On Dec. 9, the New York City Housing Authority celebrated the graduation of more than three dozen NYCHA residents from the NYCHA Resident Training Academy – the first residents to graduate from the innovative program.

The partnership between the Authority, Robin Hood, Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI), Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) and Building Works trains residents in four-and-a-half week and eight week courses respectively to become either Caretakers (Development Janitors) with NYCHA or construction workers with NYCHA contractors. The one-year pilot project, which will train up to 150 residents, is funded by Robin Hood.

“The program did more than prepare us for just jobs, it also prepared us to be more social and interactive,” said Lewis Bailey of Ocean Bay Houses in Queens, who plans to be certified in a union and perform construction work. “It’s a blessing and I feel like being in the first class blazes a trail for other residents.”

Milagros Colmenares of Castle Hill Houses addresses her fellow graduates. (Photo by Leticia Barboza)

NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea told the graduates that the Authority is committed to providing residents with tools and opportunities that can lead them toward financial stability. “Economic empowerment is a critical component of strengthening NYCHA families and NYCHA communities. When a resident is employed in work that pays a good wage, he or she has a greater ability to care for their family,” said Chairman Rhea.  “In fact, empowering NYCHA residents through educational opportunities, workforce training and stable jobs that pay livable wages can benefit the entire City.”

Based on the program’s success, Robin Hood will consider additional funding that will train up to 1,000 residents for additional jobs, adding other provider partners and employment sectors, such as extermination services. A job as an exterminator is the ultimate goal of Milagros Colmenares of Castle Hill Houses in the Bronx, whose participation in the NYCHA Resident Training Academy resulted in her being hired as a Caretaker J with NYCHA.  “I’m proud of myself and my classmates. I wanted a better paying, full-time job so I can better support my family,” said Ms. Colmenares.  “But this is just step one.” Jonathan Bligen, a resident of Smith Houses in Lower Manhattan is another successful graduate of this unique job training program and was hired by NYCHA to work as a Caretaker.

NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES) conducts outreach and recruitment amongst NYCHA residents and assists with job placement. The not-for-profit service organizations Brooklyn Workforce Innovations, Building Works and Nontraditional Employment for Women conduct the trainings.  For more information about the NYCHA Resident Training Academy call: 718-289-8100.

By Eric Deutsch
December 10, 2010