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APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2026
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City’s mission, to ‘GROW’ green jobs On Earth Day city unveiled a $4.5 milGarcia said the program will help lion pilot program aimed at expanding ensure those systems are properly mainthe city’s green workforce while main- tained while creating pathways to stable taining critical infrastructure designed employment. to combat flooding and climate change. Participants will also receive profesMayor Zohran Mamdani and Depart- sional development and job-readiness ment of Environmental Protection Com- training to support long-term careers in missioner Lisa F. Garcia revealed the environmental and water management three-year initiative, known as Green sectors. The program includes a comReadiness Opportunities for the Work- munity engagement component aimed force, or GROW, in partnership with The at connecting residents in East New Doe Fund. The program will train New York and South Ozone Park with local Yorkers — particularly those stewardship efforts. who have experienced incarJennifer Mitchell, presiceration, homelessness or dent and CEO of The Doe s u b s t a n c e abu s e — fo r Fund, said the initiative careers in green infrastruchighlights the connection ture and environmental between workforce developstewardship. ment and environmental “The initiative will comsustainability. bine classroom instruction, “Programs like GROW hands-on fieldwork and demonstrate the incredible career development, Mamdapotential at the intersection ni said in a news release. of workforce development An 18-member crew will and environmental stewardbe tasked with maintaining ship,” Mitchell said in the 1,035 rain gardens in East release. “We are proud to New York, Brooklyn, and Julia Kerson partner with DEP on an iniSouth Ozone Park, Queens. Deputy mayor for tiative that creates opportuThe Doe Fund will oversee operations nity for individuals while the program with support helping build a g reener, from the Gowanus Canal more resilient New York Conservancy and Public Works Part- City.” ners. The Doe Fund’s flagship Ready, WillDeputy Mayor for Operations Julia ing & Able program has connected nearKerson said the program reflects the ly 15,000 people experiencing homelesscity’s broader approach to climate resil- ness to jobs, housing or both, while ience and workforce equity. reducing recidivism. More information “As we confront climate change and is available at DOE.org. the severe weather it brings, sustainAndrea Parker, executive director of ability and resilience must be written the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, said into the infrastructure we advance and maintaining g reen infrastructure the jobs we champion,” Kerson said in requires specialized training that the the release. “This partnership repre- program will help provide. sents the inclusive, climate-ready future “Building a sustainable city means our city requires.” equipping New Yorkers to care for it,” Rain gardens — curbside systems Parker said in the release. “In collaboradesigned to capture and absorb storm- tion with The Doe Fund and DEP, we are water — are a key part of the city’s envi- energized to expand workforce developronmental strategy. Each installation ment to more New Yorkers who are can hold up to 2,500 gallons of rainwa- interested and ready to step into green ter, reducing strain on sewer systems jobs.” and limiting pollution in local waterThe Gowanus Canal Conservancy, ways. The city has installed more than which develops and maintains green 16,000 green infrastructure assets, infrastructure and leads environmental including rain gardens, green roofs and training programs, will assist with curpermeable pavement. riculum development. More informa-
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his partnership represents the inclusive, climate-ready future our city requires.
NYC DEP
New York City launched a $4.5 million pilot program aimed at expanding the city’s green workforce. Above, a rain garden that will add to the city’s environmental infrastructure. tion is available at GowansCanalConservancy.org. Public Works Partners, an urban planning and consulting firm, will also support the initiative. The firm has worked with more than 100 organizations on community and economic development projects. More information is available at PublicWorksPartners.com The DEP, which manages the city’s water supply and wastewater systems for nearly 10 million residents, said the GROW program represents a step toward integrating
climate resilience with economic opportunity. For more information about DEP, go to NYC.gov/dep. — Jeffrey Bessen