Dear GCF Community,
What a year! As our young adults from NYCHA lead and engage their communities for positive systemic change across environmental, racial and economic justice, your support has helped them thrive in 2022.
With the graduation of Cohorts 22 and 23 (including our first in person graduation in two years!), we’ve seen our amazing alumni transition to careers in sustainable construction, energy efficiency, urban agriculture, community health, zero-waste and youth development, paving the way in the green economy. Cohort 24 and our 2022 Eco-Hub Fellows have also been achieving amazing things and are set to graduate in January. Over the past year, all our young adults have made strides, honing their skills and engaging fellow NYCHA residents through daily service and major projects including rebuilds of our farm beds, installing a high tunnel at our Bay View Eco-Hub, and construction of our sixth Eco-Hub at Astoria Houses in Queens!
We’ve celebrated Earth Week together as NYCHA’s Civilian Climate Corps, been invited to share and advance our work at The Black Health & Wellness Forum, The Corps Network (TCN)’s Climate Action Summit, TCN’s National Friends of Service Awards, Forest for All NYC’s panel showcasing our Social Enterprise Tree Inventory team’s incredible progress, and Environmental Advocates of New York’s annual gala, in addition to hosting numerous other local outreach events from Juneteenth celebrations to our annual Harvest Fests and 20+ volunteer days.
We’ve also been excited to enter into new partnerships developing climate workforce opportunities across the city and state. And recently, AmeriCorps CEO Michael Smith, NYCHA’s Director of Health Initiatives Andrea Mata, and Congressman Jeffries’ District Director Maron Alemu visited our Howard Houses Eco-Hub to see our young adults in action as we collectively fight for their wellbeing and prosperous futures.
We’re excited that our work has gained so much recognition this year:
- How One NYCHA Complex in Brooklyn Is Going Green / Tiny Farm Teaches about Sustainability in Brooklyn NYCHA Complex | NBC New York, May 11, 2022
- The Unlikely Ascent of New York’s Compost Champion | The New York Times, May 13, 2022
- “Commemorating Juneteenth” | NYCHA Now, June 30, 2022
- ‘Drawing Together’ is awarded Norman B. Leventhal City Prize” | MIT, October 20, 2022
- “Governor Hochul Announces Ten Grand Prize Winners in the $85 Million New York Clean Transportation Prizes Program” | NY State, November 16, 2022
- “Revel receives more funding to build on Red Hook Superhub” | Electrive, November 17, 2022
- “Mayor Adams Appoints 26 Members to Sustainability Advisory Board” | NYC.Gov, December 8, 2022
- “Governor Hochul Announces $52 Million in Awards for Regional Clean Energy Hubs to Connect New York Communities with Clean Energy Resources” | NYState/NYSERDA, December 9, 2022
Our accomplishments in 2022 would not have been possible without you. We look forward to building on our momentum and reaching new heights together in 2023. As we connect with new communities and uplift even more young adults starting with Cohort 25, any contribution you can make to support our multi-year growth will help us get one step closer to realizing our inclusive, equitable #futuregreencity. Make a one-time or monthly donation to help us reach our goal. If you’re not in a place to donate but would still like to support, share this blog with a friend!
On behalf of everyone here at GCF, thank you all for believing in our vision and championing our mission.
We are truly a movement. We are the Force!
Wishing everyone safe, healthy, warm and restful holidays,
Green City Force
