Green City Force Graduates 25th Cohort of Green Changemakers
On August 30, NYCHA non-profit partner Green City Force (GCF) graduated its 25th Cohort of program participants and proudly welcomed them to the ranks of GCF alumni.
The graduation ceremony, held at the Queens Public Library, was attended by the GCF program participants as well as family, friends, and previous alums.
Green City Force is an AmeriCorps program that prepares young people between 18 and 24 for careers in green service. Program participants must reside either in NYCHA or other NYC housing developments, and they must already have earned a high school diploma or GED. Participation in the GCF Service Corps program is a full-time commitment filled with opportunities for service, training, and skills-building, all aimed at providing the professional expertise needed for a successful career in sustainability.
Kiara Sogren, a 25th Cohort graduate from Astoria Houses, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to take part in the program: “I’ve done things I never thought I’d have the opportunity to do and have gotten to see the natural world through a new pair of eyes. I have a newfound confidence in my independence and knowledge that I can’t wait to share with others.”
Duke Smith, a Gowanus Houses resident who did his GCF work at the Howard Houses Eco-Hub, said: “I joined GCF because I thought this would be the perfect start to my working career. I didn’t know I was going to get way more stuff taught and given to me than I bargained for. The friends I made in this cohort really helped me out during the term.”
“The theme for Cohort 25’s graduation is ‘Growth,’” said GCF Executive Director Tonya Gayle. “It’s a fitting testament to how much they have accomplished and the skills and talents they have showcased over the past six months of AmeriCorps service. These young people have grown and distributed food, engaged fellow residents in sustainable initiatives, including composting, recycling, and energy efficiency. They have been trained in safety, eco-literacy, carpentry, urban agriculture, community outreach, and so much more.”
Featured speakers at the graduation ceremony included Dennis Walcott, Executive Director of the Queens Public Library; Eddie Mendez, NYCHA Sustainability’s Deputy Director of Energy Programs; Costa Constantinides, CEO of the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens; Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor, Senior Pastor of the Center Of Hope International; and Katherine Brezler, Special Advisor for Strategic Initiatives to Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. The keynote address was presented by Qiana Mickie, Executive Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture.
The latest cohort of GCF participants harvested more than 15,000 pounds of organic produce for NYCHA residents; collected over 13,000 pounds of compostable waste from NYCHA residents; and hosted more than 150 events, over 200 volunteers, and more than 2,000 visitors across all of their Eco-Hubs.
Nicholas Roman, a graduate from Red Hook Houses who worked at the Howard Houses Eco-Hub, said of the opportunity: “GCF has taught me so many valuable lessons, even in the moments they weren’t outright teaching us anything. I had an amazing team to help me make it through as well as an amazing leadership chain, and they have been nothing but supportive and understanding. The sense of community and unity feels so natural, powerful, and is easily my biggest takeaway from the whole program. After being part of something that really matters to me, I will forever remember this experience.”
GCF has become a model for a conservation service corps rooted in public housing communities, connecting the dots between young talent and the green economy through opportunities for service and learning.
Jelani Folayan, a GCF participant from Harlem who worked at the Forest Houses Eco-Hub, said: “GCF’s commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement has instilled a deep sense of responsibility within me towards the planet and its inhabitants. GCF’s emphasis on community service and outreach has opened my eyes to the pressing issues faced by our neighborhoods, inspired me to take action and become an agent of change. I also found a way to break into the workforce and acquire a career. Thanks to GCF, I am now equipped with the tools and knowledge to create a greener, more sustainable future for my community and the world at large. I am forever grateful for the opportunities and experiences GCF has provided, and I highly recommend their programs to anyone looking to make a positive impact on our planet.”
Do you know a young person between 18 to 24 who might benefit from the Green City Force program? They can find out more and sign up by visiting https://jobready.nyc.gov/programs/green-city-force/ or https://greencityforce.org/.