Monday, March 8, 2010 at 10AM

WHAT: STRIVE PRESS CONFERENCE: U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel, a Harlem representative, is coming to STRIVE to celebrate $4.7 million in funding that has been awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor for the Pathways out of Poverty program.  The “STRIVE for Green” Program to be funded through the federal stimulus package will offer training in a variety of high-demand green sectors, including green construction, weatherization, environmental remediation and solar/photovoltaic installation for high poverty urban areas in six U.S. cities, including New York City communities of East and Central Harlem.  With this influx of funding, STRIVE is leading the way to ensure that these funds reach the most vulnerable communities and equip them with the right set of skills to access livable wage jobs in the emerging green economy.

WHO: STRIVE President Rob Carmona is honored to welcome Congressman Charles Rangel, for this press event.  In addition, STRIVE is honored to welcome U.S. Department of Labor, NYS Department of Labor Acting Commissioner Colleen Gardner, President & CEO of the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Francis J. Murray, Jr., President & CEO of Community Environmental Center, Richard Cherry, and President & CEO of Noble Strategy, William Parrish, Jr. Congressman Rangel will reinforce the fact that a true economic recovery can only be successful if it is inclusive and provide opportunities for populations that face critical barriers to employment.  “This award to STRIVE targets those struggling to get and retain a job, training them for careers that make our homes and neighborhoods cleaner, more energy efficient, and safer,” said Congressman Charles Rangel.

WHERE:        STRIVE New York

                   240 East 123^rd Street

                   Red Carpet Theater

                   New York, NY 10035

WHEN:           Monday, March 8, 2010 – 10AM-11AM

FORMAT:     10AM-10:45AM – Remarks from STRIVE President Rob Carmona, Congressman Rangel and other guest speakers

                        10:45AM-11AM – Q&A

WHY: STRIVE’s “Green Job Corps” provides an opportunity for inner city communities to participate in the rapidly growing green sector.  STRIVE’s clients overcome multiple barriers to employment to get and keep jobs, pay taxes, and benefit the community at large. Equipped with a complex skill set, our graduates are some of the first individuals who are ready and eager to become part of City’s well-trained Green workforce!

About STRIVE International

STRIVE’s mission is to transform the lives of at-risk populations by providing support and training that lead to livable wage employment and societal re-integration.  For nearly 25 years, East Harlem based STRIVE has been transforming the lives of the hardest to employ – the chronically unemployed, at-risk young adults, recovering addicts, the homeless and near homeless, public assistance recipients – and the working poor.  Over 40,000 people from New York, 21 domestic affiliates and six international affiliates have benefited from our belief that every individual has the power to change, to re-create themselves, or to begin anew.  The key to our success has been CORE – our attitudinal (soft skills) and job readiness training model that facilitates personal transformation, taps into the power of self-affirmation, changes lives – and connects our clients to the world of work.

For more information, visit: www.striveinternational.org. 

### 

Contact: Jill Poklemba (646) 335-0820; jpoklemba@striveinternational.org