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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Cypress Hills Business Partners (Merchants' Association for local businesses)
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Work Learn Grow (Paid employment opportunities)
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Healthcare Training (Advanced Healthcare Training)
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Construction Training (Advanced Construction Training)
Contact:
Lowell Herschberger, MSW
Director, Career and Education Programs
276 Chestnut St, Brooklyn, NY 11208
(718) 715-8601
The C&E Network provides a clear pathway into living-wage employment in careers with high-growth potential in NYC.
CHAMPION
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
(347) 480-4502
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
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
(347) 201-1936
For employer and partnership inquiries please contact:
Martin Newell
Program Director
(347) 559-4235
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
(929) 333-5825
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
(347) 201-1936
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
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.
Young people can apply for the program online or at CHLDC during the application period (usually February through April). Participants are selected by lottery.
Contact:
Nicole Vasquez
276 Chestnut St, Brooklyn, NY 11208
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
Cypress Hills Business Partners
Cypress Hills Business Partners is a merchants association that supports community-friendly businesses to strengthen the local economy and expand workplace opportunities in Cypress Hills/East New York. With strong support from the NYC Department of Small Business Services, Cypress Hills Business Partners addresses such needs as security, marketing, sanitation/beautification and the pressures of gentrification. Currently there are 76 businesses enrolled in our program.
Visit shopcypresshills.com to view our business directory!
Read article about Business Partners from LISC
Why should you become a Cypress Hills Business Partner?
We offer a range of benefits to our Business Partners. In addition to positive publicity, we learn about the needs of your business and help you meet them by connecting you with trained and screened job applicants to fill open positions in your company. We provide ongoing support to help new employees transition to your workplace so they can succeed and support the success of your business. We also provide access to business support services through our network so you can help your business grow.
Our Business Partners demonstrate a commitment to local hiring by notifying us of all open employment positions and accepting referrals from our job applicants, sharing data with us on employee retention, and participating in business forums.
If you want to learn more about becoming a Cypress Hills Business Partner, contact:
Hugo Espinal
Director, Cypress Hills Business Partners
276 Chestnut St, Brooklyn, NY 11208
(718)-600-9343
To learn about our campaign to become a Business Improvement District click here.
Stay up to date with Cypress Hills Business Partners on Facebook!
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.