CAREER & EDUCATION
Building Community. Growing Leaders.

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.
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CHAMPION (Job training, placement and retention services)
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HSE Prep Course (High School Equivalency preparation)
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SYEP (Summer work experience for young people)
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Work Learn Grow (Paid employment opportunities)
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Cypress Hills Business Partners (Merchants' Association for local businesses)
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TE@CH (Advanced Transportation Training)
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Careers That Care (Advanced Healthcare Training)
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Building East New York (Advanced Construction Training)
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PerScholas (IT Training)
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Hot Bread Kitchen (Culinary Skills Training)
Contact:
Lowell Herschberger, MSW
Director, Career and Education Programs
276 Chestnut St, Brooklyn, NY 11208
The C&E Network provides a clear pathway into living-wage employment in careers with high-growth potential in NYC.
CHAMPION Training Program
CHAMPION provides everything young adults need to start their journey. This foundational sequence focuses exclusively on out-of-school / out-of-work, 16-24 year olds. Members gain a strong start through individualized assessment, work readiness training, and even earn an introductory credential in customer service and sales. Some members may qualify for a 175-hour paid internship ($15/hr.) before moving on to one of the C&E Network’s advanced training options described below. Members have support from a career advisor, mental health specialist and job developer, so they are fully prepared to start the career pathway of their dreams.
Online information sessions are currently held three times a week, excluding holidays. Visit our linktree to join: CHAMPION Info Sessions
If you have questions, please contact:
Diamond Boston
CHAMPION Program Director EO/ACCES-VR Liaison
276 Chestnut Street, Brooklyn, NY 11208
(845) 328-2578 ext. 5111
Healthcare Advanced Training
Successful graduates from CHAMPION can receive a scholarship to enter the health sector through Careers That Care. Healthcare careers are among the fastest growing and highest paying occupations in the area. Graduates typically become part of a union, get access to even more advanced training and excellent benefits making Careers that Care an excellent stepping stone into the healthcare sector.
Careers that Care is for young adults between the ages of 18-24. Training takes place at the Royal Learning Institute & CUNY Kingsborough. Graduates become licensed in one of these high-demand, entry-level health professions:
EKG Technician
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Phlebotomy Technician
Candidates must have a high school diploma or a HSE. Interested candidates should complete the following: Healthcare Advanced Training Interest Form
If you have questions, please contact:
Stephanie Aviles
Program Director, Careers That Care
276 Chestnut Street, Brooklyn, NY 11208
(845) 328-2584 ext. 5116
Careersthatcare@cypresshills.org
Transportation Advanced Training
Thousands of well-paying, union and non-union jobs in the transportation sector are going unfilled every year. Gaining a CDL is one simple pathway directly into solid employment. TE@CH is a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training program with job placement with an Access-A-Ride company. Participants will obtain their CDLClass C Driver’s License with Passenger Endorsement. This is the entry level CDL that gets you started in the profession of driving and it does not even require a road test. You simply must be:
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18-30 Years of age
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Regular Driver’s License for 3 years (no suspensions during that period)
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No serious violations (no more than 4 points on license)
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No major adult criminal history. Evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Qualified CHAMPION graduates are assured of a spot into TE@CH. If you are 25 years old and up contact TE@CH directly:
Jessen Vasquez
Program Coordinator
276 Chestnut Street, Brooklyn, NY 11208
(845) 328-2705 ext. 5117
IT Training
We are now offering technology training with Per Scholas to offer Satellite IT Support courses. Satellite IT Support courses offer the opportunity to earn the Google IT Support Professional Certificate and the CompTIA A+ certification, equipping our program participants with the knowledge to fill a wide range of entry-level technology jobs.
If you have any questions about enrollment, please contact:
Nadine Sudlow
Per Scholas Satellite Program Coordinator
276 Chestnut Street, Brooklyn, NY 11208
(845) 328-2570 ext. 5112
Culinary Training
We've partnered with Hot Bread Kitchen, to provide local Cypress Hills and East New York residents the opportunity to take a culinary skills training classes. Classes will take place at the Cypress Hills East New York Community Center, located at 276 Chestnut Street, Brooklyn, NY 11208.
Through these courses, participants learn about cooking techniques and safety measures that will help them become professionals within the food business. Classes will be held on Mondays from 5pm to 8pm, for 6 weeks starting April 17th to May 26th.
Learn more about Hot Bread Kitchen here
See flyer below and if you have any questions about enrollment, please contact:
Jessen Vasquez
Program Coordinator
276 Chestnut Street, Brooklyn, NY 11208
(845) 328-2705 ext. 5117


Construction Advanced Training
Construction is booming in our neighborhood with several thousand apartments being built in the next few years. The advanced construction skills training streamlines the hiring process of local residents to sites in our area. From entry level candidates to skilled tradesmen, all are encouraged to apply. Individuals who live in Cypress Hills / East New York that are 18+ years old are eligible to receive their OSHA 30 and 10 hr SST and direct introduction to local contractors who need workers. 18-24 year olds that live outside of the neighborhood are encouraged to apply
Qualified CHAMPION graduates are assured a spot. If you are 25 years old and up contact the coordinator directly:
Contact:
Catherine Genao
Building ENY Coordinator
276 Chestnut Street, Brooklyn, NY 11208
(845) 328-2737 ext. 5105
If you do not live in the area or you would prefer to compete for an opportunity in the Carpenter’s Union, Building Works might be the best fit. This is a highly-competitive, 6-week pre-apprenticeship program that prepares individuals for work in the Union Construction trades. Certifications offered include OSHA 10 Construction Safety, 40-Hour Hazardous Waste Worker, CPR, Scaffold, and others.
Typically, about 1 out of 5 applicants get accepted into this program. Contact for direct services:
Jessen Vasquez
Program Coordinator
276 Chestnut St, Brooklyn, NY 11208
(845) 328-2705 ext. 5117
HSE Prep Course
Many jobs and advanced training options require the High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma. Our HSE Prep Course prepares students for the GED, which replaced the TASC exam January 1st, 2022. In addition to academic support, participants work with HSE Advocates to plan personal, post-secondary educational and employment goals.
Classes are offered Monday through Thursday evening in the evening (6:00pm - 9:00pm) at the Cypress Hills East New York Community Center 276 Chestnut Street. We are also offering Reasoning Through Language Arts and Social Studies on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30am to 11:30am. In the Spring, we plan to offer Math and Science classes. Registration occurs between Tuesday and Thursday from 1pm to 5pm.
Contact:
Malcolm Joyles
Program Director
276 Chestnut St, Brooklyn, NY 11208
(315) 743-8325 ext. 5104
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: Friday, March 31st
Apply Here: https://application.nycsyep.com/
Contact:
Nicole Vasquez
276 Chestnut St, Brooklyn, NY 11208
(845) 328-2608 ext. 5120
nicolev@cypresshills.org
Work Learn Grow
Work, Learn and Grow Program is a youth program designed to extend student's skills and experiences gained through CCM's Summer Youth 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:
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Government Agencies
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Hospitals
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Non-Profits
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Small Businesses
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Law Firms
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Museums
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Sports Enterprises
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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:
Nicole Vasquez
Program Director, WLG
276 Chestnut St, Brooklyn, NY 11208
If you’re looking for a particular service, but don’t know the name of the program, head to the “How Can We Help You?” form so a program staff member can contact you directly.