Greg Morris sits down with Scott French, Administrator of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA), for a conversation about protecting New York City’s safety net at a critical moment.

French shares his journey from nonprofit leadership to overseeing an agency that serves more than three million New Yorkers each year. The discussion focuses on the return of expanded federal SNAP work requirements, what they mean for hundreds of thousands of city residents, and how HRA is working with community-based organizations to minimize confusion, prevent benefit loss, and keep families connected to essential wraparound supports.

They also tackle common misconceptions about public benefits, the realities of affordability and generational poverty, and recent efforts to better align housing subsidies, homelessness prevention, and workforce systems to support long-term stability.

Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on public service, accountability, and keeping the safety net strong for New Yorkers who need it most.

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition

Topics: HRA leadership and public service; SNAP; work requirements; protecting food assistance access; affordability and generational poverty; workforce development and benefits systems; housing subsidies and homelessness prevention; strengthening NYC’s safety net.

This week on the NYC Workforce Drop, Greg Morris welcomes New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin for a dynamic conversation on affordability, workforce development, and the city’s economic future.

Speaker Menin outlines her vision for a more proactive City Council — from advancing bold affordable housing strategies using public assets like libraries and vacant land, to reforming a broken procurement system that wastes taxpayer dollars. She shares why cracking down on long-term no-bid contracts could free up billions for priorities like universal childcare, a longtime focus of her leadership.

The conversation also spotlights the Council’s first-ever Committee on Workforce Development and why connecting workforce strategy to economic growth is essential as New York competes with other cities for jobs and talent.

Speaker Menin reflects on her work protecting billions in federal funding through the 2020 Census, expanding access to banking through the Municipal ID program, and creating a Committee to Combat Hate during a historic moment for the city’s leadership.

Tune in for a conversation on accountability, expanding opportunity, and building a more affordable, inclusive, and economically competitive New York City.

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition

Topics: proactive City Council leadership and governing vision; affordable housing development using public libraries and city-owned land; tackling NYC’s affordability crisis; procurement reform and eliminating long-term no-bid contracts; fiscal accountability and smarter city spending; universal childcare as economic policy; after-school access and working family support; childcare workforce and facility expansion; launching the City Council’s first Committee on Workforce Development; connecting workforce strategy to economic growth; job creation trends and interstate economic competition; attracting businesses and building tech corridors; protecting federal funding through the 2020 Census; establishing a permanent NYC Office of the Census; Municipal ID and financial empowerment for unbanked New Yorkers; public libraries as trusted civic infrastructure; combating antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate; interfaith leadership in a historic moment for New York City; long-term leadership and public service resilience.

In this NYC Workforce Drop mini episode, Greg Morris talks with Jeff Brault, Vice President of Global Public Affairs at Hornblower Group, about how NYC Ferry invests in training, retention, and long-term career growth for its workforce.

Jeff breaks down what deckhand training actually includes, from customer service and ADA accessibility to safety, emergency response, and hands-on learning on active ferry routes. He also explains how ongoing professional development, internal training programs, and mentorship support career mobility, including pathways to captain licensure and advanced maritime roles.

The conversation highlights the employer investment required to make workforce development work—and why sustainable training pathways depend on long-term commitment, public–private partnership, and a focus on retention rather than churn.

Listen in for a look at how NYC Ferry is building durable maritime careers on New York City’s waterfront.

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition

Welcome aboard the NYC Workforce Drop as NYC Employment and Training Coalition CEO Greg Morris sits down with Jeff Brault, Vice President of Global Public Affairs at Hornblower Group, for a conversation about the “blue highway” and why water transit is more than just a scenic commute.

Recorded at Manhattan Neighborhood Network, Greg and Jeff dig into what makes NYC Ferry feel like the “People’s Yacht,” from skyline views (even in freezing weather) to a strong rider culture. They break down the basics—routes and stops, fares and discount programs, and why the NYC Ferry app can be a game-changer for planning trips.

But the heart of the episode is workforce: Jeff shares how NYC Ferry is helping open doors to maritime careers for New Yorkers who’ve never imagined themselves working on the water. Hear how many captains started as entry-level deckhands, what it takes to move up, and why access to waterfront jobs matters in a city with hundreds of miles of shoreline.

Plus: the story behind NYC Ferry’s 50 millionth rider, how ferries show up in moments of crisis, and a look ahead to NYC Ferry’s February 10 career fair at Brooklyn Borough Hall as hiring ramps up for the busy season.

Whether you ride daily or have never stepped on board, this episode is a deep dive into transit, opportunity, and the future of NYC’s waterfront.

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition

Topics: the “blue highway” and the future of NYC’s waterways; public transportation as workforce and economic development; NYC Ferry routes, fares, and accessibility; reduced-fare programs and transit equity; ferry culture and the “People’s Yacht”; maritime careers and entry-level pathways; deckhand-to-captain career mobility; workforce development on the waterfront; community outreach and hiring across all five boroughs; transit deserts and neighborhood connectivity; ferries in times of crisis and recovery; climate resilience and sustainable transportation; building inclusive public transit systems run by New Yorkers, for New Yorkers.

This episode explores what it means to build a “for-community-benefit” organization for older adults, and what it takes to lead through the intersecting realities of aging, workforce shortages, and persistent ageism in New York City.

Greg is joined by Dr. Jeffrey Farber, President and CEO of The New Jewish Home, and his journey from geriatric medicine and academic training to executive leadership. Together, Greg and Dr. Farber trace the organization’s legacy of innovation, from its 19th-century origins to its modern-day role caring for thousands of older New Yorkers each year, while unpacking the deeper cultural forces that shape how society values (or devalues) aging and caregiving.

A major throughline is workforce: the urgent need for more caregivers and the systems required to recruit, train, and retain them. Dr. Farber breaks down how SkillSpring evolved from the original Geriatrics Career Development (GCD) program into a fast-growing workforce pipeline, supporting high school students and young adults alike with training, mentorship, wraparound supports, and clear career ladders into roles like CNA, LPN, and beyond. The episode also digs into what “real” workforce development looks like: removing barriers, building social capital, and creating a workplace culture people actually want to stay in.

The conversation closes with a reflection on leadership during COVID-19, and what it meant to steward an older adult care system in the heart of the crisis, what the organization learned, and what moments of resilience and purpose emerged even in the hardest days.

This episode is a deep dive into aging services leadership: the weight of responsibility, the power of intergenerational connection, and the urgency of building a workforce—and a culture—that honors older adults with the dignity they deserve.

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)
Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Topics: aging services leadership and innovation; confronting ageism and redefining “nonprofit”; the caregiver workforce crisis and chronic underfunding; SkillSpring and career pathways from CNA to LPN and beyond; mentorship, wraparound supports, and retention; intergenerational connection as a workforce strategy; leading through COVID-19 in older adult care.

What does it really take to build pathways to economic security, especially in moments of uncertainty?

In this mini episode, NYCETC CEO Greg Morris sits down with first-time guest host Courtney Granger for a conversation about what’s working, what isn’t, and why the way we talk about “workforce development” may need a serious rebrand.

Drawing on her experience across New York City’s education, workforce, and social service systems, Courtney reflects on the power of relationships, place-based hubs, and truly holistic models that meet people where they are--whether they’re young adults disconnected from school, workers navigating instability, or individuals experiencing housing insecurity.

Together, Greg and Courtney unpack real-life examples from Courtney’s career, including lessons from The Door and partnerships with major employers, to illustrate how low-barrier, human-centered design can unlock opportunity and dignity.

The conversation also looks ahead to Courtney’s next chapter at Project Renewal, and what it means to connect job pathways with stability, care, and long-term mobility, especially for people navigating crisis.

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

In this mini episode, we return to the urgent question at the heart of nearly every workforce conversation: wages—and whether working New Yorkers can actually afford to live in the city they serve.

Michelle Jackson, Executive Director of the Human Services Council of New York, joins us again for a discussion about the growing number of wage justice campaigns unfolding across the city and state. From #JustPay to Living Wage for All NY, fair pay for home care, childcare, and beyond, the two unpack what it takes to align movements that share the same goal but often move on parallel tracks.

Michelle reflects on the responsibility of coalition leadership in a moment when coordination matters more than ever—why rowing in the same direction (and ideally the same canoe) is essential to building power, avoiding fragmentation, and making real progress toward a true cost-of-living wage. The conversation digs into hard realities, including wage compression, business concerns, subminimum wages for tipped workers, workers with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people, and youth, and why those most often left out must be centered in economic justice efforts.

The episode also confronts the often-overlooked benefits cliff—how raises can unintentionally put families at risk of losing essential supports—and why imperfect progress is still progress if the sector is willing to move together.

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

This episode explores what it means to lead not just an organization, but a broad, values-driven coalition responsible for shaping systems, policy, and power across New York City’s human services sector.

The conversation centers on Michelle Jackson, Executive Director of the Human Services Council, and her leadership journey stewarding collective power at scale. From the early days of large-scale mobilization—most notably the 6,000-person #JustPay rally—to the ongoing responsibility of representing providers, workers, and communities, Michelle reflects on what it takes to responsibly hold power that extends far beyond any single institution.

Together, Greg and Michelle dig into the current moment facing human services and workforce advocates: persistent workforce shortages, compensation challenges, and sustainability concerns, all unfolding amid a transition to a new city administration and evolving state dynamics. Michelle speaks candidly about the emotional and strategic weight of coalition leadership—what feels most urgent, what feels most heavy, and what continues to fuel her commitment to the sector.

Looking ahead, the conversation turns to what’s next. With a new mayoral administration on the horizon and shifting policy priorities at the state level, Michelle outlines where the human services sector needs to go and how HSC helps chart that path—balancing advocacy, partnership, and accountability while translating shared vision into real, measurable action.

This episode is a deep dive into coalition leadership: the joy, the pressure, and the responsibility of building power collectively—and using it to move systems that millions of New Yorkers rely on every day.

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Topics: coalition leadership and collective power; human services workforce sustainability; the legacy and lessons of mass mobilization; navigating city and state transitions; advocacy at scale; translating shared vision into policy action; responsibility, resilience, and stewardship in movement leadership.

In the final episode of the year of The NYC Workforce Drop, NYCETC CEO Gregory J Morris sits down with NYS Assembly Member Amanda Septimo (AD-84) for a conversation about leadership rooted in community, workforce equity, and New York’s next political chapter.

A lifelong Bronxite, AM Septimo reflects on her path from early organizing and community advocacy to elected office, and how her lived experience continues to inform her approach to policymaking. She shares what it means to lead with accountability to place, bringing the voices, needs, and aspirations of Bronx families directly into Albany, and how that grounding shapes her priorities around affordability, public health, education-to-career pathways, and workforce access for working adults.

With Greg, AM Septimo digs into the often-overlooked role state policy plays in shaping New York City’s workforce system, from funding decisions and eligibility rules to the alignment (or misalignment) between city and state priorities. Together, they explore how workforce systems function as economic infrastructure and why access, equity, and mobility must remain central as New York navigates ongoing labor shortages, rising costs of living, and widening opportunity gaps.

The conversation also looks ahead. Against the backdrop of a new mayoral administration, a shifting federal landscape, and AM Septimo’s recent announcement to run for Congress, they unpack what this moment of transition means for Bronx communities, city–state coordination, and the responsibility of workforce leaders, advocates, and policymakers to stay engaged as New York defines what comes next.

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Topics: leadership grounded in community; Bronx-rooted policymaking; workforce equity for working adults; affordability and economic mobility; education-to-career pathways; public health and local economic opportunity; city–state coordination; political transition and future leadership; staying engaged in shaping New York’s next chapter.

In this mini episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, Gregory J. Morris, Stephanie Birmingham, Courtney Granger, and Jennifer Tausig dig into the conference comment cards—what attendees told NYCETC about communications, content, and what the next mayoral administration should prioritize on workforce and economic development.

The group reads directly from the cards, surfacing candid, sometimes surprising feedback: calls for new leadership voices inside government, stronger representation from social workers, immigrants, and people with lived experience.

They also reflect on recurring themes attendees wanted elevated in future convenings—from alternatives to incarceration and public safety, to thicker pipelines between CUNY and government careers, and a desire for solutions-focused conversations that move beyond diagnosing problems.

On the communications side, the conversation covers what people actually want to engage with: podcasts, meetups, infographics with video, walk-and-talks, and more accessible, centralized stages that reach audiences both in-person and online. The episode underscores how attendee feedback directly shaped this year’s conference—and will continue to shape NYCETC’s strategy going forward.

The mini pod closes with reflections on the “less swag, more good” initiative, directing conference funds to frontline organizations like the New York Immigration Coalition, and a look ahead to what’s coming next, including a 100-day analysis of the new administration and ideas for 2026.

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)
Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network