When Hurricane Ida hit we were first deployed to sweep catch basins that became matted over during the storm; then we got the call to go to Queens, where we worked for a solid 18 days in a row; one Sunday we worked 11 hours clearing seven houses.

My previous work helped me get to the CCC: I was a Community Construction Liaison for the NYC Dept. of Design and Construction & NYC DEP, notifying communities about any shutdowns or detours necessary to complete a project. Somebody from DEP reached out to me about the Corps, and our crew went all over Staten Island, painting hydrants and stenciling basins. But Ida changed everything.

No one thinks about what happens if something like that comes through your house, and everybody keeps things in their basements. It was traumatic, people lost such prized possessions; we’d go in there and lift cardboard boxes that literally fell apart in our hands. I actually cried when we had to put out somebody’s wedding album – most of the guys on my crew are in their early 20s, it was a huge shock and a life lesson (for me too). I’m so proud of them being able to get the job done.

Because the residents were so happy to see us! They really were so nice to us! We did help a lot of elderly people, so even if they had wanted to do this on their own it wasn’t physically feasible without help. I definitely believe that they were comforted that we were able to come in there and do what they couldn’t, and it made me feel good to say I was able to help this person.

I was doing handiwork and painting walls for private contractors; then COVID happened and everything changed.

I went searching for jobs online and found NYC.GOV; that’s where I learned about the City Cleanup Corps. I very much wanted to work for the City – I know it’s not easy, but I knew that if I gave a little then the City would give me a lot.

I started working 3 months ago painting hydrants and cleaning, but now we are busy helping the people who lost so much in the hurricane. We are moving things for them, helping them to get everything out of the house that they need to. When people come to us and they say they appreciate so much what we’re doing right now, that makes me so happy. At the end of the day, you know, there’s a lot to do, but we’re given love back.

If have the opportunity to work for the City more, I’m right there.

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.