Creating Jobs, Greening Buildings
New bill would lessen energy dependence on hostile foreign regimes
As I meet people during my travels across the state, New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds have the same thing on their minds: jobs. With unemployment in New York City still in double digits, and an estimated 15 percent of our state’s construction workers out of work, it is clear that we must continue to help working families weather the economic storm. Read more
Help Wanted, Part 1
I know a darling, super-competent, hard-working 2009 NYU honors graduate named Kate Berlant who’s in love with Manhattan, but confused about how to make a living. The turmoil of unemployment (above 10 percent in our area) hits new grads hard. Older applicants with more experience consistently trump even the best and brightest of them. Internships (read: unpaid employment) are pretty much how these youngsters get a toehold. Says Kate, “The religion of the internship promises the golden afterlife reward of your dream career. But what my friends and I are facing is the sobering reality of a hermetically sealed job market. It’s bleak.” Read more
PANTRY GETS AWARD, GRANT MONEY
With the city’s unemployment rate above 10 percent, food pantries are serving more people on less cash. But Yorkville Common Pantry, at 8 E. 109th St. between Fifth and Madison avenues, got good fiscal news for the holidays.
The Robin Hood Foundation honored the pantry with its annual “Heroes” award and a $50,000 grant.
Last year, the pantry, the largest single-site food provider, saw a 19 percent increase in meals served. The year before, meals served increased by 18 percent.
Stephen Grimaldi, the pantry’s executive director, expects the trend to continue this year. This makes the grant that much more crucial, as the primary source of funding—private donations—are down.
“It’s a double whammy to provide an increase in meals with less money,” Grimaldi said. “Fifty thousand dollars will clearly go to provide food to serve the increased number of people seeking our services.”
The Robin Hood Foundation also honored Halana Richardson, a 44-year-old mother of three, whose husband was murdered. Yorkville Common Pantry provided food services and programs for Richardson, a first-time visitor to a food pantry. She will soon start a teacher’s assistant program at City College.
