Mr. Sylvester Williamson

“Do You Have Any Homework, Dad?” – Sylvester’s 9 year-old son

I saw the flyer on the ground in Getty Square and thought that this might be the right program for me. I thought, “what am I going to lose?” I can’t lose too much more than I already have. I called Miss Dukes for what felt like 1,000 times, but we played phone tag. She finally caught up with me at 5:30 on a Sunday night. I had to hurry up and test, get my paperwork together, and jump into the program. She said that she could see I was hungry and persistent. She’s right. The Yonkers Green Connection program is different from other programs because everyone has a reason to learn: to get a job.

If I went into the field right now I’d know how to do the job because of two reasons: the teacher did an excellent job, and we all helped each other – these guys are no joke – they are disciplined. On the bus rides from BOCES back to Yonkers we would elaborate on the coursework, tutor each other, read the materials, and study.

My son watches me in this program and I am a positive role model for him. He’s on the strait and narrow, and you can thank his mom for that. This program has changed my relationships. I am definitely more positive, and also, I can fix stuff around the house! Even my son knows I’m going to accomplish the goals I set for myself. He says he can’t wait for Christmas this year. My success in this program demonstrates that I am committed to making positive changes in my life.

Everything will come in its time. I’m pretty sure that all I have to do is keep trying, keep my hopes up, and take it one day at a time.

Group Graduation Picture

A much nicer photo of our amazing grads.
Also pictured are Steven Brown, President and CEO of the Greyston Foundation,
and Mayor of Yonkers, Phil Amicone

GRADUATION!!!

Congratulations to the first graduating class of Greyston's Yonkers Green Connection!

In random order:

Mr. Travis J. Simmons

Mr. Sylvester Williamson

Mr. Ralph Veal

Mr. Timothy Norfleet

Mr. Clayton Jenkins

Mr. Andra Gray

Mr. Curtis Faulk

Mr. Raymond Cruz

Mr. Kenneth W. Peace, Jr.

Mr. Steven T. Ray, Jr.

Ms. Torsha Lane

Mr. Robert Richardson

Mr. Anthano Stewart

Ms. Jenia Whitney

Mr. Timothy Joyner

City of Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone (r) congratulates Ray Cruz (l) on his great accomplishment.

Two very important gentlemen: Frank Treglia (l) from Green Tree Energy, who promised to hire at least 2 YGC graduates! and Geoff Line (r), who taught the YCG class at Northern Westchester BOCES.

Please check back soon for more graduation pictures and lots more stories about YGC participants. Thanks for your support!

Mr. Raymond Cruz

You are what you think.

Yonkers Green Connection is an opportunity to make a difference and change my life around.

I grew up without a dad and that definitely had an impact on my life. I acted like a knucklehead and I did 15 years – why lie? It’s the truth. I don’t want to go back. I can’t go back. I can’t go back to the same people and places. I need to make personal changes and educational changes – I need to be around the right people.

I have already beaten the odds and I will continue on that track. When I was leaving prison, the parole board told me that I’d be one of those guys back in the system. They are wrong. I am still out, being a productive citizen; I work as much as I possibly can, take GED classes, come to YGC every day, and I take care of my responsibilities. I have a dream, a goal. I want to start my own company and with the education I am getting here I know I will make it. All I want is to be financially stable, to take care of myself and my family. It’s hard to get back on my feet but I will.

You are what you think. If you can visualize something, you can make it happen. I visualize my success and I don’t entertain negativity.

Timothy Norfleet

“We fight hard for our reasons,

But we won’t fight hard for our goals.”

We don’t use the word “excuse,” we use the word “reason.” We use it to get over, to pamper: “the reason I didn’t....” “the reason I couldn’t...” In Yonkers Green Connection there’s none of that. Ms. Dukes wouldn’t even entertain it. So now, we don’t look for reasons, we look for goals. We search for ways to reach – to exceed – our goals.

I am proud to be a part of this group – the 15 Elite –, and prouder still to say that I genuinely like and respect everybody in this group. They are the most talented, interesting people I have ever seen. We all have very different personalities, be we are one team. We count on Ms. Dukes and it feels great to know that she counts on us, too.

Ms. Dukes helps us shine. When we first came, we were 15 talented people, but even we didn’t believe why we were picked. Some of us had damaged self esteem due to our life experiences. She saw it. Whenever we feel like we’re going to fold, she doesn’t pamper us, she makes us face our fears.

This group is like taking a pebble and tossing it in the water. The positive effects of this program will ripple through us, through our relationships, families, communities and thorough generations. By working hard and achieving we will make it easier for others who come after us and that’s ok. A legend is someone who leaves something behind, who makes a mark, and everyone in this group is a legend.

Miss Torsha Lane

The Weatherization Experience:

Although the word “weatherization” is new, the concept is practically ancient. The most important information I’ve obtained throughout my training as a weatherization technician was simply this: know who you are. Know your self worth. Become your title and nothing else for your employer’s expense.

I must say, that at first the idea of handling such bulky equipment was nerve wracking, but when properly taught how to handle the equipment in a safe way it gave me the confidence to tackle my fear head-on. Today I can confidently say I am a weatherization technician all the way. Yay me!

The Elite 15:

Thankful is the only word I could think of. How blessed am I to meet such a distinct and flavorable group of people. Our backgrounds and pedigrees might be different but our hunger and drive are remarkably the same. I challenge you to get to know the Elite 15!

Westchester Business Journal

Robert Richardson and Ralph Veal

See the front page article about Yonkers Green Connection in the Westchester Business Journal online by clicking here!