Meet the Graduates

Marc Diaz

Age 24, Soundview, Manhattan

Eco-Hub Site: Wagner Houses

What Green City Force means to me is an opportunity to do something for our community. I joined GCF because at the time, the pandemic disrupted the job market. I recently graduated from college and knew I needed some job experience. I was unemployed and a year prior I graduated from Nazareth College. 

 I would say I learned a lot during my time at GCF, from time management, adaptability and communication. I would say communication is the biggest thing I noticed that I needed to work on. Working with other young individuals communicating is very important because most of the time, they likely never did any type of the work we were requiring of them. So trying to break it down and make it simple where it can be done, I would say the cohort had its ups and downs but when it came down to crunch time, a lot of the members stepped up and did what was required of them. I would like to thank all the staff in GCF, EcoHub Fellows, and all the members. This was definitely a challenging year from Covid to vaccine mandate. 

Overall I would say no matter what the challenges were, this was a great learning experience and I would take the skills I learned from my time being an eco-hub fellow to the next opportunity that presents itself. 

Bradley Fernandez

Age 24, Astoria, Queens

Eco-Hub Site: Wagner Houses

Green City Force was an opportunity for me and a chance to steer my life in a different direction. Prior to Green City Force, I was in a really stagnant position where I wasn’t doing much besides living check to check. Before I was doing whatever kind of work I could find, this included a lot of entry level stuff that never really held a future or career in store for me. In my time with Green City Force, I learned how to communicate with others and the importance behind understanding my peers. I would like to thank Shontanyce for being a good mentor and giving me advice that helped me remain goal orientated and the staff who personally guided me through adversity.

Jason Lorenzo

Age 21, Forest, Bronx

Eco-Hub Site: Forest Houses

Before I joined GCF, I didn’t have any goals in mind and just graduated high school. So I joined GCF as an opportunity to better myself and have skills that can be an asset for future business or jobs. I learned many new skills as a member including how to farm and how to use certain tools for certain situations. Most importantly, I learned how to pass the lessons taught to me onto my members – everything from farm work to engaging residents in energy service. I learned at GCF how to find my passion and purpose for what I want to do in the future. I want to thank everyone in GCF for giving me this opportunity to better myself, and most importantly my team at Forest. Once again, thank you!

Kay Norris

Age 24, South Beach, Staten Island

Eco-Hub Site: Mariners Harbor

MARIA URENA

Age 23, McKinley, Bronx

Eco-Hub Site: Forest Houses

Green City Force has meant empowerment for me as a woman, mom and latina. Before coming to Green City Force, I had no idea how to go about my life. My baby was six months old. GCF gave me the tools and confidence to step into the world with no limits. I’m grateful for the people I met like the wonderful members who are now my friends. It's been such a beautiful journey. When I finished GCF as a member, I said I could never be an Eco-Hub Fellow and that was the first position I applied to because GCF is such a safe space to be yourself, it just felt right . You get to be with your people that understand you. I love that it is based on black and brown youth. Only we could understand each other and learn from each other.

Sasha Brisman

Age 20, Davidson, Brooklyn

Eco-Hub Site: Mariners Harbor Houses

Before Green City Force, I was only taking college classes since there was not much to do during the earlier stages of this pandemic. I found out about GCF through my mother and sister who both were familiar with the program, so I then decided to join GCF because I wanted more work experience and something to help with my tuition. Something I learned during my time with GCF is that things will not always be easy so always come prepared. I'd like to thank some of my fellow special forces, there were many difficult days in the field, but many of them helped make them better. I'd also like to thank the Service Coordinators and Giselle, the support they've given me was helpful both in and out of service.

Kadeem CoX

Age 20, Roosevelt, Brooklyn

Eco-Hub Site: Bay View Houses

Rosana Deleon

Age 25, Grant, Manhattan

Eco-Hub Site: Wagner Houses

Before becoming a GCF Corps Member, I assisted in teaching and actively volunteering at Morningside Park. I took up gardening as an outlet from my grandparents' passing and a distraction from the pandemic. I realized that working in nature was my passion and I decided to follow it. I then completed an Urban Farmer Apprenticeship at the Hattie Carthan Community Garden with Farmer Yonnette Fleming. While farming with Farmer Yon, I was able to deepen my understanding of food and social justice, ultimately inspiring me to become an environmental steward. GCF gave me the opportunity to continue my personal mission and give me a leg up in my career goals. Felicia provided a platform for me to lead and create a safe space for my fellow Corps Members. Creating GCF Wellness Warriors allowed me to truly believe in what I have to offer and the impact that it can have. Thank you Felicia for trusting me with the mission! And big thanks to Kate, who provided me with the emotional support I needed to finish my service term!

DonALD Folks

Age 22, Marlboro, Brooklyn

Eco-Hub Site: Wagner Houses

When I hear “GCF,” it means to make our dream work by participating as a team, as a unit, as a force. Throughout this entire program, I’ve realized I have more potential, more integrity to achieve my goals and to make a difference in my community. I chose to become a Corps Member with GCF to further improve my social skills. THe pandemic has stopped me from interacting with anyone and it made me feel foreign to those around me. I chose this organization to get back at social interaction and I was able to develop relationships with others. The most important thing I learned during my time here is what Justin always says: “Teamwork makes the dreamwork.” As a whole unit, we’ve progressed and I’m proud at how much integrity we’ve put in to get tasks done. I want to thank Elizabeth, Jawann, Felicia, Steve, Kate, Jelani, Dontik, Kay and Giselle for supporting me through tough times while in GCF. Reminiscing back these recent months, I've been through it all: I've been through death, I've been through family issues, having to bounce back while living under a temporary roof and vice versa. Thanks to them and good advice, I was able to repair relationships amongst family members and everything is all good. My final words of advice to all my co-workers and bosses is this: "Always stay in close contact with family and friends because tomorrow is not promised. You can be here today and be gone tomorrow. So make every moment count."

Donnell Folks

Age 22, Marlboro, Brooklyn

Eco-Hub Site: Wagner Houses

To me, Green City Force means togetherness. I became a Corps Member with GCF because I wanted to try something I had never done before and that’s exactly what I’ve received. Before GCF, I was working at Alliance for maintenance. I’ve learned many things from GCF. I learned how to grow crops, cultivate soil, and do energy audits. It was a rough road for me but I made the best of it. I would like to thank everyone from this organization including special forces for their help and support through the good and bad times.

Kaylah Glenn

Age 24, Tapscott, Brooklyn

Eco-Hub Site: Bay View Houses

I heard about Green City Force through an alumna, I also have family at Bayview Houses, where there’s an Eco Hub and I served. I started GCF just to have something to do but it became something much more.  I started while on probation and they accepted me with open arms. They helped me improve, support and serve my community. I now have started to set and achieve many goals such as starting a business, applying to schools, and obtaining another job. I would like to thank GCF staff for the tremendous impact they have had on my life and helping me come out of my shell. A special thanks to Giselle and Hakim!

Noshka Gonzalez

Age 25, Taft, Manhattan

Eco-Hub Site: Wagner Houses

Green City Force was an opportunity to elevate myself, serve my community, and help fight for food and social justice. I decided to become a Corps Member because I wanted to elevate my personal and professional development. I knew Green City Force would help me get that foot in the door to start my career and allow me to have opportunities for self-growth and networking. Before Green City Force, I was finishing school and working in the medical field. The most important thing I learned in my time with Green City Force was patience. I’ve dealt with a lot of challenges in the program that became barriers but I stayed focused on accomplishing my goals. I want to take a moment to thank those who saw my potential and leadership & gave me the tools to complete my service term to end strong (Jawann, Aram and Steve).

Jakeema James

Age 20, Forest, Bronx

Eco-Hub Site: Wagner Houses

Green City Force meant to me is to get a chance to excel in life. Life has its ups and downs but it's up to you to make a choice. Before Green City Force, I just got out of high school and plans for college went downhill. But I knew I wanted to do something to take up my time and keep me occupied. I got a job in the summer working at my old public school for summer youth! That's  how I found out  about Green City Force, by meeting  Taylor  who was one of the staff at the summer youth job. We were working together, she put me on to the program she joined and was telling me I should join, it would be really good for me.I choose to become a Corps Member with GCF because I get to help people and learn at the same time. How cool is that! To me the most important thing I learned during my time with GCF was to believe in yourself with anything that you do. You can do anything you want, when you put your mind to it! It's going to be scary, a lot of challenges but it all leads to growth. When it's all set and done you can say you did that! I would like to give a big shout out to special forces for making these 6 months something to remember. They had my back like no other. I would like to thank my god mothers and my family for being my go to! I would also like to give a big thanks to Jawann the Service Coordinator for Wagner, he really made it happen, thank you for all the advice you gave me. I thank every staff that I met though this whole program, thanks for the change to help me better myself as a person. Thank you all for every talk, laugh and most importantly believing in us.

Dominique Lewis

Age 22, Roosevelt, Brooklyn

Eco-Hub Site: Bay View Houses

Green City Force helped me gain a new perspective on life and helped me enhance my true character. I would like to thank everyone for helping me bring out my full potential.  I’ve met so many amazing people throughout my journey. I would like to thank my Service Coordinator, Hakim, for always setting a strong example and teaching me how to be a strong team leader. I would also like to thank Giselle for motivating me, as well as always being there and helping me out.

Tamera Mason

Age 24, Marcy, Brooklyn

Eco-Hub Site: Bay View Houses

Before I came to Green City Force I was working in Tjmaxx as a sales associate for three years. One day I saw a GCF poster on my building and I said it’s time to do something different. At first I was worried about what’s my next career goal but when I worked with GCF I met the most amazing people and they taught me alot about how to get through tough obstacles that I was dealing with. I appreciate all the things I learned and I can’t wait for what’s going to happen next in the future.

Kawon Veazy

Age 22, Sumner, Bronx

Eco-Hub Site: Howard Houses

I chose to become a Corps Member to expand my skill palette in different areas of life. I learned a lot about agriculture and construction from my Time here in GCF so I’d say my goal was successful. My biggest takeaway from this program was my little family I built in GCF Janise, Kay, Tamera, Noshka, Don, and Keiasia. We truly helped each other throughout this whole thing and am forever grateful for them! And Forever excited to know where their journey will go from here.

Troy Walls

Age 21, Ingersoll, Brooklyn

Eco-Hub Site: Howard Houses

I came to Green City Force to learn different stuff, before GCF I did janitorial work and I left that work  because I wanted to try something new. I wanted to learn to work better with teammates and through GCF I learned I could work with others to get the job done. I want to thank all the staff and Corps Members for guiding me the right way and trusting me everyday, had fun with you all!