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The United Kingdom Takes A Cue From The Children’s Aid Society’s Community School Model – September 30th, 2009

Members of the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee of the UK Parliament visited New York City to study first-hand The Children’s Aid Society Community Schools. The 13 members of Parliament toured Community School I.S. 218 in Washington Heights – greeted by the principal, June Barnett, as well as members of the National Technical Assistance Center for Community Schools (NTACCS). The Children’s Aid Society operates the NTACCS to assist educators, community leaders, funders and policymakers in adapting The Children’s Aid Society school model.

UKCSThe members of Parliament toured the student wellness center, family room, orthodontic clinic, classrooms and auditorium, and heard presentations about community schools and services provided there. They had much to see and learn: in 2010, all of the schools in England will become extended schools, which are based in part on Children’s Aid’s full service model. On their fast-paced tour, the group posed questions about school-based services, parent involvement, narrowing the achievement gap, and inspiring student self-esteem and motivation — all integral parts of The Children’s Aid Society’s model.

There has also been a valuable link between The Children’s Aid Society and Scotland for 10 years, with our successful model contributing to the implementation of similar schools there. Scottish educators keep abreast of Children’s Aid’s Community Schools developments with yearly visits. Education, like the child who is ready to learn, has no boundaries!

The community schools strategy works in part because parental involvement yields results, as does providing children with enriched learning during out-of-school time. And on-site medical, dental and mental health services are all a part of the legacy of The Children’s Aid Society founder Charles Loring Brace’s vision. Children do better in school when the major influences on their development — family, school and community resources — work together.

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Children’s Aid Receives Ninth 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator! – September 28th, 2009

The Children’s Aid Society is the first-ever recipient of a ninth consecutive four-star rating from Charity Navigator,  the nation’s largest independent charity evaluator! Designated for its “exceptional financial health,” Children’s Aid earned its latest four-star rating for its ability to “consistently execute its mission in a fiscally responsible way,” according to a letter from Ken Berger, President and Chief Executive Officer of the charity evaluator.

Berger’s letter also noted that Children’s Aid’s “ ‘exceptional’ designation from Charity Navigator differentiates The Children’s Aid Society from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.”

After SchoolreadingChildren’s Aid, founded in 1853, has created programs and services for families and children in need for over 156 years.  As times change and the needs of children, families and immigrants have changed, Children’s Aid has established centers and schools, opened clinics, and developed services where in New York City they are needed most.

“We are thrilled that Charity Navigator has recognized Children’s Aid’s ability to serve the impoverished children of New York City effectively and use donations wisely and efficiently,” said C. Warren Moses,  Chief Executive Officer of The Children’s Aid Society. “We intend to maintain our fiscal health while continuing to innovate to meet the needs of children and families today.

“I am especially pleased that during the past fiscal year, donations from individuals actually increased by more than 10 percent, personal donations by Trustees went up and our Board approved an expense budget that included an additional $1.47 million to help sustain ‘lifeline’ programs for our families during the fiscal crisis,” he added.

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Teen Pregnancy Prevention – A Holistic Approach with Promise – September 23rd, 2009

wedHope. It’s a powerful word. It inspires nations, communities, and individuals – young and old. Hope is, according to Dr. Michael A. Carrera, the most effective contraceptive for teens because “the way that you help young people avoid pregnancy is by providing them with real evidence that good things can happen in their lives.”

For 25 years, Dr. Carrera has led The Children’s Aid Society’s wonderfully successful Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program, which is a holistic, “above the waist” approach to teen pregnancy prevention. Regarding teens as “at promise” rather than “at risk,” the program’s mission is to empower young people through academic support and sex education, development of interests, talents and skills, and preparation for employment opportunities.  The Children’s Aid/Carrera program sees the sum of these activities as having a contraceptive effect.

This approach to teen pregnancy prevention is a proven-effective program that has been shown to reduce teen pregnancy rates by 50%. Now that’s a success story.

The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the industrialized world. To help turn that tide, Children’s Aid’s Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program is replicated in 21 sites and 30 other adaptions in 20 states, bringing the holistic approach and its message of Hope across the U.S.

The program doesn’t just address teens. There is a component for parents (and interested adults), too – the Parent Family Life & Sexuality Education program. It’s a way for parents to help guide their children through the decisions of young adulthood. It gives parents the facts, language and resources they’ll need to do the job well.

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Summer Frolic and Theater Camp at Children’s Aid Society Philip Coltoff Center – August 24th, 2009

bestsummer2007Summer fun and children’s theater come together each year at the Philip Coltoff Center’s New Acting Company Summer Camp. The two-week intensive theater camp, scheduled in July, attracts theatrically-inclined children (age 7-14). In the course of each two week camp, students will create an original play with their fellow campers.

A wonderful way to channel their energy and creativity, the camp encourages self-expression and a sense of community between young acting peers.  The children are taught everything from acting, set design/building and sound/lighting to costume design and stage make-up.  The pièce de résistance of each camp is the final performance which family, friends and Village locals attend —and a fabulous time always is had by all!

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Philip Coltoff Center

The Philip Coltoff Center at Greenwich Village plays a vital role in providing educational, recreational and service programs for Village families since 1892.  The Center, which proudly operates under the auspices of the The Children’s Aid Society, offers a wide range of social services that include early childhood education, after-school programs and summer camp, teen and adult classes, and children’s theatre and art programming.

The Center’s mission is to be a center of Village community life, to provide dynamic, high-caliber programs and sponsor events – all with the central aim of enriching the social, cultural, creative and intellectual lives of the children, families and the Greenwich Village community at large.

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Papers and Pencils and Pens, Oh My! – August 17th, 2009

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Grammy award winning Singer-Songwriter Ciara speaks to youth about the importance of education.

The back to school countdown is on! Grammy award winning recording artist Ciara, along with Staples, Inc. and Do Something 101, joined forces this summer to collect school supplies to benefit low-income youth. On, Tuesday, August 04, 2009, celebrities and Do Something volunteers gathered at The Children’s Aid Society’s Dunlevy Milbank Boys & Girls Club to stuff 5,000 back packs to the brim with school supplies donated by Staples. Ciara was joined by Chaske Spencer of the Twilight movie saga and singer/actress Leah Renee.

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Do Something 101 volunteers stuff backpacks with school supplies for youth.

Joel Klein, Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education also dropped in to lend a hand with the tons of paper, pencils and highlighters. Ciara encouraged members of the Dunlevy Milbank Summer Day Camp to focus on their education and not worry about having the latest fashions or hairstyles. “Life is what you make it…you create your destiny”, said Ciara advising the youth to give their all at school this year. She added that now they should have everything they need for a successful start to the school year.

Images courtesy of Giany Mejia

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JCPenney Gives Back to After-School Programs at Children’s Aid Society – August 6th, 2009

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Celebrity designer Kimora Lee Simmons joined JCPenney Chairman and CEO Myron E. (Mike) Ullman III and youth from The Children’s Aid Society at the gala grand opening of the chain’s first store in Manhattan. Photo courtesy of JCPenney.

A crush of media, kids and customers marked the gala opening of the first JCPenney store in Manhattan in late July.  JCPenney Chairman and CEO Myron E. (Mike) Ullman III officiated at the opening, along with New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who shopped for a tie with celebrity designer Kimora Lee Simmons, whose Fabulosity TM line is carried exclusively at JC Penney.

Even more exciting for the 40 children from The Children’s Aid Society who attended, were the $100 gift cards they received for a back-to-school shopping spree at the store, which started right after the grand opening ceremonies concluded.

The JC Penney Afterschool Fund donated $5,000 to The Children’s Aid Society’s after-school programs, along with $50,000 to The After-School Corporation (TASC) and $100,000 to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City to support the city’s Out-of-School Time initiative.  This donation established the After-School Arts Partnership (ASAP) as a means of providing children in after-school programs with greater access to New York City’s rich cultural offerings.

In addition, from August 5 – 16, the new Manhattan store will participate in the nationwide JCPenney Afterschool Round-up, in which customers are invited to ‘round-up’ the total cost of their purchases to the next whole dollar to support after-school programs. All of the Round-up donations collected at the Manhattan store will benefit The Children’s Aid Society!

Children’s Aid is looking forward to an exciting partnership with Manhattan’s new retailer.

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Teens Talk Education with Children's Aid NYC and the New York City Council, Department of Education – July 31st, 2009

On Tuesday, May 19th approximately 60 teens met with representatives of the New York City Council, Department of Education administrators and Children’s Aid Society staff at the 2009 Teen Town Hall on Education, appropriately titled “Cut the Cutting,” held at the Adam Clayton Powell Building in Harlem. They discussed issues affecting their education such as truancy, overcrowding, school closings and safety. “I don’t think adults do enough of this which is listen to young people” said Katherine Eckstein, Director of Public Policy at the Children’s Aid Society. These teen leaders from Bronx and Washington Heights community schools provided recommendations on possible solutions to issues that impact their daily school experiences.Teens-Talk-Education

One recommendation is that students be held accountable for supplies and furniture by requiring deposits on books, fundraising for new furniture and clean desks. The teens on the council also recognized the need for improvement in staff and programming. They recommended training for security officers, adding “specialty teachers” who teach career specific classes and programs that help build supportive relationships between students and staff.

As members of the Youth Council, the teens have had months of discussions and research in teen leadership groups where they are encouraged to become advocates for their communities. Their own experiences served as a platform to discuss these obstacles and develop potential solutions. Listening to these teens share their stories brings to light how critical the school environment is to the educational experience and the effects it has on education quality and dropout rates.

These recommendations have been sent to the Department of Education administrators and elected officials who were not able to attend the event. What’s next for these teens? The young people who coordinated the teen town hall will be interning this summer with elected officials in city council, state assembly and the state senate and others have jobs working with the kids in summer camps.

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Children's Aid Announces New CEO – July 21st, 2009

The Children’s Aid Society is excited to announce the appointment of Richard R. Buery, Jr. as our new President and Chief Executive Officer. He will succeed C. Warren “Pete” Moses, who will retire after our annual meeting in October.

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Richard R. Buery, Jr. - Photo by Andew Walker

Buery, 37, will be the organization’s first African-American leader. He is currently the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Groundwork, Inc., a nonprofit organization established to create transformative change for families living in public housing in Brooklyn, New York.  Growing up in one of New York City’s most underserved communities, Buery was profoundly affected by the different opportunities available to young people he grew up with in East New York, Brooklyn and those he went to school with at New York City’s prestigious Stuyvesant High School.

During his entire career, he has demonstrated a great commitment to social innovation on behalf of underserved communities. As an undergrad at Harvard College, he co-founded the Mission Hill Summer Program, an enrichment program for children in a housing development in Boston. After graduating from Yale Law School, he co-founded iMentor, a mentoring program connecting middle and high school students with volunteer mentors through online and in-person meetings.

“For over 150 years, The Children’s Aid Society has been synonymous with innovation, effectiveness, and zealous advocacy on behalf of New York City’s children,” said Buery. “I am humbled by the opportunity to lead this institution, and look forward to working with Children’s Aid’s board, staff, and – most importantly – the families we serve. I am fortunate to be taking the reins when Children’s Aid is in a position of relative strength. These are difficult times, but it is precisely during times like these that we must focus on what is most important – investing in the health, happiness and well-being of our children.”

“I am very pleased that Richard Buery will be joining and leading Children’s Aid,” said Pete Moses.  “He believes in change driven by impact on the lives of our children. I know that he has the compassion, commitment to the poor, skills and leadership ability to direct the agency and is excited that Children’s Aid is able to provide comprehensive supports to have a transforming impact on families. I am confident that the staff will be excited to meet and work with him.”

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Taking Time to Honor Academic Achievers and Civic Minded Youth – July 8th, 2009

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Bob Stern congratulates Quenniqua Martinez, winner of the first Jean L. Stern Memorial Scholarship.

A real sense of family prevailed in the Con Ed auditorium on the evening of June 18th as an eager crowd gathered for the annual Children’s Aid Society E.X.C.E.L. ceremony honoring high school and college graduates. Students’ families were in attendance, in addition to the families formed at Children’s Aid community centers and schools across the city – support networks of peers and staff that have proven invaluable in the lives of many teens.

Quenniqua Martinez, 17, Children’s Aid’s Youth of the Year and a member of the Frederick Douglass Center since age 6, said, “There is always someone there to talk to and someone to support me when my family can’t.”

The Children’s Aid Society’s E.X.C.E.L. (Educational Excellence Creating Empowered Leaders) is a comprehensive educational and life skills program designed to engage students, ages 14-21, in a breadth of services geared towards preparing them for college and promoting their future success.

In an emotional ceremony, 48 exceptional graduates were recognized for their achievements, ranging from academic excellence to overcoming obstacles to demonstrating leadership and community service.  The young peoples’ hard work and perseverance were lauded and accomplishments celebrated.  Children’s Aid’s CEO, C. Warren Moses, praised the “beautiful, smart articulate young people” gathered for the ceremony.

As college costs rise and aid to low-income students declines, higher education is increasingly out of reach for many youth. To help ease the burden of these escalating costs, fifteen graduating high school seniors received scholarships provided by Children’s Aid, individual donors and corporate sponsors.

As he presented a scholarship named in honor of his father to the college graduate with the highest grade point average (Wendy Flores), former mayor David N. Dinkins told tales from his own college days and emphasized the importance of education.

At the end of the evening, the graduates were excited for the new adventures and challenges that lay ahead.  The Children’s Aid Society wishes them the best of luck!


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New York's Children's Aid Society Teens Speak Out-On Education – July 6th, 2009

Fourteen teens from community schools and centers across The Children’s Aid Society
visited City Hall on April 30th

casvistit7-3It was Martin Luther King, Jr. who said “Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.”  Well, intelligence and character were certainly in abundance when local teens from The Children’s Aid Society community centers and schools voiced their opinions, insight and concerns on educational issues at a recent visit to City Hall.

These articulate young men and women participated in an interactive discussion with New York City Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development, Dennis Walcott, on topics such as municipal government control of the NYC school system, parental involvement, overcrowded classes and gang violence.  It was a win-win exchange of ideas. The students gained an appreciation for the role that government plays vis-à-vis their education, as well as a sense of empowerment in knowing that their collective voice is being heard. The Deputy Mayor was duly impressed by the young people whose educational best interests he, in his official capacity, is entrusted.

This visit to City Hall grew out of the fifth annual Youth Speak Out on Education Conference, held in February 2009 and presented by Children’s Aid and the Audrey Miller Poritzky Education Fund for Children. Students researched, wrote and performed lively presentations on a topic of their choosing – the New York City school environment and academic success. As in years past, Deputy Mayor Walcott attended the Speak Out and invited these motivated teens to City Hall for a more in depth conversation.

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