For too long, New Yorkers — particularly those impacted by violence or the justice system — have faced barriers to employment that strip them of opportunity and hope. These challenges leave countless New Yorkers without a path forward, trapped in cycles of instability. The new Community Resources for Employment and Development (CRED NYC) program is changing that.
This program is grounded in the belief that a job is much more than a paycheck. It is a pathway to purpose, self-worth, and empowerment. For those excluded from opportunity, employment can be a life-changing bridge to breaking free from systemic barriers and creating a future they can be proud of.
CRED NYC is a $15 million investment designed to provide justice-involved New Yorkers, those at risk of community violence, and residents of neighborhoods most impacted by gun violence, with access to tools they need to succeed. It connects participants aged 18 to 40 to paid trainings and internships across high-growth fields like health care, construction, technology, culinary, and more.
Over the course of 24 weeks, participants will take part in paid hands-on training and internships tailored to meet the needs of employers in growing sectors, ensuring they are competitive in today’s job market. Participants will be paid $20 per hour for training and internships and be set up with job placement within a three-month follow-up period.
Beyond professional development, participants benefit from critical wraparound services such as mental health counseling, housing assistance, and health care — resources that address the foundational challenges many justice-involved individuals face. This program understands that we cannot just provide a job to get people back on their feet, we must provide the full safety net to make sure no one slips through.
As Mayor Adams always says, the best deterrent to crime and keeping communities safe is simple: a good-paying job. Employment reduces economic pressures that lead to risky behaviors, offering stability and alternatives to crime. By keeping people engaged in meaningful work, CRED NYC will strengthen communities and create safer neighborhoods.
CRED NYC’s emphasis on paid training and work experiences is particularly noteworthy. For too long, unpaid internships and training have excluded those who cannot afford to work for free, perpetuating cycles of inequality. By offering compensation at $20 an hour, CRED NYC removes this barrier and opens doors for participants who might otherwise be shut out of these opportunities.
The impact of CRED NYC will be significant, with up to 1,500 New Yorkers benefiting in the first two years of the program. But the ripple effects extend far beyond. Each job created represents stability for a family, hope for a neighborhood, and a step toward breaking cycles of poverty and violence. It’s not just about reducing unemployment, but creating lasting change in communities that have long been overlooked.
CRED NYC is part of our administration’s broader “Jobs Week,” a vision to make New York the best place in the world to raise a family. From investing in jobs of tomorrow, like tech and health care, to connecting disadvantaged communities to workforce training and full-time job opportunities, we’re getting our city back to work. Thanks to our collective efforts, we’ve broken the all-time jobs record in our city for the eighth time and see unemployment down in all demographics since the mayor entered the office.
The city also launched transformative projects across all five boroughs, including the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx, the Brooklyn Army Terminal and Brooklyn Marine Terminal in Brooklyn, SPARC Kips Bay in Manhattan, Willets Point in Queens, and the North Shore Action Plan on Staten Island. These projects will collectively create tens of thousands of jobs, generate more than $100 billion in long-term economic impact, and foster well-paying, 21st-century career opportunities.
Programs like CRED NYC are a reminder that the bend in the road is not the end of the road. Everyone deserves a chance to turn toward a better path. By investing in our city’s most vulnerable populations, we not only uplift individuals but strengthen the fabric of our entire community.
The mayor’s vision for a more inclusive and equitable New York is clear. By prioritizing workforce development, reducing barriers to employment, and addressing systemic inequities, the city is paving the way for a brighter future. CRED NYC is not just a program; it’s a promise — a promise that every New Yorker deserves the opportunity to build a stable, secure, and fulfilling life. It’s a promise that the city is delivering on, one job at a time.
Howard is the commissioner of the city Department of Youth and Community Development.