Greene Developers, CUNY Internship to Employment (I2E) & Small Business Internship Program (SBIP) Partnership

Organization Name: Greene Developers

Project Title: Greene Developers, CUNY Internship to Employment (I2E) & Small Business Internship Program (SBIP) Partnership

Project Location: Citywide

Project Description:
Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one of NYC’s most urgent issues. It is life-changing for students under the age of 21 because they are impacted the most. Affordable housing has been a major concern throughout NYC for decades, especially for marginalized and disenfranchised communities. Educating students about these critical issues while teaching them how to monetize from them with paid internships has been a success story for Greene Developers, City University of New York (CUNY), and the Bronx-based Lehman College. A partnership was formed using the Internship to Employment (I2E through CUNY) & Small Business Internship Program (SBIP through Lehman College), to educate students in a major way. Interns learn from real estate developers on topics that include; sustainability, affordable housing, real estate development and sales, architecture, construction, and W/MBE business formation. Introducing interns to topics that are not often taught in these communities and teaching the importance of creating generational wealth is a priority for Greene Developers. The goal for the partnership is to provide the next generation with knowledge which will ultimately create jobs for the NYC community.

Community Impact:
Greene Developers, CUNY Internship to Employment & Small Business Internship Program:

• Supports research about sustainability and affordable housing in different neighborhoods throughout NYC, and helps cross-reference that information across data sources.

• Provides community organizers and policymakers with the information needed to prioritize outreach to students in marginalized and disenfranchised communities to determine where improvements are needed in our government policies before the wealth gap cycle has advanced too far.

• Brings together groups of organizers throughout NYC to educate the youth about an environmental crisis that will ultimately affect them, potentially, and local markets as a whole.

NYC has committed to reducing 80% of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, compared to 2005 levels. Developing affordable housing in NYC can be difficult because of the high costs of land, labor, materials, and legal professionals. NYC has set aside a variety of contracts for W/MBE’s however most do not know how to access them. Greene Developers is committed to making an impact by educating students on these topics, which will create jobs for the community.

Organization Description:
Greene Developers focuses on sustainability, energy efficiency & provides education through their 501c3 foundation. Programs are hosted throughout marginalized & disenfranchised communities that promote living sustainably. Kevin Shabazz grew up in low-income housing and was exposed to paint chipping off walls in apartment units without a central ventilation system (sick building syndrome). Kevin’s firsthand experience living in low-income housing buildings led to his passion for sustainability, affordable housing, & employing local college students.

Team Members:

• Greene Developers - Affordable Housing Real Estate Developer

• The City University of New York (CUNY) - Internship to Employment (I2E)

• Lehman College - Small Business Internship Program (SBIP)

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