Initiative partners with Brooklyn organizations to secure employment for 1,000 young adults from Bushwick
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BROOKLYN, NY — Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso today announced the launch of Bushwick 1000, a multi-year initiative to secure employment for 1,000 unemployed young adults from Bushwick. The Bushwick 1000 initiative is a partnership with three nonprofit organizations who have a proven record of workforce development and employment connection in Bushwick: RiseBoro, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, and St. Nicks Alliance. To support the initiative, which arose from a round table conversation with Bushwick community leaders in 2024, Borough President Reynoso has allocated $150,000 in discretionary funding to be distributed across the three organizations per year over four years.
“Brooklynites from every corner of this borough deserve pathways to stability and success, right in their own neighborhoods,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Bushwick 1000 is based on a simple promise – if you’re in need of work, Brooklyn has your back. As this city faces serious economic pressures, Bushwick 1000 ensures that young people from this neighborhood are empowered to build a future in the borough that raised them. This is how we prevent displacement and uplift the communities that have always made Brooklyn great, and I am so excited to work with Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, RiseBoro, and St. Nick’s to make this a reality for the young people of Bushwick.”
Bushwick 1000 kicked off with a check presentation at St. Nicks Alliance Workforce Development Center, followed by a job fair that connected Brooklynites with workforce development programs and hiring companies. Ninety people attended the job fair to connect with resources and opportunities.
“Workforce development is integral to building strong, resilient communities,” said Kieran Harrington, CEO of RiseBoro Community Partnership. “We are proud to partner with Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, and St. Nick’s Alliance to support the Bushwick 1000 initiative and provide employment opportunities to Bushwick residents—because when Bushwick’s workforce thrives, everyone thrives.”
“As Co-CEO’s of OBT, we are proud to partner with RiseBoro, St. Nick’s, and Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso to expand access to job readiness and placement services for Bushwick residents. At OBT, our mission has always been rooted in breaking cycles of poverty and inequity. By connecting individuals to career pathways and equipping them with the skills to succeed, we will help build a stronger, more economically resilient Bushwick Community,” said Co-CEOs of RiseBoro Evelyn Ortiz and Greg Rideout.
“With the support of Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, St. Nicks Alliance Workforce Development Center, along with OBT and RiseBoro, are able to more deeply serve the residents of Bushwick with industry recognized trainings in the healthcare, technology, building trades and financial services sectors. St. Nicks Alliance offers 14 trainings that provide industry recognized certifications, paid work experience and career placement support. We thank our local employer partners for their commitment to hiring locally and providing mentorship and support. Thank you Borough President Reynoso for supporting more Bushwick residents on their path to economic stability and career growth as our Workforce Center has done for the past 28 years,” said Larry Rothchild, Senior Managing Director of Workforce Development at St. Nicks Alliance.
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