, they will never touch a penitentiary in their life. I’m HOPE for life, as they say. At HOPE, the door is always open for you.”
Jobs to Build On, as well as Worker Service Centers and Immigration Protection Group, were established by the New York City Council to fund workforce development and protection services for the New York communities most in need. These programs, administered by CWE in partnership with dozens of community organizations around the city, deliver life changing services to thousands of residents every year.
Jasmin Thomas got a start in a new field through support from Black Veterans for Social Justice, another program funded by JtBO. She was placed into a job as a case manager at a homeless shelter and, in less than a year, was promoted to shelter operations manager. Now she is helping the community, veterans, and their families apply for emergency rental assistance.
“Even when I didn’t believe in myself, BVSJ-JtBO encouraged and pushed me to work to my fullest potential,” says Jasmin.
CWE programs can include job readiness classes, occupation-specific training with certifications, resume and interview help, and job placement assistance. Many providers also have wraparound services to ensure participants have stable housing, childcare, and health care to be able to complete the training and succeed in their new careers.
Another class of BuildingWorks graduates have completed their pre-apprenticeship training and are beginning their careers in the District Council of Carpenters. BuildingWorkers receives funding through Jobs to Build On.
Mas Carrasco came to JtBO provider HANAC as a single parent struggling to complete college and support a family. Mas completed HANAC’s Employment and Training Services program, was placed into an administrative position at a large organization, and graduated summa cum laude. Mas’ feels newly independent and aims to complete post-graduate studies.
Mirna Meza is a refugee who immigrated to the United States in 2019 and, like many in her position, she had trouble finding a stable job. Northern Manhattan Improvement Corp. helped Mirna create a resume and prepare for job interviews, and then referred her for a patient greeting position at New York Presbyterian Hospital. She has been working there for one year.
The backbone of CWE’s programs is a network of community organizations with deep roots in neighborhoods across the city, from Henry Street Settlement on the Lower East Side, to SoBro in the Bronx, Urban Upbound in Queens, and Brooklyn Workforce Solutions in Brooklyn. Together with CWE’s long lasting partnerships with labor unions, this network is able to make sure that workforce training reaches the city’s micro communities that are so often missed.
So many New York families are able to celebrate the holiday season without worrying about how they will pay the rent or provide the next meal, thanks to the support of the CWE network of workforce development providers.