named programs · 11 · from sources
What they call their work
Astoria Worker Project
Worker center in Western Queens offering workforce development, mental health support, workers’ rights education, and co-op development for immigrant communities.
Cooperative Business Development Programs
Supports worker cooperatives through training in financial literacy, computer skills, and industry-specific skills like cleaning and childcare.
Facilitated Enrollment Scholarship Program
Statewide program extending child care support to new families, administered by CWE in partnership with the NY Union Child Care Coalition.
Health Care Training Initiative
Offers Allied Health Care training including Clinical Medical Assistant, EKG Technician, and Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor programs.
Jobs to Build On
Citywide job training and placement program offering skills training in construction, healthcare, transportation, and other sectors, funded by the NYC Council.
Pathways to Industrial & Construction Careers (PINCC)
Training and job placement initiative that prepares workers for union apprenticeships and jobs in industrial, transportation, and building trades sectors.
The Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Project
Pilot program helping working parents access child care subsidies and quality care for children up to 13 years old in NYC.
Union Initiatives
Provides incumbent worker training for 33 affiliated unions in healthcare, construction, hospitality, and civil service to support career advancement.
We Rise Nanny Training
Training for domestic workers in child development, workers’ rights, negotiation, and CPR, co-developed with Cornell University’s Worker Institute.
Worker Service Centers
Network of community-based centers providing workforce preparation, career training, and job placement services to NYC residents, especially in low-income communities.
Workers United Education Program
Offers free ESOL, GED preparation, and computer skills classes to adult learners in NYC’s five boroughs.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Workforce Readiness Training 2 activities
- Operation of citywide worker training centers and community networksOperates a network of worker training centers at community organizations and unions across New York City through the Jobs to Build On and Worker Service Centers programs, supported by a network of 50 community partners across all five boroughs to deliver workforce preparation services.
- Workforce training and job placement for dislocated and incumbent workersProvides education, training, and direct job placement services to approximately 34,000 workers annually in New York City, including dislocated and incumbent workers, through programs in construction, healthcare, transportation, culinary arts, and building maintenance. Places trained workers directly into union apprenticeships or jobs and offers career readiness support such as resume preparation, interview practice, and computer literacy.
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Volunteer and Professional Training Programs 1 activity
- American Sign Language training for public transit workersProvided American Sign Language training to approximately 450 MTA workers over six years through weekly, ten-week courses, and offers a Level 2 ASL course for graduates of the foundational program.
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Early Childhood Education Financial Assistance 1 activity
- Child care access and scholarship programs for working familiesProvides child care services and scholarships to reduce costs for working families, including through the Facilitated Enrollment Scholarship Program that extends child care support across New York State and a pilot program to help working parents access subsidies and quality care for children up to 13 years old based on income eligibility.
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Centralized Community Federation Support 1 activity
- Funding training for worker cooperativesFunds computer skills and finance training courses for worker cooperatives through support for the New York City Network of Worker Cooperatives.
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Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
- Funding workforce training programs for vulnerable populationsFunds training programs for vulnerable populations, including courses in English for Cleaning, Conflict Resolution, Emergency Preparedness, and Cleaning Procedures and Policies, in collaboration with employers and unions to prepare candidates for employment in construction, industrial, transportation, and building maintenance sectors.
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Union-Affiliated Trade Apprenticeship & Training 1 activity
- Incumbent worker training in partnership with unions and employersDelivers training programs for thousands of incumbent workers annually across 33–40 affiliated unions and labor/management cooperatives in sectors such as healthcare, construction, and transportation, supporting career advancement through skills development and credentialing in collaboration with industry employers and unions.
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Worker Rights Advocacy & Wage Protection 1 activity
- Support for worker cooperatives and domestic worker rights trainingFunds and supports training programs for worker cooperatives and domestic workers, including the We Rise Nanny Training program and a certification program in partnership with Cornell University to support nannies in exercising their rights and negotiating higher pay.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$28.64M
Contributions & grants$28.64M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$27.38M
Program expenses81%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$12.78M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$23.02M
Cash$5.31M
Investments$0
Liabilities$18.24M
Net assets$4.79M
Liquid reserves2.3 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +5.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOSEPH MCDERMOTT | PRESIDENT | 40 | $277K |
| FLORENCE WONG | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $269K |
| BERNADETTE KELLY | VICE PRESIDENT | 40 | $260K |
| GLENDA WILLIAMS | ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECT | 40 | $182K |
| DEBORA BUXTON | DEPUTY EXEC DIR EDU | 40 | $180K |
board members · 12
- AARON SHIFFMAN — VICE PRESIDENT
- EDGAR ROMNEY — CHAIRMAN
- GARY LABARBERA — VICE PRESIDENT
- JAMES CONIGLIARO — TREASURER
- JEREMY REISS — VICE PRESIDENT
- JULIA KELLY — VICE PRESIDENT
- KATHLEEN CULHANE — VICE PRESIDENT
- PATRICIA WHITE — VICE PRESIDENT
- SANDI VITO — VICE PRESIDENT
- STUART APPELBAUM — VICE PRESIDENT
- THOMAS GESUALDI — VICE PRESIDENT
- VINCENT ALVAREZ — VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 53
Who they work with
- 33 labor unions Partner — Provides education, training, child care, and job placement services to 33 labor unions and their respective locals.
- 50 community partners Partner — Operates a network of 50 community partners across all five boroughs of NYC to deliver workforce preparation services.
- AFSCME, DC37 Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- Asbestos Workers Local 12 Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies Partner — One of the affiliated institutions collaborating with CWE on worker training.
- CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies Partner — Staff from this institution provide commentary and analysis on CWE’s cooperative training initiatives.
- Career Center at Entertainment Community Fund Partner — One of the affiliated organizations receiving training services from CWE.
- Carroll Gardens Nanny Association Partner — Provides funding and support for the We Rise Nanny Training program.
- Cement Masons Local 780 Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- Center for Family Life Partner — Partner organization implementing cooperative business development programs with CWE funding and support.
- Communications Workers of America Local 1180 Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- Cornell University Worker Institute Partner — Co-developed the We Rise Nanny Training program with the Carroll Gardens Nanny Association.
- District Council 9 Painters Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- District Council of Carpenters Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- Elevator Contractor Local 1 Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- Hotel Trades Council, AFL-CIO Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- IBT, Local 210 Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- IBT, Local 237 Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- IUOE, Local 15 Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- IUOE, Local 30 Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- IUOE, Local 94 Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 764 Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 798 Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 15, IAM Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- Iron Workers Local 40/361 Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- Iron Workers Local 580 Partner — One of the affiliated unions receiving training services from CWE.
- NYC Central Labor Council Government — Workforce development arm of the NYC Central Labor Council
- NYC Central Labor Council Network — Workforce development arm of the NYC Central Labor Council AFL-CIO.
- NYC Central Labor Council Network — Workforce development arm of the NYC Central Labor Council.
- New York City Council Funder — Funded the Jobs to Build On program.
+ 23 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Career Advancement Through Industry-Specific Credentialingmethodology: career-advancement-through-credentialingBy providing industry-specific skills and credentialing, the organization enables union workers to advance in their careers because recognized qualifications increase access to higher-wage positions and promote upward mobility within unionized sectors.
- Industry-Partnered Workforce Trainingmethodology: industry-partnered workforce trainingBy co-developing training programs with employers and unions, the organization ensures alignment with labor market demands and secures job placement pathways, because direct employer engagement increases program relevance and accountability to real hiring needs.
- Labor Movement-Integrated Workforce Developmentmethodology: labor-movement-integrated workforce developmentBy grounding education, training, and support services in labor movement values, the organization builds worker power and collective efficacy, leading to improved individual, family, and community outcomes because shared identity and rights-based advocacy strengthen engagement and long-term economic mobility.
- Peer and Popular Education Modelmethodology: peer_and_popular_educationBy using peer-led and popular education methods, the organization increases engagement and empowerment among marginalized workers—such as nannies—because shared lived experience and participatory learning foster trust, critical consciousness, and movement-building.
- Worker Empowerment Through Rights and Financial Educationmethodology: worker-empowermentBy integrating rights education with financial and business training, the organization equips workers to advocate for themselves and navigate economic systems, because knowledge of labor rights and financial literacy increases agency and economic resilience.