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The Bronx Gets Its Own Study Hall
On March 5th, Emerge Career held its first study hall in the Bronx at 111 Bruckner Boulevard in Mott Haven, hosted in partnership with the REM Center, Bronx HYPE, and the Family Empowerment Center. This wasn't a one-off. It was the start of a recurring weekly presence in the South Bronx that would continue throughout Q1.
Mott Haven is one of the neighborhoods in New York City where the need for real economic opportunity is most acute. Unemployment is high. Reentry services are stretched thin. And the gap between wanting to work and finding a job that pays a living wage is wide. Emerge's free CDL training program is built to close that gap.
What Happened
Participants worked through CLP exam prep modules on the Emerge Career platform, with coaches on hand to answer questions and walk through practice problems. For many attendees, this was their first exposure to the program — so the session also served as an introduction to how Emerge works, what's free, and what kind of careers are waiting on the other side.
The trucking industry needs more than 80,000 drivers — a shortage that's projected to double in five years. Companies are offering starting salaries between $75,000 and $125,000. For someone coming out of incarceration with limited job prospects, a CDL is one of the fastest paths to financial stability.
Building a Bronx Pipeline
The South Bronx became one of Emerge's most active neighborhoods this quarter, with four study halls between March and April. The partnership with Bronx HYPE and the Family Empowerment Center gave us a home base and a warm introduction to the community. Pizza was provided at every session.
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