CHRIS [NYC Mayor's Office]

In response to Hurricane Ida, the Corps was swiftly dispatched, removing over 72,000 bags of debris and directly assisting at over 160 homes, whose residents were unable to clear their damaged homes without help. My role at the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development includes management, recruitment, and coordination of the City Cleanup Corps, which represents thousands of workers across our city.

I helped source staff and resources, with support from the Mayor’s Office and interagency relationships. We obtained protective gear from New York City Emergency Management, who provided Tyvek vests, rubber gloves, and N95 masks. Within 24 hours of activation, our storm cleanup efforts were fully staffed and outfitted.

Neighbors saw us working and asked if we could help them too. Within a few days we were getting referrals from partner agencies and local electeds’ offices. We followed up by calling or visiting, doing what we could to help, even if it was just to move an appliance to their curbs.

Community members have shared how much it’s meant to them to have Corps members’ support as they recover from the storm. Being able to help uplift their spirits by doing the heavy lifting is what has meant so much to us.

Our team was allowed a glimpse into the lives of ordinary New Yorkers, rich lives usually hidden behind doors and windows, devastated by disaster. We could never fill the holes in their hearts, but at least we could help with a bit of the heavy lifting.