NEWYORK: New York city Mayor Eric Adams continued “jobs week” by announcing the Community Resources for Employment and Development (CRED) initiative, a new $15 million workforce program for participants, ages 18-40, involved in the criminal justice system who are at risk of involvement in community violence or residing in communities with the highest rates of gun violence.
Overseen by the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and its network of providers, CRED will offer work readiness training, occupational training, and internships for in-demand, emerging sectors for up to 24 weeks, as well as job placement within a three-month follow-up period.
CRED offers holistic support to participants, providing access to mental health counseling, housing, academic support, and health care access.
Today’s announcement comes as the city, last week, celebrated breaking the all-time high jos record for the eight time and unemployment going down across all demographics, since the start of the Adams administration.
This week, the Adams administration is celebrating “Jobs Week,” highlighting the city’s efforts to ensure job opportunities reaches every borough, block, and neighborhood and advancing Mayor Adams’ 2025 state of the city commitment to make New York city the best, more affordable place to raise a family.
“The best deterrent to crime and keeping communities safe is simple: a good-paying job. CRED is that deterrent, investing in communities most impacted by gun violence and providing the holistic support needed to help justice-impacted New Yorkers enter the workforce,” said Mayor Adams.
“All New Yorkers — no matter their past — should be able to receive the training and resources they need to secure a job. Our ‘Jobs Week’ is highlighting that a job is more than just a way to earn a living — it provides purpose, a sense of pride, and the means to keep people on the right path.”
“DYCD is excited to introduce CRED to our robust workforce development programming and expand those opportunities to include New Yorkers who are exposed to community violence, have been justice-involved, or reside in Gun Violence Task Force priority precincts,” said DYCD Commissioner Keith Howard.
“Public safety and ensuring New York is the best place to raise a family are top priorities of Mayor Adams, and programs like CRED—offering a variety of paid trainings, internships, and opportunity for full time employment—are doing just that.”
CRED is expected to serve 1,500 participants over Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, and FY26. Participants will receive up to 24 weeks or 600 hours of paid training and internships at $20 per hour in high-demand career fields, including: industrial and infrastructure, service, media and entertainment, health care, technology and education/non-protift.
The Adams administration has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in creating good-paying, family-sustaining, public- and private-sector jobs for New Yorkers.
“Vocational training is one of the most powerful public safety tools in our arsenal, reducing recidivism by 43%, and the CRED initiative is harnessing the power of this upstream solution,” said State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar.
“This $15 million program will uplift 500 at-risk New Yorkers, providing them job training with wraparound support for their health, wellbeing, education, and housing. Under CRED, 500 more New Yorkers will be able to stand on their own two feet, put food on the table, and have a roof over their heads without turning to crime. It continues the administration’s signature work creating the most jobs in history and driving down crime, ensuring safety and economic empowerment for all New Yorkers.”
“The CRED initiative is a great way to steer people away from violence and crime and into productive employment,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.
“This initiative uses a holistic approach that understands that we cannot incarcerate our way out of all our problems. It will help create a workforce that is better prepared for the modern economy and that will help spur economic prosperity that will benefit our entire city.”
“Too often, justice-involved New Yorkers face barriers to opportunities that prevents them from rebuilding their lives, said Council Member Salaam.
“The CRED initiative is a crucial investment in breaking that cycle by providing the tools, training, and support necessary for meaningful career pathways. In Harlem and across this city, we know that public safety and economic stability go hand in hand. I applaud Mayor Adams and the Department of Youth and Community Development for prioritizing workforce development that uplifts our communities and ensures that every New Yorker has a chance to thrive.”
“Hundreds of our neighbors return each year to our communities after being incarcerated, and most want nothing more than reintegrating back into society, but lack of employment, housing and other services often stands in their way,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
“I know from personal experience growing up in a tough neighborhood, and from years of life-changing work by our Re-entry Bureau, that having these opportunities is essential for future success. So, I commend Mayor Adams for this investment, which will assist individuals, help reduce recidivism and enhance both fairness and public safety.
