Job Bonanza for Bushwick Young Adults

Bushwick 1000 Launches

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso (left) presented a check for the funding of Bushwick 1000. Also pictured (l to r): Beatrice Brown (St. Nicks Alliance), Larry Rothchild (St. Nicks Alliance), Charmaine Bourbon (OBT), Maria Viera (RiseBoro), Sarah Lorya (St. Nicks Alliance), Evelyn Ortiz (OBT), Greg Rideout (OBT), Andy Collado (RiseBoro). *Photo credit: Office of the Brooklyn Borough President*

A job fair is a prime way to launch a multi-year initiative aimed to secure employment for 1,000 unemployed young adults from Bushwick. Therefore, a job fair went into full swing at St. Nicks Alliance Workforce Development Center (92 Throop Avenue) shortly after Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso stated Bushwick 1000 is in effect. Ninety people attended the job fair to connect with resources and opportunities.

The Bushwick 1000 initiative is a partnership with three nonprofit organizations who have a proven record of workforce development and employment connection in Bushwick: RiseBoro, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT), and St. Nicks Alliance. This initiative arose from a round-table conversation with Bushwick community leaders in 2024. Reynoso has allocated $150K in discretionary funding to be distributed across the three organizations per year over four years.

“Brooklynites from every corner of this borough deserve pathways to stability and success, right in their own neighborhoods,” said Reynoso. “Bushwick 1000 is based on a simple promise — if you’re in need of work, Brooklyn has your back. As this city faces serious economic pressures, Bushwick 1000 ensures that young people from this neighborhood are empowered to build a future in the borough that raised them. This is how we prevent displacement and uplift the communities that have always made Brooklyn great.”

NYPD was among the many potential employers at the job fair that followed the Bushwick 1000 launch event. *Photo credit: Office of the Brooklyn Borough President*

“With the support of Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, St. Nicks Alliance Workforce Development Center, along with OBT and RiseBoro, are able to more deeply serve the residents of Bushwick with industry recognized trainings in the healthcare, technology, building trades and financial services sectors. St. Nicks Alliance offers fourteen trainings that provide industry-recognized certifications, paid work experience and career placement support. We thank our local employer partners for their commitment to hiring locally and providing mentorship and support,” said Larry Rothchild, senior managing director of Workforce Development at St. Nicks Alliance.