GrowNYC's YWD Internship equips 20 young adults, primarily from low-income households, with paid, hands-on experience and job readiness to compete in NYC's green economy. By offering an hourly wage, transportation reimbursement, and free program supplies, the program removes economic barriers to quality training. Over six weeks, each intern logs ~120 paid hours, earning over $2,000-building a pipeline of young talent in agricultural sustainability, urban farming, and supply chain infrastructure.
New York City is projected to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, creating 400,000 green jobs by 2040. This growth in urban agriculture and energy conservation is vital to the city's health and sustainability. However, despite these opportunities, the city faces significant youth unemployment. In 2024, the unemployment rate for New Yorkers aged 16--24 was 13.2%, exceeding other age groups and the national average. Black youth unemployment was even higher, at an alarming 23.8%.
GrowNYC's YWD Internship removes the economic barriers keeping low-income and Black youth out of green careers-replacing them with a direct, paid pathway in. Interns earn hourly wages, transportation reimbursement, and free supplies while logging 120 hands-on hours across urban farms, Greenmarkets, and food systems. YWD targets communities where Black youth unemployment hits 23.8%, ensuring all 20 interns per cohort leave with 120 paid hours, over $2,000 earned, and real green sector experience.
For YWD interns, the impact starts immediately-a paycheck, real skills, and a network in a growing sector. Long term, the hours in urban agriculture, food systems, and environmental operations prepares LMI youth for full-time green careers and a chance at upward mobility. As more young adults from underserved communities enter and advance in New York City's green economy, YWD's ripple effect grows-building the diverse, skilled workforce the city needs to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
