Commonpoint Queens Workforce Programs Support Unemployment
Queens, NY — Commonpoint Queens’ Workforce Department is available and ready to support newly unemployed, chronically unemployed, and under-employed youth and adults. Commonpoint Queens offers specialized support services and resources for adults and youth. Adult programs include job placement assistance, vocational training, High School Equivalency and Pre-HSE classes, English for Speakers of Other Languages, work support services, digital literacy classes, and more. Young adult resources include Summer Youth Employment (SYEP), Ladders for Leaders (L4L), Opportunity Youth, and others.
In February 2020 the unemployment rate in Queens County, NY was 3%. April unemployment is estimated to be 13% (NY Times).
Numerous studies have shown that high rates of unemployment have a negative effect on the individual and society. Ramifications range from sluggish economic growth to increased rates of poverty, eviction, hunger, physical and mental illness, suicide, and crime. Employment for young people is particularly critical. According to the University of Chicago, Urban Labs, and The Quarterly Journal of Economics, summer jobs for teens reduce violence and the probability of incarceration. About 16.5% of youth in Commonpoint Queens’ catchment area are considered Opportunity Youth, young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither enrolled in school nor participating in the labor market.
Commonpoint Queens’ new innovative Upward New York Hub opening this summer in Elmhurst, Queens will greatly expand the workforce programs and resources available to the community. Their staff is preparing innovative options to provide safe, physically distanced programs for meaningful employment and job training opportunities.
Commonpoint Queens CEO, Danielle Ellman said, “We are ready to help our community begin to rebuild. Young and old need crisis assistance, help to find work, and counseling to process all that was lost. The opening of the Upward New York Hub will be a game-changer. It is a state-of-the-art resource offering the support services needed to help people looking to better their lives. Everyone at Commonpoint Queens is committed to providing the youth and adults of the community with the resources to help them lead successful lives.”
Current Adult Employment Services include
- Career Readiness and Counseling
- Job Search, Placement, and Retention Services
- Healthcare Certifications
- Freelance Training
- ESOL Classes, ABE/Pre-HSE/HSE, Digital Literacy Classes
- Work Supports Screening and Enrollment
- Digital Food Pantry
- Tax Preparation Services
New Services Offered with the opening of the Upward New York Hub will include:
- Culinary Arts Training including Food Handler’s Certification
- Catering Social Enterprise
- Interest-Free Loan Assistance
- Financial and Legal Counseling
- SUNY Attain Lab
Opportunity Youth programs include:
- Career Readiness Training
- Comprehensive Case Management
- Mental Health Counseling
- Pre-HSE and HSE Classes
- Occupational Training in Allied Health
- Paid Internships
- Job Placement
You can get more information about these programs by visiting www.commonpoint.org/employment
Commonpoint Queens will highlight their employment services for Tuesday, May 5th’s #GivingTuesdayNow. They will showcase their innovative programs and success stories on social media.
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More About Commonpoint Queens
The social services organization Commonpoint Queens helps individuals and families of diverse backgrounds find support, connections and opportunities during all stages of their lives. Guided by the Jewish values of service and justice for six decades, the agency has a range of programs at 52 sites across Queens, assisting 50,000 people each year. To learn more, go to www.commonpoint.org.
