In Long Island City, Queens, the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, headed by philanthropist and New York Mets owner Alex Cohen, has granted $116.2 million to LaGuardia Community College. This grant aims to establish the Cohen Career Collective, a cutting-edge workforce training center spanning 160,000 square feet. The facility’s objective is to enhance economic mobility for New Yorkers while supplying skilled labor for local businesses.
Kenneth Adams, President of LaGuardia Community College, expressed deep gratitude for the generous donation, emphasizing that the Cohen Career Collective will be a pioneering hub for career and technical training in the region. Alex Cohen, President of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, shared the vision behind the initiative, aiming to provide students with access to top-notch programs and facilities to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
The Cohen Career Collective is committed to offering quality, affordable workforce training, particularly to low-income New Yorkers, empowering them to secure stable employment and support their families. The programs will encompass various sectors vital to New York City’s economy, including Healthcare, Construction, Technology, Culinary & Hospitality, Green Jobs, and Film and Television.
The facility will feature specialized workshops, labs, classrooms, and comprehensive student support services such as career advising, job preparation, placement assistance, childcare, and financial literacy training. LaGuardia Community College, CUNY’s largest-ever benefactor, anticipates that the Cohen Career Collective will significantly bolster its capacity to prepare students for successful careers and upward mobility.
Beyond vocational training, the Cohen Career Collective will offer ESL classes for non-native English speakers and high-school equivalency courses. It will also host LaGuardia’s Summer Youth Employment Program, catering to a diverse range of students, including recent graduates, immigrants, veterans, and individuals seeking career transitions or advancement.
Construction of the facility is scheduled for completion by January 2029, with the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation having contributed over $1.2 billion to nonprofit organizations since its inception. LaGuardia Community College, a Hispanic-Serving Institution under CUNY, has been a beacon of accessible education since 1971, embodying the legacy of Fiorello H. LaGuardia’s advocacy for the underserved.
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