Rebuilding Puerto Rico

PathStone’s Environmental Job Training Program

After years of environmental neglect and a string of hurricanes, Puerto Rican communities needed help. In 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria hit the island, leading to severe contamination of drinking water, the air and food supplies, with more than 150 brownfield sites posing added risks. The recovery required skilled workers and resources to ensure safety and rebuild.

The Solution: PathStone’s Role

PathStone, a nonprofit serving Puerto Rico’s economically distressed communities since 1969, stepped in to meet the need. With the support of an EPA Brownfields Job Training Grant, PathStone designed a training program to prepare local residents for safe, well-paid environmental cleanup jobs. This training covered essential skills, such as hazardous waste handling, asbestos remediation and pesticide safety.

PathStone, a nonprofit organization, is helping local residents get jobs to clean up contamination.

Community-Centered Approach

PathStone works closely with local groups to understand and meet community needs. For trainees facing transportation and food insecurity, PathStone collaborates with municipalities and local organizations to provide public transport, food and other support. Training is hands-on, including simulations to build students’ confidence and practical skills for the cleanup work ahead.

Real Impact on Residents’ Lives

The program has transformed lives by helping trainees secure better-paying jobs, with some graduates moving from minimum wage to $19 an hour or more. Leslie Eunice Félix Rodríguez, a graduate trained in hazardous waste operations, welding and pesticide safety, calls her experience “spectacular.” Her certifications have opened doors, offering valuable skills in environmental work. PathStone’s training equips individuals like Leslie with tools to build lasting careers.

Juan José Morales Montañez

Kenya Ortiz Márquez

Leslie Eunice Félix Rodríguez

Laura Rodríguez

PathStone’s Results

With over $1.2 million in EPA grants and additional funding, PathStone has built a resilient workforce prepared to protect Puerto Rico. The program’s success is seen in each graduate’s progress-from minimum-wage jobs to higher-paying careers that support their families and communities.

“Despite economic and educational barriers, my peers had the courage to do what seemed to them like impossible tasks to better their lives.”
— Naysabeth Vargas Mejías, Program Graduate and Placement and Career Service Developer at PathStone

PathStone and EPA are empowering communities to transform brownfield sites into thriving, safe environments.

A Journey of Resilience and Impact

PathStone’s journey to support Puerto Rico’s communities shows that persistence pays off. After an initial setback in 2014, PathStone secured five EPA awards, transforming opportunities and lives across the island. Despite challenges like hurricanes, each grant fuels growth, community resilience and progress toward a sustainable future.

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Tips for Aspiring Grantees

For organizations interested in EPA Brownfields Job Training Grants, PathStone advises engaging closely with community leaders to gather insights that shape relevant, locally focused training programs. Tailor certifications and skills to the area’s specific employment needs to ensure graduates are well-prepared for job opportunities and long-term impact.

To learn more, visit our Job Training Grants page or contact the EPA Region 2 office at 212-637-3283 or email Mitchell.Schenine@epa.gov.