Are you or someone you know in need of assistance finding permanent employment? ACE can help!
Our 2-4 month vocational rehabilitation program, Project Comeback, provides individuals who have histories of homelessness, incarceration, addiction and other challenges with the skills, support services, and motivation they need to obtain and sustain full-time employment and economic independence.
Participants receive:
- Job-readiness training
- Supported work experience (providing maintenance services to New York City streets and parks)
- Industry-specific certifications, including OSHA 40-Hour Construction plus SST Flagger and Scaffolding; 10-Hour OSHA General Industry; Food Protection; Security; Custodial Maintenance; Forklift Operation, and more!
- Adult education and soft skills classes, including interview preparation.
Participants will also benefit from intensive case management and vocational support services, including life skills development, financial coaching and job search assistance. Program activities take place seven days a week year-round, with each participant attending four days weekly.
All services are provided free of charge to program participants.
The admission criteria for Project Comeback are as follows:
- Housing: Applicants must have a place to reside for at least the next three months (housing can be a treatment program, shelter, room, apartment, friend/family member or other arrangement).
- Employment: Applicants must be able to accept full-time, permanent (on-the-books) employment.
- Sobriety: Applicants must have at least 30 days of sobriety.
- Criminal History: Applicants with violent criminal history or no cessation in criminal history will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Medical: Applicants must be able to lift, stand and walk for an 8-hour shift; applicants with any medical diagnoses must be under the care of a medical professional.
- Behavioral Health History: Applicants must have six months of documented stability; applicants with a mental health diagnosis must be under the care of a mental health or medical professional.
- Residency: Applicants must plan to reside and work in the New York area for the next two years.
- Availability: Applicants must be available to participate in 4 days per week of morning and afternoon programming
- Additional Requirements: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have authorization to work in the United States. Applicants must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Our classes and general instruction are provided in English. Applicants should be able to communicate in English.
To learn more about Project Comeback, please contact Bridget Sarabia at bsarabia@acenewyork.org or call 212-274-0550, ext. 50. You may also download our referral package (below).