Dear GCF Community – alumni, partners, friends, advocates and supporters,
As we continue to amplify our work, we’re excited to share some big news and recent updates with you! We thank you for your participation, energy, partnership and support – critical elements that hoist GCF to these new heights. GCF is on the move, and we’ll need you to continue moving on ahead!
NYC GREEN ECONOMY ACTION PLAN ANNOUNCEMENT
GCF is proud to be a key workforce development partner in NYC’s Green Economy Action Plan, launched last week by NYC Mayor Eric Adams, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development.
Together with other community partners, the city’s Green Economy Action Plan centers on the development of a Climate Innovation Hub at Brooklyn Army Terminal to create 400,000 #GreenCollarJobs by 2040.
With GCF as a cornerstone partner for equitable green workforce training and environmental justice, the plan is a roadmap for just economic advancement opportunities. It builds on the Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice “PlaNYC: Getting Sustainability Done,” also known as NYC’s Strategic Climate Plan, launched last year as well as the national American Climate Corps initiative, and GCF’s own multiyear strategic plan to connect over 800 young adults from frontline NYC communities to prosperous green career pathways by 2025 and beyond.
bottom photo – credit to The Mayor’s Office
A team from GCF including our new Eco-Hub Fellows, Senior Coordinator for Programs and Partnerships Hakim Jeffrey, and Alumni Retention Manager Shontanyce Bailey joined the announcement alongside GCF’s Executive Director Tonya Gayle; Mayor Adams; NYC’s Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic, and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer; NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball; and many other city and climate leaders.
Mayor Adams noted that, “what Green City Force is doing, is showing these young people that this is an issue that impacts them…and they are ambassadors to other young people to say that the climate change conversation is not a conversation that they are omitted from.”
CON ED CLEAN ENERGY & TECH CAREERS GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT
GCF is also thrilled to share that we were selected as one of four grantees for Con Edison’s new Clean Energy and Technology Careers Grant! We are excited to continue our partnership with Con Edison with this three year $1 million investment, to expand our clean energy careers, workforce development training and placement alongside partners like Empire Clean Cities and ChargerHelp! as well as others.
At the public announcement held at Con Ed’s Learning Center in Queens on February 29th, GCF’s Cohort 6 graduate Bernard Smith, now a full-time General Utility Worker with Con Edison, was highlighted and celebrated for his career success. Bernard, you are a shining star and excellent role model for all New Yorkers as well as the #futuregreencity Corps Members and graduates who will be coming after you!
Pix11 News Video Segment Featuring Bernard
NY1 Con Ed News Video Segment Featuring Bernard
This investment from Con Ed will support us in ensuring that New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents and other New Yorkers from disadvantaged communities like Bernard are able to build the skills, receive training, and earn certifications they need to launch a career in the green economy, especially in the clean energy field.
We’re honored to be chosen alongside fellow award winners – it is a true testament of the collective work to combat the climate crisis and the opportunities to come in preparing a diverse green workforce supporting NY’s clean energy goals for a more equitable future.
CORPS MEMBER UPDATES
Our Corps Members are the beating heart of GCF and we can’t wait to celebrate Cohort 26 and 2023 Eco-Hub Fellows’ upcoming graduation on March 22nd in the Bronx! If you haven’t already RVSP’d, please do so by March 18th at greencityforceevents.org.
Among their many accomplishments, we’re proud to share that Cohort 26 achieved a 100% Green Professional Training (GPRO) certification pass rate – the first cohort to collectively reach this mark!
PARTNER UPDATES
Last but not least, GCF continues to provide thought leadership and strengthen borough-specific partnerships that deepen our work.
This week, GCF partner Brooklyn Org and the Center for Urban Future released the galvanizing report “50 Ideas for a Just and Equitable Brooklyn” featuring input from GCF Executive Director Tonya Gayle.
GCF also recently participated in the announcement of the new H.E.Arts Community Center alongside South Bronx United and several other Bronx community partners. This space will be designed by and for the community and will support us in further growing our workforce and community development in the Bronx in the coming years.
We’re looking forward to building on all these momentous milestones, with our young adults in every borough leading our #futuregreencity rooted in environmental, economy and social justice. Thank you for being part of this important work.
We are a Movement, We are The Force!
In service and solidarity,
The GCF team