JobsFirst NYC

A New Era for Workforce Development in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

On March 3rd, the JobsFirst team—including Board members Gregory Hambric, Clive Harrow, and Alan Momeyer—traveled to Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) for the official launch of the NEPA Workforce Funder Collaborative at the Scranton Area Community Foundation (SACF).

The event was a powerful convening of local leaders, affirming what’s possible when a community invests in itself and its next generation. John Cosgrove, CEO of All-One Foundation, shared a strong regional sentiment: leaders in the area are constantly striving for synergy, often saying, “We have to make 1 plus 1 equal 3.” John Yudichak, President of Luzerne County Community College, echoed this, noting: “We know that we all have to collaborate—educators, nonprofits, employers, and philanthropy.”

Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of Scranton Area Community Foundation, reinforced that message, stating, “Our neutrality paired with our efforts moved us forward. Fragmentation limits economic mobility. A true workforce needs alignment.” It was this spirit of collaboration that led JobsFirst NYC to partner with SACF in 2024.

Our CEO and President, Marjorie Parker, expressed pride in bringing JobsFirst NYC’s 20 years of experience to support the work already underway in NEPA. “We weren’t just there to lead; we were there to partner with a community that already knows how to adapt and thrive.”

JobsFirst was also thrilled to introduce Shanie Mohamed as Executive Director for JobsFirst NEPA—a leader with deep community roots and a vision to drive real economic mobility.

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to this incredible launch; your presence and support made all the difference.

We were excited for the official JobsFirst NEPA launch event on April 28 in Northeastern Pennsylvania and continued to follow along as the JobsFirst Movement by Design unfolded.

🏙️ Celebrating Resilience and Innovation in Brownsville

This , invites you to explore the deep roots of culture and the future of innovation in one of Brooklyn’s most resilient neighborhoods.

JobsFirstNYC is a proud partner in the Brownsville Hub Cooperative (BHC). Developed alongside the Justice Center, in Brownsville, the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation, Board 16, and a dedicated group of local stakeholders, the BHC is a collective engine for economic and educational opportunity.

At the heart of this work is the Design Center (YDC)—a youth creative agency and innovation hub. The YDC has provided a gateway for young people to:

🛠️ Master marketable STEAM skills.
🎓 Access post-secondary education.
📈 Achieve long-term economic mobility.
🏗️ Lead place-based community revitalization.

📽️ Spotlight: Roots of Resilience: Chronicles of Brownsville

Check out the "untold stories" of this community through the immersive documentary series. Roots of Resilience: Chronicles of Brownsville

Join us in celebrating the powerful voices, the history, and the future of Brownsville.

Happy Black History Month!



https://www.youthdesigncenter.org/about

A new national report from Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly shows a sharp rise in low literacy among 16–24-year-olds, increasing from 16% in 2017 to 25% in 2023, meaning roughly 5 million young adults can only interpret basic short texts but struggle with longer or more complex reading. Despite more young adults earning high school diplomas, literacy scores have dropped the most within this group, raising concerns about whether graduates are meeting skill expectations.

JobsFirstNYC’s work with District 79 foregrounds literacy as a key element of the college-and-career process. According to JobsFirstNYC VP, Jeremy Greenfield, "Many young people in high school and high school equivalency programs have not received the literacy support they deserved when they were younger. That's why JobsFirstNYC and our partners integrate literacy scaffolds into all the work we do." Read more about District 79 here.

Pathways Beyond Graduation: Reimagining the High School Equivalency Experience - JobsFirstNYC On June 18, students from across New York City gathered at Brooklyn Borough Hall to be honored for reaching a milestone in their journeys toward new careers. Held at Brooklyn Borough Hall’s former Brooklyn Supreme Courtroom, the ceremony recognized students from District 79, the city’s Alternati...