The NYCHA Journal

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NYCHA logo, text: Mayor Adams, NYCHA CEO Bova-Hiatt Announce $1.3 Million Federal Grant to Support Youth in Brownsville
Top Story Youth 

NYCHA Receives $1.3 Million Federal Grant for Youth in Brownsville 

LaToya

On June 12, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYCHA CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt announced that the Authority received a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to support a YouthBuild pre-apprenticeship program for young people living at NYCHA developments in Brownsville, Brooklyn.  

YouthBuild is a community-based alternative education program for youth who left high school prior to graduation and also face other risk factors, including youth who are justice-involved, aging out of foster care, living with disabilities, experiencing housing instability, and facing other marginalized circumstances. The program will include education, occupational skills training, leadership development, and high-quality, post-program, job placement opportunities for 60 NYCHA residents, aged 16 to 24, with the first cohort of 30 students expected to enter the program in the fall of 2024.  

“As a proud son of Brownsville, I know firsthand the value of investing in our young people and the endless untapped potential that lives within the borders of the neighborhood I called home,” said Mayor Adams. “Our city’s future depends on our ability to help our young people grow, fulfill their potential, and thrive in an ever-changing economy. Helping each child succeed and achieve the career of their dreams has been a goal of our administration since day one. That is exactly what NYCHA’s $1.3 million YouthBuild program will do for young people living in NYCHA developments across Brownsville — provide them the building blocks to family-sustaining careers in the industries where we need them the most.” 

NYCHA’s YouthBuild program will benefit young New Yorkers in the following developments: Brownsville, Glenmore Plaza, Howard, Langston Hughes, Marcus Garvey, Park Rock Rehab, Ocean Hill, Ralph Avenue Rehab, Saratoga Village, Seth Low, Tapscott Street, Tilden, and Van Dyke. Youth living in NYCHA Section 8 housing within the selected zip codes will also be eligible for the program. 

“It is our absolute pleasure to receive this generous grant, and to operate the YouthBuild program for young NYCHA residents in Brownsville,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Bova-Hiatt. “NYCHA’s YouthBuild program will not only facilitate vital hands-on job skills and experience, but also foster leadership qualities and provide advantageous networking opportunities for young New Yorkers finding themselves at critical decision-making points in their lives. We thank our partners at the U.S. Department of Department of Labor, the Central Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation, and the Brooklyn Public Library for helping us provide Brownsville youth with the right tools to make informed choices about their futures.” 

NYCHA’s YouthBuild program will conduct two six-month cohorts of 30 students. In addition to a stipend and support services, members of each cohort will receive: 

  • Technical, lab, and classroom instruction on construction skills and safety training, leading to industry-recognized certifications and credentialing, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration site safety training and National Center for Construction Education and Research construction technology credentials; 
  • Hands-on construction skills application through the renovation of up to three vacant NYCHA units; 
  • High School Equivalency (HSE) instruction and career readiness support to successfully pass the HSE exam and prepare for career and/or post-secondary success; 
  • Leadership development, including community service opportunities; and 
  • 12 months of job placement and post-program follow-up support. 

“Brownsville is home to a wonderful, culturally-diverse community,” said NYCHA Executive Vice President for Resident Services, Partnerships, and Initiatives Ukah Busgith. “It’s imperative to reach youth at this formative stage in their lives, and the YouthBuild program does just that by outfitting 60 young NYCHA residents from this remarkable Brooklyn neighborhood with the skills and resources to succeed in the next chapter of their lives. We truly cannot wait to host our first YouthBuild cohort this fall.” 

The program will provide the necessary framework for graduates to excel in apprenticeships and entry-level construction positions, utilize the Section 3 federal program, which ensures training and hiring opportunities for recipients of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development financial assistance, existing partnerships, and follow the mission of the NYC Workforce Development Board to create rewarding pathways for participating youth. The Central Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation (CBEDC) will provide additional program management, construction training, case management, leadership development, and support services. Follow-up support will be provided by the Brooklyn Public Library, which will serve as the primary education partner with their Enhanced Young Adult Literacy Program, providing HSE instruction, education support, and career and post-secondary readiness support. 

“As someone who grew up in NYCHA housing, partnering with NYCHA on the YouthBuild program holds a deeply personal significance for me,” said La’Shawn Allen-Muhammad, CEO, Central Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation. “This collaboration represents an extraordinary opportunity to give back to the community that shaped me and supports the development of the next generation of builders and maintainers of the built environment. By joining forces with NYCHA, CBEDC is not only providing valuable skills training and employment opportunities but also fosters a sense of hope and possibility for Brownsville. Together, we will ensure that every young person has the chance to reach their full potential.” 

“Brooklyn Public Library congratulates Mayor Adams and NYCHA CEO Bova-Hiatt on securing this sizeable federal grant in support of our youth in Brooklyn,” said Kerwin Pilgrim, director of adult learning, Brooklyn Public Library. “We are proud to serve as an education partner on this pre-apprenticeship pathways program for youth in the Brownsville NYCHA community. Brooklyn Public Library is excited to be providing High School Equivalency instruction and career readiness support through its Enhanced Young Adult Literacy Program and looks forward to our continued collaboration with the city.” 

Read the full announcement here.