NYCHA Residents Take Construction Business Training
Twenty NYCHA public housing and nine Section 8 residents were selected to participate in the Construction Business Pathways (CBP) program, which is helping them build and grow their own construction businesses. The program is being implemented by the Fund for Public Housing (the Fund) and NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES), with a $535,000 investment from JPMorgan Chase.
Paula Gavin, Volunteer Interim Executive Director of the Fund, said this is one of the largest grants the Fund has ever received, and it will help NYCHA residents create businesses that can compete more effectively.
“As the Fund’s mission is to create resources and relationships, the opportunity that JPMorgan Chase gave us is very large,” said Ms. Gavin. “It can make a high impact on residents. The goal is to support them in starting construction business and generate the revenue. This is a model of what the Fund of Public Housing wishes to do: To create resources that will have an incredibly high impact on the economic mobility and lives of our residents.”
The CBP program launched in October; residents interested in creating or improving their existing construction business receive free, in-depth trainings for 10 weeks in the evening, where they learn everything about the industry and effective business management. They are also offered industry mentorships, professional coaching opportunities, and no-cost New York State business registration and construction safety training.
Stephen Jackson, CEO of the Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) – the CBP’s training partner – developed the CBP training program. He created a tailor-made course for NYCHA residents on how to start, operate, improve, and grow a profitable construction company.
“Participants will need to know about certification, procurement, business presentation, and more,” said Mr. Jackson. “They are working on the concept of building a business. We focus on putting people into the business. Every week they’re going to be completing homework assignments that are going to get them one step closer to creating or improving their own construction businesses.”
Jeanique Riche-Druses, who leads Global Philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase in the Northeast, was a NYCHA employee years ago and knows well the organization and its residents. Focused on supporting economic inclusion (especially in Black and Latino communities) through her current job, Ms. Riche-Druses knew that NYCHA has the necessary infrastructure to implement the Construction Business Pathways project.
“I was familiar with the Business Pathway program, and the success that it had over the years,” explained Ms. Riche-Druses. “From my time at NYCHA, I recognized that construction is really in the hearts and minds of the residents, and several NYCHA residents said that they wanted to start a construction business. JPMorgan Chase is committed to supporting racial equity. This project provides economic opportunities to people who need it. There are so many talented people, and their access to economic opportunity is not equal. This is an opportunity to balance the scales.”
Shanna Castillo, Director of REES, said that the opportunity to offer a construction entrepreneurship track under the Business Pathways portfolio is exciting for REES: “We recognize the resident talent and interest in this field and the possible business earnings via NYCHA, City, and private procurement opportunities. We are committed to supporting NYCHA entrepreneurs through business education and market access support, and we thank JPMorgan Chase and the Fund for Public Housing for their partnership.”
After the trainings end in December, REES will support CBP graduates for six months, connecting them to construction, building, and maintenance projects as well as construction industry professionals.