The HOPE Program
Bronx & Kings County
A Unique Workforce Development Center Trains New Yorkers for Green Careers and Ways to Overcome Systemic Barriers
With funding from NYSERDA, The HOPE Program helps create pathways to meaningful work and to a better future for its workforce trainees.
The HOPE Program, which was established 40 years ago, is a different kind of career support center. It takes a holistic approach with participants and empowers New Yorkers to build sustainable futures through comprehensive training, jobs, advancement, and lifelong career support.
Many of HOPE’s programs focus on opportunities in emerging careers and the green economy. They expose participants to environmental justice concerns and solutions, enabling participants to return to and improve their communities with new skills, certifications, and resources.
Location:
Bronx and Brooklyn
NYSERDA Program:
Workforce Development and Training
On-site solar training.
“HOPE Pay for Success” Heat Pump Training
With funding from NYSERDA, and in partnership with Solar One, the HOPE Program launched its HOPE Pay for Success Heat Pump Training program. The program was a 5-week, 150-hour technical skills training, which consisted of:
- 30-hour green construction
- 60-hour green building operations and maintenance (focused on HVAC and heat pumps)
- OSHA 30-hour safety
- DOB 10-hour site safety training
- Urban Green Council GPRO mechanical certification
- EPA 608 Certification
Through the program, 81 participants from historically disadvantaged or marginalized communities (including those who qualify as low-income or priority populations) were trained on in-demand careers in high-efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), as well as heat pumps.
Of the 81 participants who completed the training program, 53 were placed into paid internships, full-time jobs, or pursued advanced formal training.
Success Story: Putting My Life Back Together
“I was looking for a way to put my life back together. I was working on construction sites doing clean up, but wasn’t able to break through $20 an hour. I heard about HOPE and told my boss I was going to leave to further my career. HOPE helped me with everything. I went from being in a shelter to having my own apartment, my own vehicle, a pension, and benefits. There’s a lot of opportunity out there, and all you need is a path to follow. HOPE gave me that.”
– Rob, Union HVAC technician, Graduate of NYSERDA Training Provider, The Hope Program
Interested in Learning More?
To learn more about the programs offered by The HOPE Program 
, contact Jako Douglas-Borren, Interim Chief Program Officer, at [email protected] or (718) 260-6089.
Learn more about how NYSERDA can fund your own clean energy training program.
Visit NYSERDA’s Workforce Development and Training program page, or email [email protected].