BROOKLYN NAVY YARD — OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKENDS, 16 young women and their mothers donned hoods, gloves and other safety equipment as they learned to weld and solder by fabricating wearable jewelry items.
The beginner-friendly workshop was hosted by The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation with funding and support from NYC Her Future, an initiative of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice. The event was part of the Navy Yard’s workforce development program.
“The skilled trades are dynamic, accessible and lucrative,” Nathifa Forde, founding executive director of NYC Her Future, said in a release. One workshop participant called the experience a “wow” moment. “It had been a long time since I challenged myself with something that demanded such patience, focus and attention to detail,” she said.
The program shows what is possible “when we create welcoming, hands-on pathways for young people to explore the skilled trades and see that today’s careers in these fields are high-tech, creative and yes, maybe even cool,” Lindsay Greene, president and CEO of the BNYDC, said in a release.
The workshops were led by Michelle Greene Sculptures and Future Jewelers Academy.
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