Recognition Ceremony Held for First Cohort of NYCHA Health Corps
After nine months of on-the-job experience and training in public health, 20 NYCHA residents were celebrated for their public health and health equity service work in NYCHA communities at a recognition ceremony held on June 29.
The residents were the first cohort of NYCHA Health Corps, a new AmeriCorps program that provides NYCHA residents with full-time training and work at community-based nonprofits and public agencies to improve health outcomes across public housing developments.
The program is administered by NYC Service in partnership with NYCHA; in its second year, the initiative is expected to double the number of NYCHA residents enrolled as NYCHA Health Corps Members. The cohort completed their service by working at the NYC Health Department, NYC Health + Hospitals, One Community, Neighbors in Action, Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership, SCAN-Harbor, and Phoenix House. (Read more about some of the work NYCHA Health Corps Members participated in here.)
Speakers at the recognition ceremony included Mayor Eric Adams’ Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack, NYC Service Chief Service Officer Laura Rog, NYCHA’s Senior Director of Resident Initiatives Shanna Castillo, and more. The event was co-emceed by NYCHA Health Corps Member Sadiqa Scott.
“NYCHA Health Corps is the great example of what we seek to achieve — a collaboration with City agency and nonprofit partners to build capacity in the preventive health and economic opportunity spaces, where NYCHA residents with lived experiences and backgrounds can apply their unique insights, experiences, and skills to advance health equity,” said Shanna Castillo. “I have no doubt that all Corps members will continue to accomplish their professional goals – whether it is employment, higher education, and/or continued AmeriCorps service.”
The second cohort starts in September and will feature a 10-month service term. To learn more about NYCHA Health Corps, visit https://www.nycservice.org/nycha_health_corps. To stay up to date on other training and employment opportunities, visit NYCHA’s Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability Office’s website at http://opportunitynycha.org.
Featured photo caption: NYCHA Health Corps Members pictured at the recognition ceremony. Photo by NYC Service Digital Engagement Coordinator Danny Alvarado.