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CIVIC HALL AND STARTED LAUNCH EDTECH HUB AT CIVIC HALL’S STATE-OF-THE-ART CENTER AT UNION SQUARE

CIVIC HALL AND STARTED LAUNCH EDTECH HUB AT CIVIC HALL’S STATE-OF-THE-ART CENTER AT UNION SQUARE

 

New York, NY – [March 25, 2024] –Civic Hall and StartEd have launched a new strategic partnership to launch The EdTech Hub, a dynamic space at Civic Hall at Union Square dedicated to fostering education-related entrepreneurialism and innovation.

 

StartEd will deliver programming year-round at Civic Hall to build the strongest EdTech network of opportunity in the nation, via Meetups, Think Tanks, and Shark Tanks that bring together diverse senior leadership to discuss and tackle key issues in the learning and workforce ecosystem. The partnership establishes Civic Hall as the physical home of a persistent education innovation community that attracts and develops early to mid-stage companies and not-for-profits.

 

Civic Hall will become the new home of StartEd’s EDTECH WEEK™ (www.edtechweek.com), the Global Education Innovation Festival in New York, back for its 10th year on October 8-10, 2024. StartEd’s EDTECH WEEK™ brings together every stakeholder in the education and workforce innovation community to learn from and meet with the best and brightest in the industry. The festival features Broadway performers, diverse thought leaders, and a unique combination of intimate experiences across the city designed to bring us even closer together than we had thought possible.

 

“Our new EdTech Hub will attract top talent and foster collaboration among industry leaders, startups, and organizations dedicated to shaping the future of education,” said Jim Malatras, Chief Strategy Officer & Senior VP for Education, The Fedcap Group—the parent organization of Civic Hall. “Together with the world’s leading EdTech network, StartEd, Civic Hall at Union Square will be the nexus for education and workforce innovation in New York.”

 

“Our work, deeply rooted in New York City’s vibrant tech ecosystem, has consistently provided a fertile ground for the necessary stakeholders to connect, collaborate, and scale,” said Ash Kaluarachch, CEO at StartEd and Producer of EDTECH WEEK. “For a decade, this nexus for entrepreneurs, educators, and investors focused on shaping the future of education and work. Our partnership with Civic Hall promises to further this legacy.”

 

StartEd’s program at Civic Hall kicks off in Q2 2024. Sign up for the newsletter to learn how to get started.

 

ABOUT CIVIC HALL

Civic Hall is a member of The Fedcap Group. Civic Hall’s mission is to support and enable best-in-class programs that help close the digital skills divide and plan for the needs of tomorrow’s workforce. Civic Hall will facilitate groundbreaking partnerships among high-impact organizations, civic and social innovators, workforce training partners, and New York’s employer ecosystem to work collectively to meet the educational and professional needs of all New Yorkers, especially those from communities too often left behind. For more information about membership opportunities, please visit civichall.org. 

 

ABOUT STARTED

StartEd attracts and develops early to mid-stage companies that solve the biggest problems in education and workforce learning, at any point in the journey of building an organization that makes an impact, to ensure equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. We offer access to community, capital, connections, and culture via subscriptions that align with a company’s stage and objective. Founded by industry-leading entrepreneurs, StartEd accelerates education innovators addressing Early Childhood, K-12, HigherEd, Workforce, and Adult Learning. We support for-profit and non-profit companies from anywhere in the world. For more information on StartEd, please visit started.com.

 

For media inquiries or more information, contact:

Josh Vlasto, for The Fedcap Group/Civic Hall (josh@joshvlasto.com)

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Happy Jack Entertainment to Broadcast Their Mental Health and Wellness Podcast from Civic Hall

Happy Jack Entertainment to Broadcast Their Mental Health and Wellness Podcast from Civic Hall

New York, NY (March 12, 2024) — Happy Jack Entertainment, a community of creatives for creatives that uses technology and music to provide mental health services, has joined Civic Hall. As members, Happy Jack Entertainment will be broadcasting their podcasts from Civic Hall, where they turn the volume up on mental health conversations. Their podcast “Therapy Sessions,” hosted by Z-100’s Maxwell, produces eye-opening interviews with celebrities, artists, and more as they break stigmas and foster a more welcoming, healthier world. Through their podcasts, they are creating a movement that’s making mental health a conversation for the entire community.

 

Happy Jack Entertainment is comprised of artists, speakers, entrepreneurs, and successful music industry veterans who use their voices and platforms to be a catalyst for change. Happy Jack Entertainment is destigmatizing the conversation around mental health using technology to encourage others to embrace mental health discussions across all communities, transcending demographics and creating an all-embracing and compassionate world.

 

“Civic Hall’s open, collaborative environment is the perfect home for our mission to normalize mental health discussions across all communities,” said David Nathan, co-founder of Happy Jack Entertainment. “We can’t wait to broadcast from this innovative hub and amplify voices transcending demographics through raw, honest storytelling.”

 

ABOUT CIVIC HALL

Civic Hall is a member of The Fedcap Group. Civic Hall’s mission is to support and enable best-in-class programs that help close the digital skills divide and plan for the needs of tomorrow’s workforce. Civic Hall will facilitate groundbreaking partnerships among high-impact tenants, civic and social innovators, workforce training partners, and NYC’s diverse employer ecosystem to work collectively to meet the educational and professional needs of all New Yorkers, especially those from communities too often left behind. For more information about membership opportunities, please visit civichall.org. 

 

ABOUT HAPPY JACK ENTERTAINMENT

Born from profound personal loss, Happy Jack Entertainment uses music, media, and candid storytelling to spark vital conversations around mental health. The company was created by David Nathan and Sam Koch, inspired by David’s late son Jack Nathan’s vision – to build a compassionate, judgement-free community for those struggling with mental illness and addiction. Jack’s brave vulnerability and advocacy through art, fashion and music laid the seeds for HJE’s powerful movement of openness, healing, and inclusion.

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FedcapCARES Achieves Milestone with Successful Completion of SOC 2 Type II Audit by Sensiba LLP

FedcapCARES Achieves Milestone with Successful Completion of SOC 2 Type II Audit by Sensiba LLP

New York, NY – The Fedcap Group is pleased to announce the successful completion of the System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 Type II audit conducted by Sensiba LLP for FedcapCARES—our nation leading automated cloud-hosted software application which serves as a hub for case management, client activity and tracks attendance, employment, and job retention. This milestone, alongside our ongoing ISO 27001 certification, first achieved three years ago and renewed annually, underscores our relentless commitment to the highest standards of information security, privacy, and our dedication to safeguarding our clients’ data.  

 

The SOC 2 Type II audit is a rigorous examination of controls relevant to the trust services criteria categories, including security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. It provides a comprehensive report on the design and effectiveness of specified controls over a specific period. Fedcap has taken this important step to ensure that our systems and processes not only meet but exceed internationally recognized best practices and guardrails.

 

“We created FedcapCARES to help organizations better perform case management through state-of- the-art technology. This successful completion of the SOC 2 Type II audit reflects our ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards of information security in our platform,” said Christine McMahon, President and CEO of The Fedcap Group. “This achievement by The Fedcap Group not only aligns with industry and regulatory expectations, but also ensures the highest level of data protection for our clients most sensitive data.”


It is anticipated that SOC 2 Type II compliance will become a standard requirement in most, if not all, future contracts and renewals within the nonprofit sector. By voluntarily undergoing this audit, The Fedcap Group is not only meeting regulatory expectations but is proactively ensuring that our clients’ data is protected with the utmost care. As the landscape of digital information security evolves, SOC 2 Type II compliance is increasingly becoming a benchmark for excellence and trustworthiness.

 

About The Fedcap Group

For nearly ninety years, The Fedcap Group has developed scalable, innovative, and potentially disruptive solutions to some of society’s most pressing needs. The Fedcap Group provides educational services to every age group, vocational training, and job attainment in high-growth industries, as well as support services such as behavioral health services—all targeted to helping people achieve long-term economic well-being. The Fedcap Group also invests its time and resources in broader system change—working in partnership with federal, state, and local government to improve the way services are designed, funded, and delivered.

 

Contact:

Jim Malatras, 212-727-4200, (JMalatras@fedcap.org)

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Fedcap UK and the Community Impact Policy Institute Launches the Compass Series Focused on International Strategies to Improve Health, Employability, and Economic Well-Being

Fedcap UK and the Community Impact Policy Institute Launches the Compass Series Focused on International Strategies to Improve Health, Employability, and Economic Well-Being

Compass Series Kicks Off with Leading Scottish Policymakers in Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland–Fedcap UK and the Community Impact Policy Institute are excited to announce the launch of a new policy series, Fedcap Compass, dedicated to addressing the intersection of health, employability, and economic well-being. The inaugural event will take place tomorrow, February 20, 2004, in Edinburgh, Scotland, marking the beginning of a series of roundtables aimed at addressing these critical issues.

 

Daniel Johnson, Member of the Scottish Parliament, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Business, and Fair Work, will lead the roundtable with employability, health, public policy, and economic experts as distinguished chairperson. Secretary Johnson’s extensive experience and insights into the Scotland’s economic landscape makes him the ideal leader to kick off this pivotal series focused on improving health, employability, and economic well-being.

 

“We’ve launched the Fedcap Compass series to bring together key stakeholders, policymakers, and experts to engage in meaningful conversations about improving the health and economic well-being of communities,” said Christine McMahon, President and CEO of The Fedcap Group. “Our goal is to identify innovative solutions and actionable strategies, both in Scotland and across the globe— particularly in other Fedcap programs in the United States and Canada— that can have a lasting impact on communities.”

 

The focus of this inaugural event aligns with The Fedcap Group’s overarching mission to create positive social change through its Community Impact Policy Institute.

 

“We encourage all stakeholders, community leaders, and individuals passionate about making a difference to join us at this and future thought leadership events,” said Susan Paterson, UK Operations Director for Fedcap.  “We hope to gain a broad cross-section of perspectives and to help shape a comprehensive policy strategy for governments and other institutions.”

 

For more information about tomorrow’s event contact, Neal Smith for Fedcap UK, (Neal.Smith@fedcap.org.uk).

 

About the Community Impact Policy Institute

The Community Impact Policy Institute is a thinktank of The Fedcap Group conducting leading research to provide solutions in breaking down barriers to economic well-being. The Institute, and its partners, have conducted groundbreaking analysis and solutions to many pressing needs including building wage and wealth for disadvantaged communities, effects of minimum wage increases, early childhood education, employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, socially responsible investing, immigration and its impact on the economy, and more. The Community Impact Policy Institute also provides technical assistance and training, products and hands on support to government agencies and community-based providers working to change their delivery of services and enhance the community integration of people with individuals with barriers to employment.

 

About Fedcap UK

Fedcap UK is a member of The Fedcap Group committed to excellence and an innovative approach to improving economic and social well-being. Fedcap UK delivers employability solutions, health services, and community projects in partnership with like-minded organizations and stakeholders. This includes the delivery of the UK Government’s Restart Scheme and the Scottish Government’s Fair Start Scotland program.

 

Media Contacts:

Neal Smith for Fedcap UK, (Neal.Smith@fedcap.org.uk)

Jim Malatras for the Community Impact Policy Institute, (JMalatras@fedcap.org)

 

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Hospitality Pathways Joins Civic Hall to Empower Marginalized Communities Through Innovation in the Retail Cannabis Industry

Hospitality Pathways Joins Civic Hall to Empower Marginalized Communities Through Innovation in the Retail Cannabis Industry

New York, NY (January 29, 2024) —Hospitality Pathways, a leading organization dedicated to providing in-demand job skills for members of marginalized communities, has joined Civic Hall. Hospitality Pathways offers training programs that lead to sustainable employment, livable wages, and future growth opportunities within the emerging retail cannabis industry.

 

As members, Hospitality Pathways will leverage Civic Hall’s ecosystem and incubator to drive innovation to strengthen its training and employment pathways for barriered communities. Hospitality Pathways goes beyond technical skills, offering extensive soft skills training in areas such as the culture of hospitality, professionalism, teamwork, prioritizing, time management, industry terminology, work ethic, and conflict resolution. Students are provided with a stipend, a weekly unlimited MetroCard, and daily meals. Hospitality Pathways collaborates with a robust network of employer partners to help connect graduates with jobs in the field.

 

“Our partnership with Hospitality Pathways demonstrates the power of Civic Hall—plugging in a  training provider into a diverse innovation and educational ecosystem broadens opportunities within emerging workforce sectors, with a specific focus on empowering historically marginalized communities,” said Seema Shah, Executive Director of Civic Hall.

 

“Our collaboration with Civic Hall marks a strategic alliance that enables us to harness the vast innovation ecosystem they offer, unlocking the full potential of social equity within our rapidly evolving industry,” said Beatrice Stein, Founder and Program Director of Hospitality Pathways. “This partnership transcends rhetoric; it’s a commitment to tangible impact. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality training complemented by wraparound support for our students. As members of Civic Hall, we are poised to elevate our program to new heights.”

 

ABOUT CIVIC HALL

Civic Hall is a member of The Fedcap Group. Civic Hall’s mission is to support and enable best-in-class programs that help close the digital skills divide and plan for the needs of tomorrow’s workforce. Civic Hall will facilitate groundbreaking partnerships among high-impact tenants, civic and social innovators, workforce training partners, and NYC’s diverse employer ecosystem to work collectively to meet the educational and professional needs of all New Yorkers, especially those from communities too often left behind. For more information about membership opportunities, please visit civichall.org. 

 

ABOUT HOSPITALITY PATHWAYS

Hospitality Pathways is a pioneering organization dedicated to empowering members of marginalized communities by providing in-demand job skills and opportunities within the expanding retail cannabis industry. Through comprehensive training programs, we aim to bridge the gap and create a pathway to sustainable employment, livable wages, and future growth. Visit Hospitality Pathways for more information.

 

For media inquiries or more information, contact:

Jim Malatras, The Fedcap Group/Civic Hall (Jmalatras@fedcap.org)

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LaGuardia Community College and Apex Technical School Partner to Build Pathways for Students in the Trades Seeking College Degrees

LaGuardia Community College and Apex Technical School Partner to Build Pathways for Students in the Trades Seeking College Degrees

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (January 25, 2024) — LaGuardia Community College/CUNY and Apex Technical School [apexschool.com] have officially entered into a partnership, marking the beginning of a collaborative effort to enhance educational opportunities for students pursuing trades and seeking college degrees. The agreement, signed by Kenneth Adams, President of LaGuardia Community College, and Steve Markowitz, President of Apex Technical School, establishes the Apex–LaGuardia Pathway—a first phase in a longer partnership between the two institutions.
Under this partnership, LaGuardia Community College will offer two college credits to students enrolled in Apex’s Home Digital Automation (focused on energy efficiency to meet climate goals) and Robotics (technology) programs. The collaboration aims to provide students with a seamless transition from technical training to pursuing college degrees, addressing the evolving demands of today’s job market.
Apex Technical School, known for its hands-on training in the trades since 1961, has been a key contributor to equipping New Yorkers with marketable skills for employment. Licensed by the New York State Education Department, Apex Technical School sees this partnership as an opportunity to facilitate easier access to college education for its students.
“Our partnership with Apex Technical School will go a long way in supporting students obtain their college degree after they graduate,” said LaGuardia Community College President Kenneth Adams. “This is another example of how LaGuardia serves the community and helps New Yorkers with socioeconomic mobility and finding sustainable jobs.”
“Apex students will now have easier access to a college education at one of the best colleges,” said Apex Technical School President Steven Markowitz. “This partnership is creating a pathway to college and help students follow their dreams of earning their degree in an area they are passionate.”
“These are the first of a number of pathways between LaGuardia and Apex that will count for college credit,” said Sunil Gupta, Vice President for Adult Continuing Education at LaGuardia. “We hope this pathway will encourage students to explore the opportunity to enroll at LaGuardia and earn their degree.”
LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens offers more than 50 degrees and certificates, and more than 65 continuing education programs to educate New Yorkers seeking new skills and careers. As an institution of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his advocacy of underserved populations. Since 1971, LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced the socioeconomic mobility of students while providing them with access to a high quality, affordable college education.
Apex Technical School [apexschool.com] is a member of The Fedcap Group [fedcapgroup.org]. This international nonprofit, headquartered in New York City, is dedicated to creating opportunities for people with barriers to economic well-being. The work of The Fedcap Group is structured through four major areas of practice: Education, Workforce Development, Occupational Health and Economic Development, each led by experts in the field and delivered through top-tier nonprofit agencies across our growing footprint.

Media Contacts:

Elizabeth Streich | office: (718) 482-6131; cell (347) 229-8674; estreich@lagcc.cuny.edu.
Manuel (Manny) L. Romero, Ed.D. | office: (718) 482-5061; cell: (480) 235-3366; mlromero@lagcc.cuny.edu.
Jim Malatras for Apex Technical School | 212-727-4200; JMalatras@fedcap.org.

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This Encore Fellow Is Helping A Nonprofit Serve 60,000 Children A Year

This Encore Fellow Is Helping
A Nonprofit Serve 60,000 Children A Year

Helping Mamas provides essential baby items and period products to women and children in need throughout the state of Georgia and in Knoxville, TN. The nonprofit was started in 2014 by Jamie Lackey, a social worker who saw moms use plastic grocery store bags as diapers and knew something needed to be done.
Helping Mamas has experienced exponential growth over the past eight years, particularly during the pandemic. The organization now serves nearly 60,000 children a year and distributes 2 million essential items through 150 partnerships with social services agencies.
Last year, Pegi Amend, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) retiree, joined Helping Mamas as an Encore Fellow, a seasoned professional who takes on a significant, paid assignment at a nonprofit for 6-12 months. When her fellowship ended, Amend accepted a full-time position as Helping Mamas’s director of finance and operations. Learn why, in the words of Jamie Lackey and Pegi Amend, below.

Jamie Lackey CEO

When the pandemic hit in 2020, we saw a 400 percent increase in need and that hasn’t slowed down one bit. I needed someone to help with finance and operations, because we basically blew up overnight.
We posted a job listing and I believe Pegi saw it and reached out to someone from Encore.org who contacted me, to see if I’d be interested in bringing her on as an Encore Fellow. She’d taken an early retirement from HPE and they were offering to cover the stipend. That struck me as a pretty incredible opportunity – to get access to someone with so much experience for six months before investing in a salaried position.
And it turned out being such an easy and natural fit. Within a week I was like, “Will you stay forever?”
I couldn’t even wrap my brain around the processes we needed, and she immediately knew how to organize everything. She had a lot of experience working with smaller companies that had been acquired, so all of that change management work allowed her to clearly see best practices and processes for our organization. That’s really what we were lacking – we had policies, but not practices and procedures. I had no idea how efficient we could be until she came along.
I was willing to do whatever needed to happen to get her to stay. In September, I started planning the budget for her position. I asked for her recommendations on the job description. And when her fellowship ended, we rolled her into a full-time position.
She’s helping us get a blueprint in place because we’re looking to expand into other locations. We’ve also been experimenting with a mobile program, where we have a van that we take out to communities, and people are able to drive through and get the items they need —like what food banks have been doing, but with baby supplies and period products.
The pandemic opened us up to partnering with a lot of schools and campuses, in addition to continuing to work with domestic violence shelters, kids and families in foster care, refugee resettlement organizations and hospitals — to name a few.
We certainly get a lot of thank yous and grateful comments from people who can put the money they would have spent on diapers toward rent and utilities. That feels good, to know we’re making a difference. This whole thing started out as a passion project and it’s turned into something much bigger.

Pegi Amend Director of Finance and Operations

At HPE I had a number of roles. I eventually moved into operations, but the whole time I was there I was very focused on helping the community and I ran HPE’s employee volunteer program for 15-20 years.
If life had been different, I would have been a social worker. But my mom encouraged me in another direction, so I went into engineering. I knew at some point, though, after the kids finished school and the house was paid off, I’d retire and be able to spend more time working in the nonprofit space.
About five years ago, I started eyeing what would be next and, I think through Google searches, I learned about the Encore Fellowship program. When I retired in 2020, I knew HPE sponsored a certain number of people in Encore Fellowships each year.
But I was still exploring nonprofit opportunities and having a field day volunteering — at The Red Cross, a couple of food pantries, Covid-19 vaccination sites — trying to figure out what I wanted to do.
When I saw the job at Helping Mamas I was really interested — their work seemed like such an essential piece of the poverty puzzle — but I worried that if I just sent my resume over they’d say no, seeing me as overqualified. So I reached out to someone at Encore.org to have them approach Helping Mamas, and see if they’d be interested in having HPE sponsor me as an Encore Fellow in the role. And, luckily, I was able to get one of the two sponsorship opportunities HPE offered in 2021.
At the beginning, a lot of my work was just straightening out the financials, reviewing their systems and helping to organize and document their processes. I had just done that at HPE so it was something I could easily pass along. I also had a lot of experience with software and hardware and knowing which programs could help. It was exciting to realize what a big impact I could have through making little changes here and there – things that come second nature to me, but that you don’t often have time to think about at a small organization.
At HPE, I was working with mostly older people.. My experience at Helping Mamas is much more age diverse. Every year, we have eight AmeriCorps VISTA members serving one-year terms and they skew pretty young. They’re energetic and willing to take on anything, and I feel like they’ve helped me understand my kids better. It’s been fun.
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This Encore Fellow Helped Embed Social Justice in Engineering

This Encore Fellow Helped Embed
Social Justice in Engineering

Jim Blakley joined an intergenerational team at Arizona State University working to make social and environmental justice practices the norm for engineers

After working in the tech industry for nearly 40 years, Jim Blakley knew he wanted to pursue an Encore Fellowship, working part-time for a nonprofit organization that aligned with his values. At 60, he was ready to retire and knew several colleagues who had enjoyed their Encore Fellowship experience. He submitted an application, expressing interest in a virtual opportunity so he could work from his home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Around the same time, Darshan Karwat, 37, heard a colleague at Arizona State University (ASU) mention Encore.org (now CoGenerate) and the next day saw Encore.org mentioned again in a book he was reading. Seeing it as a sign, the college professor and founder of Project Confluence, googled the organization and was excited by the Encore Fellowship program. He sent an email, saying he’d love to have an Encore Fellow collaborate with him on a new project.
Shortly after, this intergenerational pair was matched. Both spoke with CoGenerate’s Sarah Gibson below.
What is Project Confluence and what inspired you to start it?
Darshan: In talking with students and other practicing engineers, I was hearing a hunger to apply their skills in other ways – not just following orders or designing systems to ensure a profit, but also considering the social and environmental impacts of their work, and creating positive social and environmental value in the world. I saw them struggling to see themselves working in engineering, being dissatisfied, and dropping out of engineering altogether. It was frustrating to see so much talent leaving this field when they could be having such a positive impact.
Engineers build things — the cars we drive, the way power is generated, the buildings and infrastructure we live and work in, the weapons used in wars, artificial intelligence — and all of these things have impacts on the world, positive, negative, and unclear. I believe it is possible for engineers to create less damage and more beauty in the world. Project Confluence is one effort to embed environmental protection and social justice in engineering.
How does it work?
Jim: Eventually, we hope it will become a certification program like LEED, but to start we created a professional development program that sensitizes engineers to social and environmental justice and teaches them how to make decisions with that in mind. We developed a curriculum and delivered it over eight weeks to an architecture, engineering and consulting firm as a pilot. Next up is rolling it out to other firms in the industry.
In the early part of the fellowship, I helped Darshan develop a strategy and plan for Project Confluence. In the second half, I was one of the developers and instructors for the curriculum.
Darshan: Engineering promotes values. For example, we hear a lot about efficiency as a driving value in engineering. But there isn’t yet a standardized process for how to approach social and environmental justice, for how people and natural resources are impacted.
Can you give us an example of how decisions might change, using the lens of social and environmental justice?
Jim: Sure. We worked with a firm that was tasked with building a bypass in a busy area of South Carolina. They did an analysis and the client chose to go through a historic community that was predominantly African American. Their reasoning was that it would impact the fewest number of people, and the firm had no real way to factor in the impacts or influence of their client’s choice.
The community went into an uproar and the engineering firm had to go back and re-do some of the design as well as improve a local park as a way of mitigating the impact. This was all because there were no standards applied to help the engineers make decisions with social and environmental justice in mind. Engaging with the community in a meaningful way early and often could have changed their design decisions and saved a lot of money and heartache.
How was the Encore Fellowship experience?
Darshan: It was awesome. I gained a mentor and, in doing so much work together, Jim became my friend. He has a perspective that I generally am not exposed to. He has 40 years of experience and has all of this wisdom. He was at a very high level at a large tech company when he retired, and I assume you only get to that point by having demonstrated leadership, management and organizational talent. The way he thinks about what we’re doing is different from how I think about it, and I love that.
Jim: It was such a great collegial exercise, working with Darshan, some of his students and other professors and professionals with subject area expertise. There was a great deal of respect between everyone and it felt like we were on a shared mission. We each had to apply our creativity and skills to put this program together and deliver it. To get such a positive response from the firm we did the pilot with has been really rewarding.
The participants from Mead & Hunt and facilitators in the Project Confluence pilot program.
What kind of impact are you having?
Jim: The firm we did the pilot with is now getting new business from clients who value social and environmental justice. They’ve gone after new grants that support doing this specific type of work, and they’re experiencing cost savings by avoiding potential problems they may have encountered down the line. Their current employees report being more engaged and they’re having an easier time attracting new talent since young engineers really care about environmental impact. They’re demonstrating leadership in this space and are able to include their efforts in their ESG reporting. So far, there really hasn’t been a downside.
Darshan: Longer term, we want to create working examples of how principles of environmental and social justice can become part of how engineering firms do their business. To date, the connection between engineering and social and environmental justice has tended to engage individual engineers and communities rather than firms. There are regulatory changes coming where firms will have to think about this differently but that can all too easily become a checkbox exercise, like greenwashing. We’re trying to move beyond that – so this isn’t something you have to do, but something you want to do.
Any final thoughts for those considering becoming an Encore Fellow?
Jim: One of the main reasons I retired was to have more time to do things that I cared about and to get more involved in causes that were important to me. The Encore Fellowship was a great way to make the jump from a high-pressure work environment to a nonprofit. I was able to use what I’ve learned and not just be an extra set of hands. The match was ideal and my friendship with Darshan is a great added bonus.
LEED certification took 25 years to become a standard practice and this might take just as long. I probably won’t be around then, but hopefully what we’ve built will be the seed.
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First Tech Fund Joins Civic Hall to Expand Opportunities in NYC’s Innovation Ecosystem to Underserved Individuals

First Tech Fund Joins Civic Hall to Expand Opportunities in NYC’s Innovation Ecosystem to Underserved Individuals

Civichall-fg
NEW YORK, NY (January 5, 2024) —Civic Hall is partnering with First Tech Fund to enhance workforce training opportunities for low-income high school students in New York City, particularly within the innovation ecosystem. This collaboration will allow the First Tech Fund to provide additional workforce development programs and pathways for high school and college-aged students across New York City.
The First Tech Fund has been at the forefront providing underserved communities educational opportunities. It has empowered over 300 high school students through its year-long fellowship program, offering mentorship, college preparation, career readiness, and pathways to future opportunities since 2020. The recent launch of the Dual Impact Internship Program, piloted in 2023, successfully placed underrepresented college-aged students in paid eight-week internships. Scaling from 2 to 20 seats in 2024, the First Tech Fund will expand its impact, supported by Civic Hall’s network and resources to meet the growing needs of its 125+ college-aged alumni.

“We are excited that the First Tech Fund team has become members of Civic Hall to provide opportunities to underserved communities to join our collaborative network that will provide bright futures in New York City’s innovation ecosystem,” said Seema Shah, Executive Director at Civic Hall.  “Our partnership will support even more students across NYC to access diverse pathways to educational and career opportunities.”

“We’ve heard constantly from our student community about the difficulties they face once they arrive to college when navigating the complex internship process and we’ve seen how transformational it can be to help students land their first meaningful work experience after their freshman year. With more companies cutting staff and making reductions in DEI programs, it’s more important now than ever to invest in this programming that is creating real systems change,” said Josue De Paz, CEO and co-founder of First Tech Fund, “We’re excited for the numerous opportunities that Civic Hall’s hub of partners and resources will open for students.”

In Spring 2024, the First Tech Fund will open applications for its free fellowship program for New York City high school students. The program offers virtual workshops, mentorship, career exploration, and networking opportunities.

About Civic Hall

Civic Hall is New York City’s tech training, innovation, and entrepreneurial hub in the heart of Union Square. Civic Hall is a member of The Fedcap Group. Civic Hall’s mission is to support and enable best-in-class programs that help close the digital skills divide and plan for the needs of tomorrow’s workforce. Civic Hall will facilitate groundbreaking partnerships among high-impact tenants, civic and social innovators, workforce training partners, and NYC’s diverse employer ecosystem to work collectively to meet the educational and professional needs of all New Yorkers, especially those from communities too often left behind.  For more information about membership opportunities, please visit civichall.org.  

ABOUT FIRST TECH FUND

First Tech Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to empowering low-income high school students in identifying, navigating, and attaining academic and professional opportunities. First Tech Fund provides a supportive, adaptive ecosystem where students get access to free tech, free broadband, skills training, social capital, mentorship, and more. Follow First Tech Fund on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Contact

For media inquiries or more information, contact: Jim Malatras at JMalatras@fedcap.org.

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The Women’s Project Awarded Grant from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services to Provide Alternatives and Services to Women Facing Pre-Trial Detention and Incarceration

The Women’s Project Awarded Grant from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services to Provide Alternatives and Services to Women Facing Pre-Trial Detention and Incarceration

New York, NY (December 11, 2023) –The Women’s Project—a member of The Fedcap Group’s Wildcat Service Corporation—has been awarded $1.4 million by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to provide 60 women annually with an alternative to pretrial detention and incarceration, focusing on connecting women with housing, behavioral health treatment, education, job opportunities, and government benefits to put these individuals on a path to economic sustainability and out of the criminal justice system. The award is for 15-months with the potential for renewal for up to three years. 

 

“We know that ATI programs, such as this one, give justice-involved New Yorkers the life-changing opportunities and services they need to better their lives, which has a positive ripple effect on families and communities,” said DCJS Commissioner Rossana Rosado.  “We are proud to advance this nation-leading effort to increase public safety and help more women succeed.  We thank Governor Kathy Hochul for providing DCJS with unprecedented resources to promote these evidence-based approaches.” 

 

The Women’s Project was created in 2017 under Wildcat Services Corporation to meet a dramatic need in offering holistic solutions aimed at reducing the population of women and gender-nonconforming individuals in Rikers Island jail and New York State prisons. The dedicated and trained staff at The Women’s Project provides comprehensive care coordination services, court support, and wellness programming designed specifically for the unique needs of the community it serves.

 

“Because of the significant investment by New York State, the Women’s Project will be able to provide an innovative program to provide alternatives to incarceration for dozens of women, allowing economic and family stability,” said Kate McMahon, Senior Director of the Women’s Project. “We appreciate the support of Governor Kathy Hochul, DCJS Commissioner Rossana Rosado, and the state legislature.”

 

The Women’s Project is one of nine new programs awarded funding under a $6.3 million increase in funding through DCJS, which is currently administering roughly $24 million to support Alternatives to Incarceration.

 

“The merger with The Fedcap Group has enabled Wildcat’s The Women’s Project to broaden the size and scope of programs and services offered,” said Peter Samuels, former Wildcat Board chair and current member of The Fedcap Group Board. “With the significant investment by New York State, we will now be able to expand the program’s reach to more individuals as well as offer a wider range of programs, career tracks, and job opportunities.”

 

This substantial investment by New York State marks a pivotal moment for Wildcat Service Corporation and The Women’s Project, underscoring their commitment to transforming lives and communities impacted by the criminal legal system. 

 

Gene Waddy, current Wildcat Board chair, stated, “Wildcat’s history has laid the groundwork for an extraordinary future. As we continue to provide quality services, we anticipate substantial growth and an even greater impact in the coming years.”

 

For more information about Wildcat Service Corporation and The Women’s Project, please visit https://wildcatnyc.org/womensproject/.

 

Contact: 

For The Fedcap Group, Jim Malatras, 212-727-4200, JMalatras@fedcap.org.

 

About Wildcat Service Corporation

Wildcat Service Corporation, founded in 1972, is a trailblazing organization dedicated to providing employment and support services to individuals impacted by the criminal legal system. Through innovative programs like The Women’s Project, Wildcat aims to break barriers and create opportunities for those seeking to rebuild their lives. Wildcat Service Corporation a pioneering organization dedicated to empowering individuals impacted by the criminal legal system, is proud to announce a significant milestone in its efforts to support marginalized communities. 

 

About The Fedcap Group

For 87 years, The Fedcap Group has developed scalable, innovative, and disruptive solutions to some of society’s most pressing needs. Serving 340,000 people this past fiscal year, The Fedcap Group provides educational services to every age group, vocational training, and job attainment in high-growth industries, as well as support services such as behavioral health services—all targeted to helping people achieve long-term self-sufficiency. The Fedcap Group also invests its time and resources in broader system change—working in partnership with federal, state, and local government to improve the way services are designed, funded, and delivered.

 

About the Women’s Project 

The Women’s Project is a community whose collective work serves as an alternative to pre-trial detention and incarceration. We marry legal advocacy, education and service provision to transform the existing culture in our criminal courts and permanently decrease the number of women detained in our city jails and state prisons. We provide holistic, integrative, culturally competent, and person-centered services to assist women in returning to court and participating in their defense. We are a community of shared expertise and experience. We believe in the power of individual agency and collective engagement. Women come to our space to learn, to grow, and to gather support. We aim to create the space and stop the noise that often prevents women from finding their individual power—the power that will help them to live the lives they want and make their dreams real, no matter what challenges await.    

 

About DCJS

The Division of Criminal Justice Services provides critical support to all facets of the state’s criminal justice system, including, but not limited to: training law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals; overseeing a law enforcement accreditation program; ensuring Breathalyzer and speed enforcement equipment used by local law enforcement operate correctly; managing criminal justice grant funding; analyzing statewide crime and program data; providing research support; overseeing county probation departments and alternatives to incarceration programs; and coordinating youth justice policy. Follow DCJS on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

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