Help for Workers, Right in the South Bronx

Graduates of SoBro’s Customer Service Certificate Training

Bronx workers face many challenges in realizing their economic dreams. SoBro was founded five decades ago to help them overcome those obstacles and build stable careers for their families and communities.

“Right here in the core of South Bronx, people know they can come to SoBro for the help they need for better opportunities for themselves and their families,” says Jason Garcia, Assistant Vice President of Youth and Workforce Programs at SoBro.

SoBro is a one-stop shop where Bronx residents can get all the help they need in securing employment, from resume writing and job search coaching to funds for work appropriate clothes and transportation.

SoBro is a partner in the Consortium for Worker Education’s Jobs to Build On program, which trains and places workers into family-sustaining careers. At SoBro, 300-400 workers complete the program each year.

Graduates stay engaged through post-employment services that help them keep their jobs and stay employed, including after school programs, affordable housing, and entrepreneurship classes.
Those enrolled in the Jobs to Build On program can receive training and industry-recognized credentials in fields like customer service, security, and construction. SoBro utilizes its extensive relationships with local businesses to set up interviews and place workers into jobs.

However, it is the “soft skills” that SoBro teaches participants that often make the difference between a temporary job and a career.

“It’s about learning to effectively communicate with your supervisor, understanding the importance of arriving early, and knowing how to deescalate conflicts,” says Garcia.

When the COVID pandemic swept over the Bronx, SoBro had to learn new ways to continue serving their community and meet new needs. Many residents did not have access to the safe childcare they needed to keep or start working. Others lacked the technological ability or computer access to be able to work remotely.

“We had to pivot to online learning,” says Garcia, “and reach out by phone for wellness checks. We partnered with CWE to help our participants navigate COVID resources.”
Some Bronx residents came to the organization for the first time looking for help amid the pandemic.

When Lauren Patterson arrived at SoBro he was struggling to find work that would pay the bills and allow him to be there for his young son. As a veteran, he was only being offered jobs with erratic hours, making it hard for him to drop off or pick up his 8-year-old from school.

Patterson has taken several of the courses offered by SoBro. He has completed the Jobs to Build On customer service and security training classes, but also has learned first aid and how to respond to an overdose.

“I keep training to build skills and be more proficient for my community,” he says. He is now a resident assistant and greets and directs visitors entering the SoBro headquarters.

Diego Ramierez also came to SoBro during the pandemic and was looking for help getting his GED. Growing up he says he lacked the drive to complete high school or people around him to provide guidance. At SoBro, he found supportive instructors who were ready to answer any question and he knew he had access to many services to help him complete the program. Now he is a career coordinator and employment specialist at the organization, helping others advance in their careers as well.

“I see a lot of people who were in the same position that I was in,” he says. “They just need a little push. It’s a good feeling seeing them go through the training and be placed into a better job.”