Workforce and Economic Development
From 2013 through 2017, WHDC has made grant awards of $1.4 million to 20 nonprofit organizations to assist resident of MCD9 with employment and skills acquisition.
WHDC offers valuable and exciting summer employment programs to West Harlem seniors as well as youth, which includes the Arise! Summer Youth Employment and Education Program (SYEEP) and the Summer Senior Employment Program (SSEP). Participants have served in nonprofits, government agencies, church community groups, kitchens, food pantries and senior centers as computer technicians, social workers, public relations specialists, maintenance personnel, and in many other capacities.
In September 2016, WHDC collaborated with West Harlem Group Assistance to establish the West Harlem Skills Training Center, located at 500 West 134th Street to assist West Harlem residents with job placement as well as provide grants and funding to 501(c)(3) nonprofits for training and employment opportunities. In its first year, job placement rates have been 30% higher than the norm.
New York African Chorus Ensamble