This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for the hope program, INC

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 awarded a $500,000 Brownfields Job Training Cooperative Agreement to The Hope Program, Inc., a non-profit organization, to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of the Bronx, New York in environmental careers. The program provides participants with skills and certifications needed to safely conduct remediation work at solid and hazardous waste-contaminated sites, as well as training in green remediation technologies, emergency planning, and building operations. Key outcomes include training and placing 110 individuals in environmental careers, delivering 12 classroom and practical training modules, and providing 100 individuals with OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER certifications. The program aims to help residents of impacted communities access environmental cleanup jobs, improve community involvement, and reduce hazardous exposures.

To recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of the bronx, new york in environmental careers with skills needed to safely conduct remediation work at solid and hazardous waste-contaminated sites, as well as appropriate training in green remediation technologies, emergency planning and building operations. Prior to achieving these certifications, participants learn essential soft skills, digital literacy, financial literacy, environmental literacy, work wellness, and green construction hard skills. Participants also achieve additional certifications such as building performance institute - air sealer, occupational safety and health administration-10, flagger, scaffolding, fireguard, and others.activities:this project will train graduates to earn skills and certifications necessary to enter into environmental careers. The proposed training includes hazwoper (intermediate certification, federal level), asbestos handler (intermediate-to-advanced certification, state level), and BMI multi-family building operator (intermediate-to-advanced certification, federal level).subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:hope is focused on supporting individuals with significant barriers to employment such as histories of court involvement, substance use disorder, homelessness, or low educational attainment. The anticipated deliverables for are: 110/100/60 individuals recruited, trained, certified, and placed in environmental careers in communities impacted by solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities. 12 of classroom style trainings, practical trainings, and curricula modules. 3 appropriate certifications in environmental sampling and site cleanup methods. 100 individuals that receive certifications in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 40-hour hazwoper training. Expected outcomes from this project include: -help residents of communities take advantage of jobs created by the assessment and cleanup of brownfields and the assessment, cleanup, and management of solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities while addressing environmental justice concerns. -provide training that leads to sustainable employment in the environmental field. -improve community involvement and stimulate the development of constructive partnerships. -reduce exposures to hazardous substances and other contaminants and improve the health of workers, occupants, and residents. -foster self-sufficiency and enhance the skills and availability of labor for environmental remediation in environmental justice and other communities impacted by environmental contamination. -enable residents to participate in the promotion of environmental health and occupational safety, both on the job and in their communities.