NYCHA’s City Cleanup Corps Workers are a Bonus to the Authority
Ever since they were hired at NYCHA, City Cleanup Corps staff members have been an asset to the Authority, working hard to keep developments clean inside and outside, maintaining playgrounds, assisting with pest control, conducting resident education and outreach, and helping Resident Associations with various projects.
NYCHA is one of 10 City agencies participating in the City Cleanup Corps (NYC CCC), an economic recovery program that is employing 10,000 New Yorkers to make the City the cleanest, greenest city in the country. The NYC CCC’s work focuses on key areas identified by local communities and elected officials, business districts, and the 33 neighborhoods hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic as identified by the City’s Taskforce on Racial Equity and Inclusion.
NYCHA hired 1,000 NYC CCC employees – almost half of whom are NYCHA residents – and will hire a total of approximately 1,500 NYC CCC workers in total by the end of August.
Longtime Cypress Hills resident Johnny Pearson jumped at the chance to work at NYCHA again through the NYC CCC. He works at Pink Houses as a grounds aide ensuring the grounds are trash-free, mowing lawns, and additional duties. He previously worked as a seasonal employee in 2020 assisting with cleaning development grounds during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I wanted to get back to working at NYCHA so bad,” Mr. Pearson said. “I like doing this, I like cleaning and being out in the field. This is my dream job, I always wanted to get into NYCHA and I never knew how to go about doing it and then I saw a sign in the building last year during COVID about being seasonal.”
Former NYCHA resident Tyrell Spencer also works as a grounds aide at Sheepshead Houses. A friend who works at NYCHA previously recommended he try to find a job with the Authority, so when the NYC CCC launched, he applied immediately.
“I was doing retail work before NYCHA and it was time for me to spread my wings,” Mr. Spencer said. “I want to be the best that I can be and at NYCHA it seems your talents and your hard work don’t go unnoticed. I want to be able to move up and I hope one day I make it to the big leagues.”
The NYC CCC positions have been helpful to residents and other New Yorkers who lost their jobs during the pandemic. Sandra Shavers previously worked as a bus matron for an ambulette company that transported children with special needs. However, in March 2020 the company shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Ms. Shavers lost her job.
“The City Cleanup Corps has helped me a lot,” Ms. Shavers said. “Staying at home last year was horrible for me. I was sort of behind on my bills being out of work and I’m slowly catching up.”
Sandra Shavers knocking on doors at Coney Island Houses to inform residents about upcoming resident association elections. 
Sandra Shavers knocking on doors at Coney Island Houses to inform residents about upcoming resident association elections.
She was hired in June as a community project aide to conduct outreach to NYCHA residents on behalf of the Authority’s Resident Engagement Department. Her workweek includes traveling to NYCHA developments in all five boroughs to distribute flyers and go door-to-door to inform residents about upcoming events or projects. For instance, she recently visited Sheepshead Bay and Coney Island Houses to let residents know about upcoming resident association elections at the development.
“This has been a great opportunity for me to communicate more with residents and learn more about dealing with the community,” Ms. Shavers said. “This job is teaching me a lot and I love it. It feels really good to be out and working again. Everyone who works with me is so nice, and they have a lot of patience! Hopefully I will keep learning, continue working here, or start looking for a new job.”