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The BronxWorks Offices
at 630 Jackson Avenue
The BronxWorks Newsletter
February 2017
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| The Workforce Development Department Staff. (See caption in article below) |
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 Workforce Development Department
Has Relocated
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Tyrone Jones is a volunteer at 630 Jackson Ave and participant in both the Jobs Plus and Strong Fathers, Stronger Families Program. |
The BronxWorks Workforce Development Department recently relocated to larger quarters at 630 Jackson Avenue. "The new space is great," stated Assistant Department Director Betty Ann Tamaisar. "Program participants truly feel at home here and get a better sense of the many services BronxWorks provides. My staff and I are thrilled to continue to serve the community and help our neighbors build their confidence and enhance their career paths."
The Workforce Development Department encompasses four programs including the flagship nationally acclaimed Jobs-Plus. Jobs-Plus targets residents of certain New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Developments and offers employment training, job search and placement, and other resources. Each Jobs-Plus Resident Member confers with a BronxWorks representative to chart out a plan best suited for his /her needs. Jobs-Plus members may also participate in financial counseling and budgeting classes. In addition the program offers Security Guard, Home Health Aide and OSHA/Construction Worker training and certification classes.
The Young Adult Internship Program (YAIP) strives to help opportunity youth ages 16-24 (those who have not finished high school and/or are not presently working) find a new path.
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| Young Adult Internship Program (YAIP) graduate poses with Shaquanna Cody-McGrew Case Manager |
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Paid internships are offered at a host of institutions such as Jacobi Hospital and the Intrepid Museum. Once the internship is completed, BronxWorks staff help the YAIP participant return to school or pursue employment opportunities.
Strong Fathers, Stronger Families (SFSF) provides fathers (or father figures) with job preparation, placement assistance, and career advancement assistance while helping the participants build stronger, more meaningful relationships with their children, co-parents, and partners. The Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS) is a job training, job placement and education program that provides financial incentives to HPD
Section 8 tenants.
The Workforce Development Department Staff includes: (Pictured above, from Left to right) Shenelle Kuhlor, Program Coordinator (Young Adult Internship Program), Tatanisia Lumley, Program Coordinator (Strong Fathers, Stronger Families Program), Karla Velasquez, Senior Case Manager (Family Self-Sufficiency Program), Glenn Bullock, Community Engagement Coordinator/Senior Financial Counselor (Jobs-Plus Program) Betty Ann Tamaisar, Assistant Department Director (Workforce Development Department), Marie Edwards, Program Director (Jobs-Plus Program)
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Other BronxWorks Programs That Call
630 Jackson Avenue Home
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Rapid Re-Housing / SEPS Offices at 630 Jackson Ave |
Minutes away from four other BronxWorks sites including the St. Mary's and Betances Cornerstones, the E. Roberts Moore Senior Center and The Brook supportive housing development, the offices at 630 Jackson Avenue have quickly become a neighborhood hub for BronxWorks programs and services. Aside from the Workforce Development, Department, a host of BronxWorks housing and health-related programs are located at the site. "BronxWorks truly believes in our Mott Haven and Melrose neighbors and we have a strong commitment to support them in as many ways as possible," said Executive Director Eileen Torres. Housing assistance is offered to families and individuals facing eviction or homelessness through various programs including Home Base, Rapid Re-Housing, SEPS, FEPS and City FEPS programs. While qualifying criteria varies, they all use a case management model where BronxWorks staff works with the participants to guide and support them through the process. Programs such as Home to Stay and Transform offer guidance, counseling and resources to households that are transitioning from shelter to independent living.
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| 630 Jackson Avenue |
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BronxWorks ongoing commitment to better health outcomes is also evident in the offices of 630 Jackson Avenue. The BronxWorks Community Health Home Program provides services to current BronxWorks clients who suffer from chronic health and mental health conditions. Clients may come from BronxWorks senior centers, homeless shelters, and our supportive housing programs. Bridges to Community Living is a referral based program that provides comprehensive care management to Adult Home residents transitioning from institutional living to community based supportive housing.
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Staff Profile
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| Evelyn Rodriguez (right) with one of her mentors and fellow BronxWorks staff member, Lorenzo Barcelo |
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Evelyn Rodriguez is the Program Director for the BronxWorks Homelessness Prevention Program at 630 Jackson Ave. In this role, Evelyn oversees the Family Eviction Program Subsidy (FEPS) which every year helps hundreds of families stay in their communities in affordable housing instead of entering the shelter system. "The number one struggle Bronx residents face today is the cost of housing. The cost of living in New York City is very high."
Born in El Barrio, Evelyn and her family moved to Patterson Houses in the South Bronx. One of ten children, Evelyn says her mother, Diadina, is the number one influence in her life, "My mother was a very strong woman, a fighter." After raising her own children, Evelyn decided to return to the workplace and a friend referred her to a job readiness program at BronxWorks (then known as the Citizens Advice Bureau). Evelyn credits the BronxWorks program staff for helping her to focus on her strengths and encouraging her to pursue an undergraduate degree at the College of New Rochelle. Upon completion of the program, Evelyn joined the ranks at BronxWorks as a Data Entry worker in 2000 and has worked her way up in a variety of programs throughout the agency. In 2012 Evelyn was promoted to Program Director. She also completed her Masters Degree in Social Work at Fordham University. "I am thankful to those who recognized my talents and helped me become the person I am today."
When asked what drew her to a career in social work, Evelyn replied "It's my passion. I see myself in the people that I work with. Growing up and raising a family in the South Bronx was not easy. It's a privilege for me to connect people to resources. They deserve to live in a good and healthy environment with their family."
Evelyn has an unrelenting drive to try to help anyone who comes through BronxWorks doors. "Sometimes you have to look through a different lens, beyond the stated program requirements and go the extra mile. At least I know for my satisfaction that I tried to help that client, no matter what" Evelyn stated. She also shares her experience with her co-workers and staff and encourages them to continue their education. When she is not at BronxWorks, Evelyn enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering with her church.
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Did You Know? Free Tax Prep Available at BronxWorks
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Our partners at the Food Bank for New York City are offering free tax prep at the Morris Innovative Senior Center, located at 80 E. 181st St. For details call (718) 933-5300.
The BronxWorks Burnside Avenue Walk-in Office, located at 2070 Grand Concourse is also offering tax assistance from Community Tax Aid. Call (718) 731-3114 for more info.
Clients of the BronxWorks Workforce Development Department also qualify for free tax assistance until April 13. Please call (718) 993-8880, ext. 221 to confirm your eligibility and make an appointment.
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2015 - 2016 Report to the Community is Now Available!
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BronxWorks is pleased to announce the availability of the
2015 - 2016 Report to the Community. With the support of our generous donors and dedication of our Board of Directors and staff, BronxWorks continues to live our mission to feed, shelter, teach and support our neighbors. Please
click here to read about our progress and recent accomplishments.
To request a written copy please contact the BronxWorks Development Office by mail at 60 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY 10453 or email at info@bronxworks.org.
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Photo Essay
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Saturday, February 11th, 2017
Members of #TeamBronxWorks at Orchard Beach for the 3rd Annual Dip Against Homelessness.
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BronxWorks Heights Senior Center's 2017 Valentine's Day Dance. Maria Rivera, Department Director, Senior Services (center) celebrates with the participants.
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Marshall Lewis addresses his fellow graduates at the February 2017
Young Adult Internship Program (YAIP) graduation. |
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| Carolina Espinosa (left), Nutrition Program Coordinator with participants from the BronxWorks National Diabetes Prevention Program. The group was visiting a local grocery store as part of the Community Food Tour program. |
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| Nineteen BronxWorks young adults recently took a tour of the Google offices in Manhattan. The students mingled with staff, learned about career opportunities and enjoyed lunch. |
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2017 Calendar of Events
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Coming Soon! BronxWorks CMCC Pool Grand Re-Opening and 90th Anniversary Breakfast
Stay tuned for more information about the Grand Re-Opening and ribbon cutting of the BronxWorks Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center Pool. The event will also provide an opportunity for all to reflect on the 90th Anniversary of this iconic building.
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1130 Grand Concourse before BronxWorks took over the Girl's Club |
If you have a memory you would like to share from 1130 Grand Concourse or if you are an alumni of the building from any of the past organizations, BronxWorks wants to hear from you!
Please contact Gianna Dell'Olio, BronxWorks Director of Advancement and Communications at
gdellolio@bronxworks.org or (646) 393-4007.
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Support Team BronxWorks For
T
he 2017 TD Five Boro Bike Tour
BronxWorks is once again a charity partner in the
TD Five Boro Bike Tour, America's largest cycling event. On
Sunday,
May 7th,
32,000 people will ride over 40 miles of car-free streets through all five boroughs in New York City.
Money raised will support BronxWorks children's programming at our shelters for homeless families.
I want to donate to support the team!
Yousef Graves is the Director of Social Services at the BronxWorks Jackson Ave Family Residence and will be riding for Team BronxWorks as a 2017 TD Five Boro Bike Tour volunteer.
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If you have any questions or would like more info about BronxWorks, please contact Tiana Rogers at
trogers@bronxworks.org or 646-393-4002.
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