32BJ Training Fund

We congratulate our members Miguela De Peña Antonio from New Jersey, and Oscar Melo Delgado from Brooklyn, both originally from the Dominican Republic, who, despite unnecessary hurdles became citizens recently. Their resilience is an inspiration.

At the Training Fund, we take our responsibility for this beautiful planet seriously. From incorporating green teachings into everyday curriculum, to today's celebrations for staff and members, we believe the Earth to be a special place worthy of care and attention.

Ferdinand Fernandez from the Dominican Republic is the latest 32BJ member to pass the citizenship test. We wish him many good things.

Congratulations to 32BJ members and Training Fund students Erika Aguilar and Lorenzo Rojas, who recently passed their GED exam.

We congratulate the newest American citizens among our students, Fatbardha Ismaili from Albania and Renee Cangalaya from Peru. Like immigrants throughout the country, they have been serving the US for years, and have now achieved this milestone despite many recent challenges.

We not only have classes at our Training Fund sites, but we can also bring many of our excellent courses to where you work!

Here members from RMR Management in Larchmont gather with instructor Luis Ramos after completing the Fire Safety for Residential Buildings class.

We normally speak about our students, but here is some insight into the work that goes into preparing our courses.

Last week, our colleague Paul Zurawski, Curriculum Development Specialist, traveled to Dallas to attend the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) conference and find out how other adult education programs are navigating this fraught political moment. During sessions such as Using Anti-Colonial Philosophy to Improve Your Teaching, Curriculum Design, and Program, he found innovative thinking and a mutual understanding that protecting our students’ best interests is a priority that requires intention and creativity.

Here are some of our Boston students taking a timely Self-Defense course.

Find a course near you by logging into www.32bjmemberportal.org.

💪

Congratulations to Irene Ebanks from Haiti, the latest 32BJ member to become a US citizen. In the words of her Training Fund instructor, she is "a wonderful person" and "helpful classmate", and may we add, very stylish!

Thank you for all your contributions to this country, Irene!

Carlos Mendez, 32BJ member and a native of beautiful Colombia, is the latest US citizen in our ranks. His Training Fund instructor describes him as a hard worker. Congratulations, Carlos!

Congratulations to these new Americans and longtime hardworking immigrants and 32BJ members, who, despite recent roadblocks and setbacks, are now officially citizens.

From left to right, top and bottom:

• Richard Sequrra of Manhattan, from Venezuela
• Mustafa Bendaoud of Queens, from Morocco
• Neri Perez of NYC, from Mexico
• Anderson Montoya of Manhattan, from Colombia
• Sugenny Garcia of Manhattan, from the Dominican Republic
• Maria Germoso of the Bronx, also from the Dominican Republic

Did you know that building generate almost 35% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.? In a city the size of NYC, turning to green practices presents significant opportunities—from a more sustainable future, to reduced maintenance costs (as much as 20% in existing buildings), to advancing workers’ careers.

Listen to Michaela Boren, our Manager of Green Programs, discuss our sustainability training, which is now incorporated into all our career tracks.

Our students know that the building industry is going green, and Michaela’s work ensures that they stay ahead of the curve.

Educating building operators for a green future - Urban Green Council Discover how 32BJ Training Fund is preparing building operators for a sustainable future.

Yanet Santana De Concepcion and Indhira Tejada, both from the Dominican Republic, are the latest 32BJ members to become US citizens. Thank you for your service to this country, Yanet and Indhira.

We welcome Guadalupe Vaquero, from our wonderful neighbor nation of Mexico, to the ranks of recent 32BJ members-US citizens.

Congratulations to Claudia Campos, 32BJ member from Maryland, who became a US citizen yesterday. Like most new American citizens, Claudia has long been a valuable part of her community--20 years working for the University of Maryland.

Thank you for your service to this country, Claudia.

The Department of Homeland Security just announced re-registration for holders from certain countries. If you currently hold TPS and are from El Salvador, Venezuela, Sudan or Ukraine, you will be able to re-register soon. We will update you as more information is released.

El Salvador:
-Extension is from March 10, 2025 through September 9, 2026
-Current TPS holders must re-register between January 17, 2025 and March 18, 2025

Venezuela
-Extension is from April 3, 2025 through October 2, 2026
-Current TPS holders should re-register between January 17, 2025 and September 10, 2025

Ukraine & Sudan
-Extension is from April 19, 2025 through October 18, 2026
-Current TPS Holders must re-register between January 17, 2025 and March 18, 2025