Overcoming Barriers To Employment

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Published on June 08, 2010, 1:16 pm
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On Wednesday, June 9 at 12:30 p.m. 19 trainees, will graduate from the Sustainable South Bronx’s BEST 4 Buildings (B4B) at the organization’s headquarters at 1231 Lafayette Avenue (between Tiffany & Barretto Streets in the old Bank Note Building) in Hunts Point.

The 14 week course trains participants to retrofit buildings so that they are more energy efficient. Many of the trainees have faced many barriers to unemployment.

Participants attended classes and received training in job readiness/life skills, mini energy audits, Introduction to HVAC, Solar Thermal training, Introduction to Building Science, Retrofit Installation Training, and Lead Awareness. Graduates receive certifications in OSHA 10-Hour Training, Hazardous Waste Operation and Emergency Response (HAZPOWER) Training, Asbestos Handling and Lead Awareness, and Sherwin Williams Painting.
Among the graduates are:

Robert Worley -Prior to starting at BEST he was a rock climbing instructor. He also attends college and is working towards his degree in environmental management.

Aldo Alvarez – Formerly worked as a dispatcher/welding manager for a locksmith company. After graduation he wants to take what he has learned overseas and spread the word about the green movement. He wants to be a green guru.

Joel Ortiz – Worked as a porter at a hospital before he started BEST 4 Buildings Training. His goal is for a productive and stable career that will enable him to buy his own home and start a family.

Lateee Middleton – Before entering the Best 4 Buildings program she was a security guard and owned her own her barbershop/salon. Her long term goal is to earn her college degree and reopen the business.

Sustainable South Bronx (SSBX.org) is a non-profit community based organization that takes innovative, solutions driven approach to the economic and environmental issues that affect the residents of urban areas. Sustainable South Bronx’s initiatives include advocacy, job training, education and the South Bronx Greenway.

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