Sorting and Cleaning Books for the Library

On September 28-29, over 200 corporate volunteers from Macy’s partnered with The Children’s Aid Society and The United Way to revitalize CAS’s Dunleavy Milbank Center in Central Harlem.  The project enabled Macy’s employees to select projects that interested them such as reading with our daycare students, refurbishing rooms, planting in the courtyard, exercising with our recreation participants, or reorganizing the library.

Macy’s participants were able to use their specific talents to enhance their work at Milbank; for example, members of Macy’s Design Team put their creativity to good use by designing, painting and decorating the multi-purpose room and the arts & crafts studio.

We are very grateful to Macy’s for contributing to The Children’s Aid Society in such a dynamic and hands-on fashion. Like all of our corporate volunteer projects, the two-day event was mutually beneficial for Macy’s and Children’s Aid— it gave volunteers the opportunity for fun and team-building and taught them about their city and provided Milbank with the needed resources for capital improvements and engaging activities for our after-school program. The Macy’s project breathed new life into our center—the Milbank staff and students were thrilled to have Macy’s visit!

For information how you or your company can get connected with volunteer opportunities, contact Scott McLeod at 212-381-1173.

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.

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

One great example is our community schools.  Our leading partner is the New York City Department of Education. This year there are also over 100 partners in this effort, bringing fabulous results.  Leading examples include Alvin Ailey, American Ballet Theatre, and Michael Roberts restaurant. For more information about community schools, please visit us here.

We are also founding members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (B&GCA) and are working more closely than ever with the Clubs’ local, state, regional and national staffs. One partnership with B&GCA is at our Dunlevy Milbank Center: the B&GCA was the recipient of the largest gift made to date by Microsoft, bringing its latest hardware and software to children using our cutting-edge facility.

There are far too many partners to name individually, but our community partners include city, county, state and federal agencies and departments; hospitals; health providers; colleges and university graduate schools of social work, nursing, medicine and education; mental health providers; community development groups; service societies; parents groups; police groups; youth-serving agencies; child and family welfare coalitions; school boards; housing alliances; food cooperatives; and scores of other agencies, businesses, church groups, professional associations, task forces and volunteers.  Lots of Volunteers!

And any list of partners with the Children’s Aid Society would also not be complete without acknowledging the support of thousands of donors that help finance these important programs, helping bring brighter futures to so many youth at risk! To learn more about donations, visit us here.

Children of all ages have been enjoying the music experience through innovative after-school programs like The Children’s Aid Chorus, Harmony in Harlem, drumming groups and music recording studios.  Within these programs, children of all ages can explore all types of music – whether it’s a gospel song or moody jazz on a tenor sax.   Budding composers and recording artists can write, record and produce an original piece of music composition at actual recording studios in either the Frederick Douglass Center or Dunlevy Milbank Center.

Music brings people together – crossing all boundaries of culture, race and economics – The Children’s Aid Chorus Program is a perfect example. It comprises 19 vocal ensembles with over 350 chorus participants aged 5-18.  The award-winning choristers have had the opportunity to tour across North America, perform on television and at famous, historic venues, sing for dignitaries and collaborate with composers. In fact, each year at its Spring Concert, The Children’s Aid Society Chorus debuts new commissioned work by an American composer.

Yes, at New York’s Children’s Aid Society, we know that music nourishes both our kids’ minds and souls.  We see it in their smiles and in their bright eyes – each and every day.

For more information on any of our music programs, please call (212) 533-1675