Two weeks ago, we kicked off our essential workers campaign. Whether working from home or within our neighborhoods, essential workers are supporting a strong recovery for those who are too often overlooked, underrepresented, or underinvested in.  

Our third essential worker feature focuses on Annette Montalvo, Director of CPC Hospitality Careers Training Program and Deputy Director of CPC Queens Community Center. A veteran of the hospitality industry, Annette has assisted generations of community members in gaining the skills they need to find long-term employment.

Chris Kuo, Leadership Council: Could you tell us about your background? 

Annette Montalvo, Director of Training Programs: I was born in NYC and grew up in some of the toughest neighborhoods of The Bronx. My parents came here from Puerto Rico at a young age and had to drop out of high school to find jobs and support their family. They were both very hard workers, and I believe that is one trait I received from them. Being the eldest daughter among five children, I had to take on a lot of responsibilities early in life and help raise my younger siblings. I also focused a lot on my studies to ensure I got the education that my parents couldn’t have. In fact, growing up, I always imagined myself as a teacher, helping others around me to learn. I ended up becoming the first person in my family to graduate from high school and then from college as well. 

Chris Kuo, Leadership Council: Is there any memory from your work that you’d like to share?

Annette Montalvo, Hospitality Careers Training Director: Last year we celebrated the Hospitality Careers Training Program’s 40th anniversary. My team and I reached out to all of our program’s graduates from the past 40 years. We sent out texts and emails, made phone calls, and left messages inviting them to join us at the gathering. I got to see all the students I’d taught over my 22 years with the program. Even after all this time, they still knew each other and were still friends. And they remembered me. That was a big, big moment for me, personally. I may not remember all of their names, honestly, but they’re like my children. I think of that day and it brings joy to my life. I’m so grateful that we were able to accomplish that. 

Share Annette's story using #EssentialWorkers and #AlwaysEssential.

Essential Worker Quick Facts

 Black, Latinx, and Asian people make up
more than 70% of the city’s essential workers.

Human services workers are essential workers.

New York City contracts have not set rates that accurately reflect 
human services workers' commitment to essential work.

All of CPC's staff are essential workers. 

Tweets You Can Use To Share #AlwaysEssential Posts:

Help me lift the voices of #EssentialWorkers. Like and share this post to stand in solidarity with human services workers. #AlwaysEssential bit.ly/cpc-always-essential

#EssentialWorkers risk their health and their families’ health to serve others through COVID-19. As New York begins to recover, orgs like @cpc-nyc will be among the ones helping the hardest hit New Yorkers put their lives back together. Support them here: bit.ly/cpc-covid-19-relief-fund #AlwaysEssential

About CPC
The Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) is the nation's largest Asian American social services organization. Founded in 1965, CPC aims to promote the social and economic empowerment of Chinese American, immigrant, and low-income communities of New York City.

華人策劃協會(華策會)是全美國最大的亞裔美國人及太平洋島民社區服務機構.成立於1965年,華策會專門為紐約市的華裔美國人,移民,和低收入民眾提供金融權力和社區服務.