HARRIMAN – The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #363 has praised an innovative job training and placement partnership aimed at creating meaningful career pathways for local youth.
The City of Newburgh-based Blacc Vanilla Community Foundation initiated the program in 2020 to connect young people in and around Newburgh with experienced mentors and to position them for immediate employment opportunities.
The IBEW became an early partner, and the community foundation has already referred 17 young people to the union, with the intention of them becoming apprentices in the trades. The foundation has also referred 10 youths into diverse career pathways from manufacturing to law enforcement.
IBEW Business Manager and Financial Secretary Sam Fratto, applauded the program for “connecting young people who are willing to work – and work hard – with careers they can be proud of that offer excellent pay and benefits.”
Jerrod Lang, owner of Blacc Vanilla Café in the City of Newburgh and the founder of the community foundation, believes the program can become the model for impactful social enterprise in Orange County.
“This has the potential to impact health, wellness, environment, and social justice in communities like Newburgh that are too often overlooked. When there is little opportunity, there is little chance for progress,” he said.
Other partners and supporters of the program include the Family and Community Engagement Services, Inc. (FACES), the Orange County IDA, Orange County Sheriff-elect Paul Arteta, the SUNY New Paltz Office of Sustainability and Black Studies Department, Sustainable Hudson Valley, New Yorkers for Clean Power, and the Dutchess County’s Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Inclusion.
Bill Fioravanti, CEO of the IDA, made the initial introduction between BVCF and the IBEW. He sees the program as a win-win for young people seeking opportunity as well local companies seeking talent, noting “our local businesses, our unions, they are all looking to attract and retain talent. The BVCF program helps creates a pipeline of homegrown talent, while providing outstanding opportunities and resources for youth looking for careers they can build their lives upon.”
Research shows that a key success factor for young people in school and work is having at least one responsible adult mentor. FACES President Edward Lawson, adds “Every young person has the capacity to achieve greatness when their essence is allowed to flourish using an equitable education as the foundation and the freedom of expression as the vehicle.”
For more information on the Blacc Vanilla Community Foundation or on the program, please contact Jerrod Lang at (646) 421-1166 or jerrodlang@me.com.
