State Seeks Org To Implement Storm Resiliency Job Training Program For Low-Income Residents Of Southern Brooklyn

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration is looking for organizations willing to take a bundle of state cash and turn it into a job training program aimed at low and very low income New Yorkers in Southern Brooklyn and Staten Island.

The Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR) announced today that it has allocated up to $200,000 to fund the creation of the Disaster Recovery Workforce Training Program, which would provide on-the-job training, while contributing to the long-term resiliency of the state.

The goal of the program is to facilitate recovery-focused employment opportunities while connecting these individuals with critically-important jobs such as those related to the salvaging and deconstruction of vacant homes as part of the NY Rising Buyout and Acquisition Program.

Developed by the Gravesend and Bensonhurst NY Rising Community Reconstruction (NYRCR) Planning Committee, in conjunction with GOSR’s Division of Monitoring and Compliance, the program would focus on serving public housing residents or low to very-low income.

Low-income is defined as 80 percent or below the median income of that area and very low-income is defined as 50 percent or below the median income of that area.

“The Disaster Recovery Workforce Training Program will not only provide opportunities for low-income New Yorkers, but will also play a substantial role in helping the State execute impactful workforce development programs,” said Executive Director of GOSR, Jamie Rubin. “Through this effort, we strive to engage Section 3 residents and help them to become actively involved in New York’s recovery. This undertaking is not only beneficial to participants who will be developing essential job skills, but also to the State as a whole.”

GOSR is requesting applications from non-profit organizations that have the expertise and capacity to oversee the program implementation and administration.

Once selected, program administrator(s) will be expected to conduct disaster recovery training workshops in Gravesend and Bensonhurst, as well as on-the-job training pertaining to the salvaging of salable appliances, fixtures, woodwork, cabinetry and other items within vacant State-owned homes. The organization will also be responsible for providing transportation for program participants between Brooklyn and Staten Island.

Training opportunities will include those pertaining to health and safety practices, mold remediation, sump pump operation and maintenance, trap clean out, electrical work and deconstruction.

Non-profit organizations interested in administering these funds and developing the program are directed to the Procurement Opportunities page of the GOSR website.

Respondents have until Tuesday, May 19, 2015 to formally respond to GOSR’s notice of available funding. One or more organization will be selected to administer the program following GOSR’s review of submissions.

NYRCR Program seeks to empower storm-impacted communities, helping them to build back better and stronger than before. Altogether, more than 650 New Yorkers served on 66 NYRCR committees, which have collectively proposed approximately 700 locally-oriented projects.

GOSR, which was established in 2013, coordinates statewide recovery efforts for Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.