Goodwill Industries of Greater NY and Northern NJ, Inc. (Goodwill NYNJ) has continued to place people in employment during the Covid-19 pandemic. One of its 46 programs in the New York City metropolitan region, Jobs-Plus in The Bronx has placed more than 20 NYCHA residents in Covid-19 related positions like warehousing, maintenance, Healthcare and Security.

In early March, Mayra Martinez, a new mom who had to briefly live in a shelter, was excited to start a new job at Yankee stadium. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, her position was put on hold indefinitely. Thankfully, Jobs-Plus found housing for Mara, her husband and their baby.

Our Jobs-Plus team quickly searched for new opportunities. She found one at the frontlines of the pandemic, not only for Mayra, but for her new husband too. We placed Mayra’s husband at Fresh Direct. Mayra was placed as tester at a Military Base through the New York Health and Mental Hospital for COVID-19 Emergency Response Unit. Mayra is making much more than she ever made as a cashier before coming to Goodwill NYNJ’s Jobs-Plus!

Watch how Goodwill NYNJ helped Mayra secure housing for her family and jobs for Mayra and her husband in this News 12 Bronx segment.

Since 2013, Jobs Plus has provided free job training and employment support for residents of the Clason Point, Sack Wern and Monroe NYC NYCHA developments in The Bronx. Our staff helps with job applications, interview preparation and professional appearance. They also provide referrals for training and certification. The program has served more than 2,000 residents and has a placement rate of 80%.