Jobs-Plus Staten Island and WeCARE “Create Opportunities and Change Lives” in New York City

Jobs-Plus Staten Island and WeCARE are finding creative ways to reach the community and help employers during the pandemic.

Jobs-Plus Staten Island Finds Success with Pop-Up Tent Events

Throughout September, Jobs-Plus Staten Island launched weekly Pop-Up Tent Events serving six New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments. This initiative allowed the Jobs-Plus team to recruit new members and re-engage existing members for employment, job readiness, no-cost training, and financial counseling services. “We have assisted members with referrals for childcare, food, family support services, COVID-19 testing, telehealth services, and health insurance. We utilize our excellent partner relationships to connect members and other NYCHA residents to our community services like health insurance, childcare, and food assistance,” said Jobs-Plus Program Manager Marisol Figueroa.

The Jobs-Plus team used a questionnaire and Quick Response (QR) code to gather information from participants and conduct contactless appointment scheduling and virtual orientations. As part of the community support for work, they selected strategic locations for the tent set-up. They also used Facebook, Instagram, and text messaging to promote the events. “The tents provide great visibility and allow Jobs-Plus to connect with NYCHA residents in a safe social distance outdoor environment. Community Coaches Larissa Galindo Hunstock and Danielle Madison facilitate member engagement at each event with Assistant Director Angela D’Aiuto,” said Marisol.

Representatives from the New York City Administration for Children’s Services, Metro Plus Health Insurance, the U.S. Census Bureau, and CHASI/Brightpoint Health have also participated in the events to provide information and resources to residents on the services they offer.

These events allow the Jobs-Plus Staten Island Outreach and Member Service Teams to meet members where they are, especially during the pandemic, in a safe open-air environment. “We have engaged approximately 200 NYCHA residents across six developments and generated 11 new membership leads. We have already enrolled seven new members in September. After hearing a presentation by our U.S. Census partner, one of our Community Coaches completed her census on the spot,” said Marisol.

WeCARE ReWork Employment Initiative Council Host Mini-Workshops to Help Employers

WeCARE created the ReWork Employment Initiative Council to review critical employment needs, enhance community partnerships, and develop solutions to improve service deliverables. The Business Services Team began showcasing employers and training providers, as a byproduct of the Council, in weekly mini-workshops with customers via Zoom.

Production of the mini-workshops began on August 4. During the workshops, employers review their hiring needs and their application process. The training providers give an overview of their program and their registration requirements.

The employment sectors focused on positions available in security, culinary, administrative, direct support professional, and driver fields. The training providers offered OSHA, direct support professional, medical assistant, and security guard training.

Participating training providers and employers have included Building Skills New York, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Allied Universal, Brooklyn Educational Opportunity Center, GoodTemps Staffing, and the Queens Centers for Progress.

WeCARE Business Services Manager Shenise Elliott said, “The success of the mini-workshops has produced a total of 45 customers referred to open positions, and two customers registered for training. The mini-workshop series will continue through the end of the year.”