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.

Road trip! The JobsFirst NYC team headed to Northeastern Pennsylvania for the launch of the NEPA Workforce Funder Collaborative. Over lunch, CEO and President Marjorie Parker emphasized the value of bringing JobsFirst NYC’s experience to partners in Northeastern Pennsylvania: “Using the lessons that we have learned in NYC, we have been invited to be part of other communities across the country. This was a first step. The work is not easy, but it is rewarding.”

We looked forward to supporting JobsFirst NEPA Executive Director Shanie Mohamed in moving the work forward locally. It was great connecting—see you there, David Charron, MBA!

🏙️ 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

Today’s State of the State address reinforces an undeniable truth: affordability, workforce development, and economic development are inseparable.

We welcome the Governor’s focus on families, child care as economic infrastructure, housing supply, and government efficiency. These priorities align with what JobsFirstNYC’s partners across education, workforce development, and industry have advanced for years: when systems are aligned to real labor market demand, New Yorkers can access work, advance in their careers, and build long-term stability.

As the State’s agenda moves from vision to budget, we will continue to champion investments that modernize school-to-career pathways, strengthen neighborhood-based workforce systems, and prepare young adults for a labor market shaped by AI.

Affordability is workforce development!

📌 Explore our recommendations to Mayor Mamdani focused on youth opportunity, workforce development, and education. https://lnkd.in/ede8U3MF

As we approach a new administration, JobsFirst NYCJobsFirstNYC is sharing our top recommendations to advance and improve systems for young people who are out of school and out of work in New York City.

The City has a unique opportunity to modernize economic and workforce development system, one that aligns with labor market and neighborhood needs and prepares young people for success in a rapidly changing economy.

The reality is that more than 106,000 young adults in the five boroughs are out of school and out of work, with many more underemployed in part-time or jobs that do not provide a pathway to economic mobility Here is the upside, these challenges are solvable. Together, we can strengthen neighborhoods that lack coherent systems of education, skills training, and employment.

✒️ JobsFirst Recommendations:
1. Strengthen and modernize pathways from school to work
2. Invest in neighborhoods so young adults can thrive where they live
3. Build next-generation work solutions for a changing economy
4. Prepare young adults to navigate and shape an AI-driven economy
5. Use youth-centered data and accountability to drive results

Please visit JobsFirstNYC.org to read the full memo https://jobsfirstnyc.org/latest/priority-actions-to-increase-economic-mobility-for-new-york-citys-young-adults/

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...

JobsFirstNYC creates and advances solutions that break down barriers and transform the systems supporting young adults and their communities in the pursuit of economic opportunities.

🫶 Together with our partners, we drive and incubate solutions, and scale what works.

💙 This 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, your gift helps young adults access education, training, and career opportunities—and ensures real, measurable impact in their communities.

Your Gift, Your Way: Donate now at https://jobsfirstnyc.org/give
or contribute to a legacy of innovation, empowerment and achievement with JobsFirstNYC's Endowment https://jobsfirstnyc.org/endowment

We are proud to share that Parker, CEO and President of JobsFirst NYC, has been named a 2025 Manhattan Power Women Honoree by Schneps Media.

This recognition highlights women whose leadership strengthens the communities where we live and work, and it reflects Marjorie’s unwavering commitment to expanding opportunity for young adults.

With more than 25 years of experience advancing adult and youth services initiatives and consulting for nonprofit organizations across New York City, her leadership has helped JobsFirstNYC deepen its impact and strengthen partnerships citywide.

Learn more about this year’s Power Women of Manhattan honorees https://www.schnepsmedia.com/events/powerwomenofmanhattan/

✨ Congratulations to Reeves, JobsFirst NYC Communications Intern, on leading an inspiring workshop at National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) Youth Days in D.C.!

Sirrea's session, 🎙️ From Participant to Collaborator: My Journey to Centering Youth Voice at JobsFirstNYC, powerfully captured what it means to move from being part of the conversation about young adults to shaping it. 💬🙌

Meanwhile, Team NY2, led by Christine James-McKenzie and Roman Jackson, spent the afternoon strategizing for tomorrow’s Capitol Hill visit, where our youth leaders will share real insights from their peers about the issues that matter most.

We are so proud of this generation of waymakers who are raising their voice and being heard. 💪🗣️

How can nonprofits grow stronger together? Yesterday morning, welcomed Children and Youth Services from Singapore to our office for a dynamic exchange on how both organizations tackle the challenges young people face across education, work, and community. Nonprofits grow stronger and make a greater impact when they openly share their experiences and innovative strategies.

Following their visit to our office, the SHINE team traveled to Staten Island to learn about Wins Coalition from partners at New York Center for Interpersonal Development and Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. While on their tour, they had an opportunity to observe how community-based partnerships are creating pathways for young adults to thrive.

SHINE supports children and youth through research-based Social Work and Educational Psychology programs, advancing evidence-informed approaches that align deeply with our mission to improve outcomes for young people in New York City.

Engaging with organizations like SHINE reinforces the power of collaboration and shared learning across contexts. We are grateful for their visit and inspired by their commitment to helping young people reach their full potential.