Building a Way Forward: Rasheem’s Journey Through the CRED Employment Program

For Rasheem, joining Westhab’s CRED (Community Resources for Employment and Development) program came at a time he needed it the most. After working nearly a decade for an overnight sanitation company and then taking on seasonal work, he found himself without full-time stable work for almost two years. Like many other New Yorkers, this inconsistency took its toll.

“It was a challenge when you got bills to pay, still got kids to feed,” he said. “Just having that stability, like being able to cover the things I need to cover.” 

At the same time. Rasheem was dealing with the emotional weight of his mother’s cancer diagnosis while trying to remain present for his family. It was during this time that he entered the CRED program, an experience he describes as being the start of a new chapter, a place where he felt welcomed, supported, and motivated. 

Rasheem’s experience reflects a broader reality across New York City, where researchers and advocates increasingly name employment instability, not just unemployment, as a major driver of housing insecurity. In NYC, where rent and the cost of living continually outpace wages, even short disruptions to employment can place families under enormous pressure. Funded by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), the CRED program offers participants paid training from day one and, in doing so, removes a major barrier that can prevent low-income New Yorkers from participating in workforce programs at all. 

The CRED program takes participants through three phases: job readiness, occupational skills training, and work experience or internships. Participants are then transitioned to job placement and retention services, supporting them throughout the entire employment process. The program also offers participants connections to mental health services, an essential and often overlooked resource that can strengthen their ability to find work and long-term stability. 

For Rasheem, the support has made a financial difference, but has also helped him beyond a steady paycheck:

“The support is there 100%,” he said. “It’s a 360 experience of help that you don’t expect to get. I came for the training and the paycheck, and I stayed for the way it helped improve my mindset.”

Since opening in early 2026, Westhab’s CRED program has trained 29 participants. As the cohort moves towards a July graduation, Westhab hopes to build on that momentum and help more New Yorkers access the steady employment that will create long-term stability for themselves and their families. 

For Rasheem, his goal is simple: keep it moving forward.

“It means a lot to me,” he said about his new work experience. “I’m getting back on my feet.”