Four local Brooklyn organizations have teamed up for a new program that offers free job placement and educational services to public housing residents in Red Hook and Gowanus.

“Stronger Together,” which launched late last month, is an initiative that seeks to reduce poverty in the NYCHA developments and is led by the Fifth Avenue Committee in collaboration with Brooklyn Workforce Innovations, Red Hook Initiative and Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corp.

The program includes free job training and placement, as well as educational and support services such as legal advice, financial coaching and tax preparation, according to a press release.

The employment program and services will be based on existing services offered by these nonprofits. For example, Brooklyn Workforce Innovations is currently recruiting candidates in careers like commercial driving, cable installation and woodworking, according to its website.

NYCHA residents between the ages of 18 and 64 years who live in Red Hook and Gowanus are encouraged to enroll, said Ron Zak, director of development and communications at the Fifth Avenue Committee.

A tracking system will also allow the program to document its success rate in reducing poverty and help connect local residents with jobs, Zak added.

The organizations have received $1 million in funding from Change Capital Fund and $77,500 from the City Council’s Brooklyn Delegation to run the “Stronger Together” program over the next four years.

They hope to reach about 1,200 residents during that time.

Original Article found on DNAinfo.