JFK Redevelopment Booklet

The Office of Second Chance Employment (OSCE) is a job recruitment and referral program launched by the Port Authority of NY & NJ to help justice involved individuals residing in the communities surrounding the agency’s facilities get a second chance by connecting them with employment opportunities. Launched with the strong support and encouragement by the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council and managed through the Council for Airport Opportunity (CAO), the Port Authority’s primary workforce partner for its aviation facilities, the program focuses on job opportunities at John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty International Airports, along with other agency facilities. It has become a priority job recruitment program for the Port Authority. CAO reviews candidate resumes and qualifications to best match them with suitable job openings, providing support and assistance to job seekers throughout every step in the process from referral to placement and beyond. To date, more than 170 placements have been achieved, with both Airport tenants and direct agency roles, ranging from entry level to supervisory positions. The success of the program is based upon partnerships with local, community-based re-entry organizations, such as the Fortune Society. “At the Fortune Society, we have long recognized that gaining stable employment is one of the most critical steps toward breaking the cycle of recidivism,” said Ronald Day, Senior Vice President at The Fortune Society. “The barriers to employment for those with prior criminal legal system involvement can be formidable, but the Office of Second Chances initiative by the Port Authority and the Council for Airport Opportunity is a powerful countermeasure, offering tangible career opportunities that can help individuals build a new life and contribute positively to their communities. This program represents a beacon of hope and opportunity for individuals who have faced the significant challenges of reentering society after involvement in the criminal legal system. It’s about more than a second chance; it’s a pathway to lasting change.” As the OSCE Program continues to advance, a number of its placements have stood out for their exceptional skills and work ethic. Richard Hendricks and Veronica Nieves are two such employees. From Brooklyn, NY, Mr. Hendricks was referred to the Office of Second Chance Employment by the Fortune Society for a Traffic Attendant position with ABM. Following a successful interview, Mr. Hendricks secured the role in July 2023 and was subsequently promoted to a Traffic Attendant Supervisor position in early 2024. In this capacity, Mr. Hendricks assists JFK Airport customers with any parking-related concerns. He also oversees other Traffic Attendants, providing guidance and direction on how best to service customers navigating parking and the terminal frontages. “When given an opportunity to do good, grow, and help those in need, by any person or organization that is truly wishing you success and providing positive support, it opens up a positive and thriving future,” Mr. Hendricks said. Joseph Tristaino, ABM Operations Manager and Supervisor to Mr. Hendricks explains, “We all have a backstory that we learn and grow from. Good strong support, Second Chance provides for the people they represent and an employer like ABM helps in creating a positive future for all!” In addition, to his promotion earlier this year, Mr. Hendricks is also a recent recipient of the Port Authority’s We Soar Award for going above and beyond to provide an exceptional customer service experience to patrons of JFK Airport. A native of the Bronx, Ms. Nieves, was also referred to the OSCE by the Fortune Society for a direct role with the Port Authority. Following a successful interview, Ms. Nieves was offered a position as an Assistant Human Resources Representative within the agency in 2023, where she currently remains. In this role, Ms. Nieves responsibilities include reception, scheduling, timekeeping and other general office management duties. “The Office of Second Chance Employment provided me with the opportunity to interview with The Port Authority and has given me the chance to show and prove that my past decisions do not define me as a person,” Ms. Nieves said of her experience with the program. “The Port Authority is a great company and I feel blessed to be a part of such a great team with an exciting future.” As further testament to her work ethic, Nidia Abreu, Executive Business Manager and supervisor of Ms. Nieves states, “Veronica is truly exceling in her current position, and her work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Her dedication and willingness to learn go without saying. Veronica is a valuable asset to our team, and her efforts and contributions are greatly appreciated.” The Office of Second Chance Employment continues to identify and cultivate employer partnerships across Port Authority facilities, to expand the universe of job opportunities and increase the number of jobs available. For more information on the OSCE Program, contact Denisha Rapier, OSCE Program Manager with the Council for Airport Opportunity at [email protected].

By Alicia L. Hyndman and Dr. Claudia Schrader

With air travel projected to double over the next two decades, the construction of a new world-class airport at JFK is a welcome sight. But creating a great new airport to meet the needs of the future will take more than just concrete and steel – it will require a new generation of professionals trained for the rapidly evolving aviation industry of the 21st century. And where better to find and nurture that next generation of trained professionals than in JFK’s backyard right here in Southeast Queens, where over the next four years we will provide aviation-focused STEM education programs to more than 2,500 students through a collaboration between the Port Authority and York College at the City University of New York, with the support of the JFK Redevelopment terminal developers – New Terminal One, Delta Air Lines, JFKIAT, JFK Millennium Partners, and American Airlines. The Aviation and Aeronautics Academy at York College is one of many initiatives identified by the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council, chaired by Rep. Gregory Meeks and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. The Council was launched by the Port Authority in 2018 as an integral part of the $19 billion redevelopment of JFK to ensure that the communities that have hosted the airport for decades finally receive an equitable portion of the economic benefits the airport generates. To that end, paving the way to good-paying career opportunities for our community’s children is a top priority. Launched last fall, the academy is providing weekend programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics that are focused on aviation and aeronautics for students in grades 1 through 12. Nearly 300 students participated in both the fall and spring semesters. A summer program will include sessions five days a week, ranging from four to six weeks, depending on a student’s age. High school students who enroll in the summer program will receive a $1,200 stipend and earn college credits. Academy students will explore all the possibilities that a career in aviation offers with the college’s state-of-the-art flight simulator on campus and a varied curriculum that includes hands-on activities related to aviation, science, finance, economics, mathematics, cybersecurity, computer science, drones and robotics, varying by age group. The academy is opening a window of opportunity in a world many local youngsters may never have imagined possible for jobs in demand now and for others on the horizon. As air travel continues to grow, so does the demand for pilots, air traffic controllers, technicians, maintenance engineers, data analysts, drone pilots, cybersecurity experts and AI specialists, among many other professions. While the demand for skilled professionals in aviation and aerospace has never been stronger, communities of color, and women, represent a disproportionately small part of that workforce. For example, today, in the United States, 93 percent of professional pilots are white, and 92 percent are men. This imbalance is not only unjust, it’s also untenable for an industry in desperate need of aviation and airport professionals. The Federal Aviation Administration and industry stakeholders project they will need at least 2 million more employees in aviation and aerospace over the next 20 years. Affording students from neighborhoods surrounding JFK the chance to learn more about aviation and aerospace through STEM programs will help break down barriers to diversify these industries. It will also drive a more equitable share of opportunities to communities that have suffered the burden of having an airport on their doorsteps for more than 75 years. For thousands of youngsters, the academy will serve as the launchpad for the dreams and aspirations of a new and more diverse generation of students, leading to careers that can uplift entire communities.

Alicia L. Hyndman is a member of the New York State Assembly representing Southeast Queens. Dr. Claudia Schrader is the interim president of York College. They serve as co-chairs of the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council Education Committee.