Change Food for Good’s Mission

The Intersection of Agriculture, Tech, and Construction

Change Food for Good has developed a suite of workforce programs that cater to different segments of the population. These include AgTech 101, a STEM education program for in-school youth aged 14-18, and Intro to AgTech, which engages young adults aged 16-24 in learning about the intersections of agriculture, technology, and construction. The organization also offers an internship program for Intro to AgTech grads that subsidizes alumni employment for 3-6 months, providing them with valuable work experience and supports local businesses in hiring diverse talent. The internships include industry-aligned certifications and areas of focus, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, and 2D/3D design.

Adapting to New York City’s current needs, Change Food for Good has begun direct food relief through a tailored, on-demand ordering system, providing 10,000 lbs of free food to over 700 residents over the last 18 months. They have also introduced travel assistance and remote device support to mitigate the rising costs of transit and support remote learning/work.

“Our programming is highly adaptive to the emerging subsectors within sustainability. We offer an empowering training model that supports participants in pursuing the career paths they are most passionate about while meeting the needs of green sector employers,” said Sam Lemfadli, CEO and Founder of Change Food for Good.

Central to their programming are equity-building resources like housing support, workshops on home ownership and entrepreneurship, and education about worker-owned cooperatives.

Bringing a Global Perspective to Work

Working with Vertical Farms LTD, a farm system service provider in Kenya, Change Food for Good matched two alumni, Fatima Rimi and Pammi Balani, from their Intro to AgTech program to develop a website for Vertical Farms LTD. This project not only provided the alumni with valuable experience but also led to ongoing employment as they were retained on a maintenance contract for quarterly updates. This collaboration highlights the organization’s ability to leverage resources to strengthen food systems and provide alumni with sustainable employment opportunities.

Mission

Creating Impactful Summer Experiences for Youth

On August 3, 2023, NYCETC visited BCNY’s Abbe Clubhouse in Flushing, Queens. The four-floor space was bustling with programming for all ages. Ron Britt, BCNY’s Managing Director of Programs, gave us a tour of the various programs happening that day – swimming, basketball, high school application prep, studio art, and wellness meetings for both the young members and their families.

Carlos Vicente Sanchez, BCNY alumnus and former Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) participant, shared how BCNY supported him during his formative years and how the SYEP program prepared him for success as a college student. As a first-generation college student, he found BCNY’s holistic, year-round programs, including high school and college access mentoring, immensely helpful. Through SYEP, he developed exceptional communication, patience, and teamwork abilities that allow him to thrive in college classes. After graduation, he plans to work in the finance sector and stay involved with nonprofits serving young New Yorkers.

This summer, BCNY is hosting a new cohort of SYEP teens to help run its programming and learn more about employer expectations and their own career interests.

In addition to meeting SYEP alumni and teens, NYCETC and Mr. Britt discussed the importance of individualized and holistic support for college access and alternative training paths, like training programs that lead to certifications and pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship programs. With the post-pandemic increase of out-of-school and out-of-work young adults, especially young men of color, greater investment in community programs providing a multifaceted approach to college and career preparation like BCNY’s programs, is essential. For more about BCNY’s teen training programs, you can read more here.

The Boys’ Club of New York’s Abbe Clubhouse offers a variety of activities, including basketball, swimming, high school access, STEAM programming, art classes, homework help, tutoring, college and career support, and year-round wellness services to boys and young men. Each year, participants in the Summer Youth Employment Program play a crucial role in providing younger boys with meaningful and supportive summer experiences while also fostering their own professional growth.

Ron Britt, Managing Director of Programs at the Boys’ Club of New York in Flushing, has been working with young adults since the 1980s. He explained, “During that time, Henry Street Settlement in the Lower East Side partnered with BCNY for SYEP, which was primarily aimed at strengthening the Boys’ Club’s existing programming. When I arrived in Flushing in ’92, SYEP helped fulfill an important demand for youth workers each summer when our clubhouse reaches its capacity with nearly 500 members, aged 7 years and up. Our partnerships with organizations like the Chinese American Planning Council and Queens Community House assisted us in connecting with young adults to meet this demand.”

Get Involved

Learn more about BCNY’s free, year-round programming in Flushing and East Harlem and follow their free expansion programming updates on social media. Providers that are interested in making referrals or partnering on programming, may contact Avita Bansee, BCNY’s Managing Director of Communications and Partnerships at avita.bansee@bcny.org.

Stay up-to-date on BCNY’s work through their newsletter, and on social Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

STRIVE’s Mission

Holistically Serving Diverse Populations

STRIVE operates three core program pathways tailored to meet the needs of its student population, which predominantly includes Black and Latino individuals ages 18 and up with little or no income at the time of enrollment.

STRIVE places a strong emphasis on elevating student and employer voices in program evaluation and design, ensuring that the services provided are truly aligned with their needs.

1. STRIVE Career Path: This signature program is a 10-12 week sectoral training model designed to prepare students for careers in growing industries such as healthcare support and office operations; and construction and maintenance. Participants can earn certifications like OSHA 30, EPA Lead RRP, Microsoft Office, and Electronic Health Records Specialist, positioning them for success in high-demand fields.

2. STRIVE Future Leaders: Launched in 2015, this program serves justice-impacted young adults ages 18-24, providing workforce training, career exploration, educational enrichment, and work experience. The program takes 6 to 16 weeks to complete, depending on the chosen career track and certifications. It aims to enhance labor market involvement and educational attainment for at-risk youth, supported by a staff dedicated to fostering positive personal development.

3. STRIVE Fresh Start: Targeted at returning citizens aged 25 and older, this 11-week program offers workforce development services alongside legal support and other interventions to facilitate community reentry and reduce recidivism. It includes comprehensive supportive services and intensive case management, with individualized plans guiding participants through training, credentialing, and securing sustainable employment in high-demand sectors.

Since its inception in East Harlem in 1984, STRIVE has evolved from a tough-love job training boot camp into a holistic provider of wraparound services that address systemic challenges like generational poverty and wellness barriers. Today, STRIVE’s programs run in 14 cities nationwide, with a steadfast commitment to its roots in East Harlem. In 2024 STRIVE New York expanded its programming to a new site in Brooklyn, and recently celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of students in July.

“I am inspired by the students we support, who are determined to succeed despite the systemic barriers they face.“

Before Emmanuel Pacheco (Manny) became the Future Leaders Program Manager at STRIVE New York, he first enrolled at STRIVE as a returning citizen. Falling in love with the organization, he found his professional calling and has dedicated his life’s work to paying it forward by helping justice-impacted young adults born into systemic poverty prepare for the workforce.

Bridging Talent and Opportunity with Local Employers

A key component of STRIVE’s success is its collaboration with employer partners who are committed to creating opportunities for individuals facing systemic barriers to employment, job quality, professional development, and upward mobility. STRIVE works closely with employers such as Mount Sinai Health System, NewYork-Presbyterian, and Maimonides, to tailor training programs that align with the specific needs of the industries they serve. This strategic approach ensures that graduates are equipped with the relevant skills and certifications that employers seek, making them hire-ready from day one.

By focusing on in-demand roles in sectors like healthcare, construction, and logistics, STRIVE not only enhances the employability of its graduates but also addresses critical workforce gaps. Employers benefit from a pipeline of motivated, well-prepared candidates, while STRIVE’s graduates gain access to quality jobs with pathways for advancement. Beyond initial job placement, STRIVE remains committed to the long-term success of its graduates, offering continued support and engagement to foster lasting positive outcomes.