Over the past three years, the Brownfields BuildingWorks Pre-Apprenticeship Program has flourished in Glen Cove. With the support of Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi, program participants have been provided with the opportunity to complete their hands-on training.

BuildingWorks has collaborated with a variety of city departments, including parks and recreation, the department of public works, the youth bureau and the senior center. Most recently, seven of the program's pre-apprentices have been working under the supervision of master carpenter Richie Saturno to renovate the second floor of the Glen Cove Senior Center in order to create more programming space and offices. The crew began their work on April 21 and will be in Glen Cove for the next four weeks.

BuildingWorks and the Glen Cove Youth Bureau have been collaborating together for seven years to bring construction and environmental remediation skills to men and women ages 18 and up. The BuildingWorks trainees have played a key role in facilitating the completion of the youth bureau's new Youth Center, expected to open this summer. The city and the youth board extend their thanks to all of the students of this year's class - Glen Ashby, Jason Downer, Everett Hairston, Jason Jones, Kenneth Lincoln, Terrell Rozier, Juan Serrano and Lendell Solomon, as well as Richie Saturno, who has been supervising the Glen Cove group for the past three years.

Mayor Suozzi visited the senior center on Tuesday, April 29 to view firsthand how the program participants are transforming this former living space into a suitable environment for expansion of much-needed senior center programs.

Mayor Suozzi said, "Once again our senior population, that has given so much to us over the years, is receiving from those who are just beginning their careers through their participation in the Brownfields BuildingWorks Pre-Apprenticeship Program. It is wonderful that we are able to join the needs of these two groups in the greater effort to build necessary workforce skills in our youth, while simultaneously providing adequate accommodations for our senior services and also greatly reducing the overall cost to the city. It is a proven formula for success that helps the future of everyone involved."