CAREER & EDUCATION
Building Community. Growing Leaders.
We provide vital career and education services to Cypress Hills' residents, helping them develop and reach their educational and employment goals!
The C&E Network provides a clear pathway into living-wage employment in careers with high-growth potential in NYC.
We specialize in supporting young adults who are ready to excel in the workforce by providing customizable training sequences, one-on-one coaching, and other career development services. Our members gain educational and economic success and develop leadership skills to transform their lives and community.
Train & Earn (Workforce training, Internship, job assistance and retention services)
YouthBuild Ignite (High School Equivalency preparation and training in Construction or Healthcare)
SYEP (Summer work experience for young people)
Work Learn Grow (Paid employment opportunities for high school students who are alumni of SYEP)
Cypress Hills Business Partners (Business counseling and training for local businesses)
Transportation (Commercial driver's license (CDL) Class C preparation)
Building East New York (Advanced Construction Training for adults on SNAP)
Per Scholas Satellite (IT Support and Cybersecurity Training)
Cypress Hills Community Kitchen (Shared kitchen incubator program for food businesses)
CONTACT:
Lowell Herschberger, MSW
TRAIN & EARN
Train & Earn provides everything young adults need to start their journey. This foundational sequence focuses exclusively on out-of-school / out-of-work, 18-24 year olds. Members gain a strong start through individualized assessment, work readiness training and internship, with support from a career advisor, mental health specialist and job developer, so they are fully prepared to start the career pathway of their dreams.
We offer two sector-based tracks where the following credentials can be obtained:
Technology: CompTIA A+, Google IT Support Professional Certificate
Industrial: National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Core, 30-Hour
OSHA Construction Authorization, Site Safety Supportive Scaffolding, Flagger. Driver's License Training (Class D), CDL Training (Class C) (optional)
Eligibility Requirements:
● 18-24 years old
● Not attending or enrolled in secondary or for-credit postsecondary school
● Has high school diploma (HSD) or equivalent (HSE)
● Authorized to work in the U.S.
● If male, has or willing to complete Selective Registration
All applicants must come in-person to an information session, where they complete an
application and are scheduled for an interview. Documentation submission of (but not limited to)
HSD or equivalent, Social Security Card and ID will be required.
If you have questions, please contact:
Diamond Boston (Technology)
trainandearntechnology@cypresshills.org
845-328-2578
Kymsha Henry (Industrial)
trainandearnindustrial@cypresshills.org
845-328-2526
Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer/ProgramAuxiliary Aids and Services are Available upon Request to Individuals with Disabilities/TTY#: (1800) 662-1220
WORK LEARN GROW
Work, Learn and Grow Program is a youth program designed to extend high school student's skills and experiences gained through the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). WLG provides career readiness training and paid employment opportunities for up to 25 weeks from October to April. Participants work in a variety of entry-level jobs including: Government Agencies, Hospitals, Non-Profits, Small Businesses, Law Firms, Museums, Sports Enterprises, Retail Organizations
WLG career readiness training focuses on topics that include career exploration, financial literacy, conflict resolution, resume/cover letter development and opportunities to continue education and social growth.
CONTACT:
Christine Rohoo
CYPRESS HILLS BUSINESS PARTNERS
Cypress Hills Business Partners is a Small Business Counseling & Education program designed for small businesses at all stages of their business journey. Entrepreneurs meet with a dedicated business counselor to develop a business plan, marketing strategy and more, to help them reach their goals. The Business Partners team also facilitates a wide variety of workshops focused on financing, branding, marketing and AI.
CONTACT:
Maribel Marmol
Latinx in Business Program by Unidos
Cypress Hills Business Partners offers the Latinx in Business Program by UnidosUS, providing digital upskill training for business owners and future entrepreneurs. This 10-hour program offered in English and Spanish, helps current and future business owners launch or expand their business, increase their online presence, market their business and products, and learn about and make use of essential digital tools and applications. As a result of this, Latinx business owners can upskill, reskill, and leverage their skills to expand and grow their business to become more competitive in the global market.
If you are interested in registering for an upcoming Latinx in Business workshop, please click here.
For more information about the Latinx in Business program, reach out to the contact below:
Orlando Matamoros
(347) 450-9281
PER SCHOLAS SATELLITE
We are a Per Scholas Satellite, offering the Brooklyn community technology training in IT Support and Cybersecurity, equipping our program participants with the knowledge to fill a wide range of entry-level technology jobs.
If you have any questions about enrollment:
CONTACT:
Dayna Blake
TRANSPORTATION ADVANCED TRAINING
Every year, thousands of well-paying union and non-union jobs in the transportation sector go unfilled. Earning your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is a direct and simple pathway to a stable, rewarding career.
Our Transportation Training Program prepares you for the CDL Class C License with Passenger Endorsement, the entry-level CDL required to begin working in the transportation industry. Best of all, this license does not require a road test.
We also offer job placement with an Access-A-Ride company, so you can start working right after completing the program.
Eligibility Requirements:
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Must be 21 years or older
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Have a valid driver’s license for at least 3 years (with no suspensions during that time)
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No major violations (no more than 4 points on your license)
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No significant adult criminal history (evaluated on a case-by-case basis)
CONTACT:
Jessen Vasquez
(845) 328-2705
CYPRESS HILLS FULTON BID
The Cypress Hills Fulton BID has a vision to create a cleaner, brighter, safer, greener, more pedestrian-friendly, commercial corridor where businesses can thrive and grow while helping the community retain its diversity and affordability. Through the BID, merchants have a united voice to advocate for fair policies and services for the community.
The Cypress Hills Fulton Business Improvement District consists of business owners, property owners, residents, government officials, and community representatives who share a mission to maintain the vibrancy of Fulton Street.
For more information visit www.cypresshillsfultonbid.org
CONTACT:
Katty Garces
kattyg@cypresshills.org
CONSTRUCTION ADVANCED TRAINING
Construction is booming in East New York, with thousands of new apartments scheduled to be built in the coming years. Our Building East New York (BENY) program provides advanced construction skills training and connects local residents directly with job opportunities on nearby construction sites.
Whether you're just starting out or already experienced in the trades, entry-level candidates and skilled tradespeople alike are encouraged to apply.
If you have a high school diploma or GED and want to pursue a career in union construction, the Building Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program may be the right fit. This competitive, 6-week training program prepares participants for careers in the Carpenter’s Union. Certifications offered include OSHA 10 Construction Safety, 40-Hour Hazardous Waste Worker, CPR, Scaffold, and others.
Contact for direct services:
Claudia Quintero (BENY)
(315)-537-2291
Jessen Vasquez (Building Works)
(845)-328-2705
SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (SYEP)
The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) provides New York City youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with paid summer employment for up to six weeks in July and August. CHLDC hosts an SYEP program along with organizations in all five boroughs of New York City. There are two types of SYEP, Career Ready SYEP and Community Based SYEP. Here is how you can find out if you qualify for Career Ready or Community Based:
Career Ready SYEP: Career Ready SYEP has partnerships with certain high schools and is not open to all of the public. Any high school student between the ages of 14-21 yrs old that attends ANY school at Franklin K. Lane or Thomas Jefferson, are eligible for Career Ready SYEP.
Community Based SYEP: Community Based SYEP applications are open to ALL that are 16-24 yrs old, regardless of their school status. At the end of the application, youth will be prompted to choose a provider. If they would like to work with our agency, they must select Cypress Hills LDC as their primary provider before they submit their application.
Before completing your application, you will be asked if you want to submit your application to Career Ready or Community Based. Please be sure to submit your application based on the qualifications listed above.
Application Deadline: March 14th, 2025
Apply Here
Any Questions: Click here
CONTACT:
Kia Weekes
(347) 389-4001
YOUTHBUILD IGNITE
YouthBuild Ignite is a Brooklyn-based alternative school and vocational training program that enables unemployed, out-of-school young individuals, ages 18-24, to obtain their high school equivalency diplomas, develop tangible job skills, secure employment, and pursue higher education via college or vocational school. The program offers paid construction and health care training to students, providing them with valuable skills and certification from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (construction) and Prometric (healthcare), while helping to rehabilitate affordable housing in their community.
YouthBuild offers: Pre-HSE and HSE Prep; OSHA 30-Hour Construction Authorization/10-Hour Site Safety Training; NCCER Construction Certification; CNA Certification; Paid job training and certification (can earn up to $5,100.00); College and career placement assistance. Courses take place Monday through Friday, from 9am to 4pm at the Cypress Hills East New York Community Center located at 276 Chestnut Street, Brooklyn, NY 11208.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Must be 18 to 24 years old
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Most left high school without a diploma and are either a member of a low-income family, a foster care youth, a youth who is homeless, an offender, a youth with a disability, a child of an incarcerated parent, or a migrant youth.
YouthBuild Background
YouthBuild Ignite rises like the mythical phoenix, born from the legacy of YouthBuild programs that came before it. Just as the phoenix emerges from the ashes, renewed and stronger, YouthBuild Ignite embodies the rebirth of time-tested practices, blending them with modern innovations in youth development. This new program honors the wisdom of the past, while evolving to meet the needs of today’s young people. Like the phoenix, it represents transformation, reigniting the inherent potential within each youth, guiding them to rebuild their lives with purpose, strength, and resilience.
YouthBuild Ignite is a transformative youth development program that believes every young person already holds the power to shape their future. Unlike traditional programs that aim to pour into opportunity youth, YouthBuild Ignite sparks the innate potential that exists within each participant. Through mentorship, hands-on learning, and community-building, we empower young people to uncover their strengths, take control of their journey, and ignite the path to success—fueled by their own passion and drive.
If you have any more questions:
Peter Rodriguez
(347)-201-2239
COMMUNITY KITCHEN
Welcome to the Cypress Hills East New York Community Kitchen!
We now have brand new state of the art kitchen rental space located in the heart of Cypress Hills Brooklyn ran and operated with the mission to help companies grow. We offer a host of free classes, workshops and events with both cold and dry Storage space available on site makes production convenient and seamless.
Whether you would like to become a chef, help grow your local food business, or become an entrepreneur within the food industry, our Community Kitchen is the place to start. Below are the programs and opportunities offered at the Community Kitchen.
Kitchen Incubator: We are using our kitchen as an incubator to provide access to culinary based businesses in need of commercial cooking space and support to grow their business. If you are interested in joining the Kitchen Incubator program, fill out the interest form here.
Accepted Business Types: Baker, Beverage, Body Care, Caterer, Chef, Packaged Goods (CPG), Delivery-only, Farmer, Food Truck / Mobile Vendor, Meal Prep, Restaurateur, Vegan, Wellness
Kitchen Features, Equipment & Services:
Equipment: Range, Induction Cooktop, Commercial Oven, Convection Oven, Rack Oven, Tilt Skillet, Fryer, Mixer, Griddle, Proofer, Food Processor, Food Mixer, Food Slicer, Blast Freezer, and Prep Tables
Additional Services: Distribution Support, Freezer Storage, Business Consulting, Dry Storage, Incubation, and Cold Storage
CONTACT:
Maribel Marmol
Director of Cypress Hills Community Kitchen
276 Chestnut Street, Brooklyn, NY 11208
(929) 481-7566