One thing many environmental justice communities have in common is economic hardship, which often can be traced back to racist policies such as redlining. Polluters frequently take advantage of this, promising communities good jobs – with no mention of the environmental harms with which they will knowingly burden the workers and their families for generations to come. That is why good jobs is an essential ingredient in helping create healthy communities. Since relaunching our Worker Training program in 2012, WE ACT has provided free construction training to more than 1,000 unemployed or underemployed Northern Manhattan residents. This has included Spanish-language training as well as training specifically for young adults. And we have gone on to provide free training in green jobs such as solar installation.

 

 

 

Below are some video testimonials from people who went through this training. If you are interested in participating in our Green Institute Workforce Development program, contact jazz.hooks@weact.org for more information.

 

Oswaldo Morales Avila Testimonial (Video)
English Translation (PDF)

 

Iris Checo Testimonial (Video)
English Translation (PDF)

 

Darryl McClinton Testimonial (Video)