Senator Addabbo Funds NYC Center For Employment Opportunities Community Cleanup Initiative
July 17, 2024
Senator Addabbo shakes hands with the CEO cleaning crew.
Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. today participated in a community cleanup initiative alongside the New York City Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO). The endeavor, made possible through $60,000 in funding from Senator Addabbo, aims to enhance local neighborhoods and business corridors.
The inaugural cleanup route commenced at 96th Street and Liberty Avenue, adjacent to the Walgreens at 9602 Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park.
CEO, a nonprofit social enterprise organization, specializes in providing comprehensive employment services to individuals recently released from incarceration. By targeting individuals under parole and probation supervision, CEO focuses on aiding those at high risk of recidivism, effectively reducing the likelihood of re-incarceration.
Senator Addabbo expressed his optimism in supporting NYC CEO's vital work, emphasizing the dual purpose of the initiative to both assist individuals transitioning from incarceration to secure gainful employment and foster community beautification efforts. "We are helping people get a second chance at life by providing them with good-paying jobs to help them become productive members of society,” Addabbo said.
CEO will foster the success and efficiency of the cleanup project by providing essential training, equipment, transportation, and comprehensive oversight. The organization's versatile crews can adapt to evolving community needs, offering a range of services including outdoor maintenance, landscaping, waste management, and graffiti removal services.
The targeted cleanup areas span from 96th Street and Liberty Avenue to Lefferts Boulevard and Liberty Avenue & 101st Street and Jamaica Avenue to Jamaica Avenue & Lefferts Boulevard. Each cleanup crew is comprised of four participants led by a dedicated Site Supervisor, demonstrating CEO's commitment to revitalizing and maintaining the community.
"It is my intent that if this clean up initiative proves to be successful, I will seek to expand it to other parts of my district where needed," Addabbo concluded.
