Work

Raising a family in New York City isn’t always easy. What can you do to improve your family’s quality of life and provide for their needs?

Working part time or full time with the goal of getting off public assistance can make a huge difference in your life and the lives of your children. You will almost always earn more money working than receiving public assistance. Earning more than you need means you can set aside money for your children’s education, major purchases such as a house or car, or unexpected events such as an illness or disaster.

Plus, working a regular job to support your family provides stability and a sense of pride that you can’t get from receiving public assistance.

Taking the next step of finding a job or getting the training and education you need can be scary, but you have the power to make the change and Opportunity NYC can help you get there. The work and training Rewards will help you achieve the independence, security, skills, and money that you deserve.

Work Reward

You can earn a $300 Reward for working the equivalent of an average of 30 hours per week for six weeks or more over two months. Learn more about earning the work Reward here.
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Education/Training Reward

Completing a training program or taking a class can earn you a big Reward. Learn more about what kinds of classes are available and the paperwork you need to send in to get paid.
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What About…
What about your benefits? Are there even jobs out there? Get answers to common questions from participants of Opportunity NYC about the work and training Rewards.

Education and Training FAQ>>

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Links to Get You Started

Not sure where to start? Start here!
Do you want to take an ESL or GED class? Look for links marked “ESL, GED.” These organizations offer classes in these areas, sometimes for free!

Finding a JobCLICK HERE >>

Workforce1 Career Centers>>
Whether you’re ready to work right now or you need some help getting started, a Workforce1 Career Center in your neighborhood can provide you with a variety of tools to get you going. Workforce1 can help you find a job or a training course. You’ll also have access to computers and office supplies to search for jobs and send out resumes.
ESL, GED

Find a Workforce1 Career Center Near You>>
Search for the Workforce1 One-Stop Career Center closest to you or call 311 and ask for “Workforce1.”

Neighborhood Development Area (NDA) Adult Employment Program>>
Adult Employment Programs across the city offer free workshops, classes, and one-on-one support to people who are looking for a job for the first time or who want to find a better job. ESL, GED offered at some locations.
Exploring a Career or IndustryCLICK HERE >>

NY JobZone>>
Explore new careers. Assess your skills. Define your career interests. Sign up for a free account to set up a portfolio and resumé of all your job qualifications including special skills, education, and past employment. You can search for job openings in the job database too.

The Beehive>>
Discover new career options and evaluate your own interests through quizzes and surveys to find a profession that fits your personality. The virtual Career Coach can help you set up a step-by-step career plan to get a job that works for you. Set up an account for free to access all the site has to offer.

Spanish: Link>>

CareerOneStop>>
Learn about the fastest-growing industries and most in-demand professions in the country in the “Explore Careers” section. Videos about a variety of professions offer an inside look at what it’s like to work in different industries. Plus there’s helpful information about writing resumes, education and training, and people and places near you where you can find job help.

Spanish:

Explorando Profesiones>>
Learn about the fastest-growing industries and most in-demand professions in the country. Videos about a variety of professions offer an inside look at what it’s like to work in different industries.

Workforce Connection>>
Curious about what a certain job is all about? Check out this helpful link with descriptions of dozens of jobs.
Training and Career Advancement ResourcesCLICK HERE >>

EarnMore Training and Education Information>>
Learn more to earn more! EarnMore provides information about vouchers and financial aid options that could be available for you.

Office of Adult and Continuing Education>>
Free day, evening, and Saturday courses are taught by certified teachers at locations across the city. Course topics include parenting, job skills, computer skills, health careers, and technical careers. Counselors at locations around the city can help you figure out what kind of training you need, where to get it, how to apply, and how to pay for it. Plus childcare is often provided! ESL, GED

EarnMore Career Advancement Program>>
Advance your career by working one-on-one with a career advancement coach specially trained to help working people get promoted or find a higher-paying job. Qualified participants have access to free education and training, transportation discounts, and other services. ESL, GED
Opportunity NYC-Approved Training & Education ProvidersCLICK HERE >>
These courses are approved for Opportunity NYC Work and Training Rewards.

New York City Training Guide>>
A helpful, easy-to-use training course guide that lets you search for courses by industry, job title, borough, zip code, and key words. The Department of Small Businesses sponsors the site. ESL, GED

Training Programs in New York City>>
High-quality training programs and learning centers across the city offer courses in hundreds of job areas. The New York Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (BPSS) has licensed the schools listed on this site. ESL, GED

These are just a few of the training options available:
- healthcare
- computers
- paralegal studies
- cooking and hospitality
- dry cleaning
- dog training
- fashion design
- hairstyling and haircutting
- automotive repair
- childcare
- bartending
- construction
- and many more!
Higher Education: Community Colleges, Colleges, and Universities>>
Search through a list of all the public and private training schools, community colleges, colleges, and universities in New York. Schools located in New York City include:
- CUNY
- SUNY
- Devry
- Globe Institute
- Katharine Gibbs
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- and many more!
Online Courses>>
All you need is internet access to train for a better career. You can work towards a certificate or degree at home with one of the many online courses offered through the regionally accredited community colleges, colleges, and universities in the Sloan Consortium.
Get the Job and Keep It! CLICK HERE >>

Job Hunting Tips>>
Tips and tricks on business etiquette to help you get hired. Quizzes help you identify weaknesses in your professional behavior and FAQs offer advice on how to write cover letters and thank-you notes.

Dress for Success Career Center>>
Do you have an interview, but nothing appropriate to wear? Dress for Success offers free, secondhand suits and professional work clothes for women who qualify. In addition to clothes, the program provides one-on-one job search help, resumé and cover-letter-writing lessons, interview preparation, and internet access.

Bottomless Closet>>
Bottomless Closet offers free secondhand work clothes, one-on-one job coaching, and workshops for women who qualify.

Expert Advice on Workplace Etiquette>>
Learn all the dos and don’ts of working in a professional office. Find advice on making a great first impression, answering phones professionally, dressing appropriately, and working well with colleagues.

Career and Job-Hunting Newsletter>>
Free job-hunting newsletter! Sign up for a biweekly email newsletter that offers informative career and job-hunting articles, links, and tips for job seekers.
Choosing the Right ChildcareCLICK HERE >>

If you have a school-age child, consider registering him or her for an afterschool program. Many afterschool programs are free and include activities such as homework help, art classes, field trips, and sports. They’re often open during holidays too. Learn more about afterschool programs at the education Rewards page here.

Day Care Centers in New York City>>
Here you can search for a day care center that has an official Department of Health permit. You can also find out if a center you’re interested in has any health code violations.

Smart Choices for Childcare>>
How can you tell if a day care center is safe enough for your child? What are all the different types of childcare? Find everything you need to know about choosing high-quality childcare in New York City.

Childcare Aware>>
Find advice on how to budget for childcare, how to locate high-quality day care, and how to prepare for disasters and emergencies. You can also access brochures and posters on literacy and early education.
Subsidized Childcare OptionsCLICK HERE >>

NYC Administration for Children’s Services>>
Your child might be eligible for free childcare or a Head Start program! Check out the NYC Administration for Children’s Services’ site to see if you qualify. You can use a searchable map to find high-quality childcare providers near you.

Access NYC>>
Enter your family’s information—such as number of children, income, living arrangements—to learn if you qualify for government services including subsidized childcare.

Work Support
Earn Benefits Community Resources>>
Balancing family life and a job isn’t always easy, but there are lots of resources out there to help you succeed. Find everything from free-clothing programs to counselors who can help you fix your credit.
Earn Tax Refunds!CLICK HERE >>

Tax Credit Campaign>>
Find a free or low-cost tax assistance site near you.

All You Need to Know About Taxes>>
Learn all about the different tax benefits working families can receive. You could be eligible to earn tax refunds in the thousands, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) worth up to $6,360. But the only way to receive the money is through declaring taxes. Filing your taxes doesn’t have to be a headache. A volunteer tax preparer located near you can help get you through the paperwork.

Free Tax Assistance Program with FoodChange>>
New Yorkers are eligible for free tax assistance if they earn $40,000 or less with dependent children. Self-employed people such as taxi drivers and childcare providers are eligible for tax credits and free tax preparation through FoodChange at 12 locations across the city.

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