Philip & Dominick: From Marcy, with Love

Philip and Dominick have a lot in common: they both come from immigrant families, they both hate having too much free time, and they both had their lives changed by Marcy Cornerstone Community Center.

“It was a sanctuary away from home and school,” explained Philip. Dominick agreed, “It was life-changing for me. The center gave me somewhere to direct my time and energy.”

Philip and Dominick attended a career-focused session cohosted with the City’s former DYCD Commissioner, Keith Howard, who sat down with participants to discuss what kind of programming they felt should be funded.  Eventually, former Commissioner Howard funded a two-day college trip for Marcy participants, who appreciated how much Grand Street and the DYCD Commissioner prioritized their interests.

“It made us feel like our voices really mattered,” Phillip said.  

Marcy Cornerstone hired Philip and Dominick as part of the Anti-Gun Violence Employment Program (AGVEP), a year-round program that increases employment and enrichment opportunities for young adults.

Phillip shared how fulfilling it was to work and earn his own while prioritizing his community, “I loved that I was making a difference by doing something I loved.”

Dominick recognized that the program opened doors for him, “Without the Marcy Community Center, I could’ve walked a different path. There are so many different opportunities that Grand Street provides, and it needs to be spread like the gospel.”