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The Child Center Celebrates Lights On Afterschool

lightsOnAfterschoolLights On Afterschool, a 16-year-old program of the Afterschool Alliance, was celebrated this week around the country. In New York, nearly 400 schools participated in afternoon and evening festivities to increase public awareness about the importance of afterschool programs, and Governor Andrew Cuomo named October 22 Lights On Afterschool Day. Various activities were planned around the day at many Child Center of NY partner school locations: At COMPASS P.S. 223, Broadway was the theme of the evening; at Beacon 43, students celebrated a “Worldwide Day of Play.”
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Staff Spotlight: Sandra Hagan


Sandra Hagan, Executive Director

Sandra Hagan joined the staff in 1986 as executive director. Ms. Hagan worked for 15 years at an international agency serving runaway and homeless youth where she ran a large shelter in Times Square, then established similar programs in other countries. She received her master’s degree in social work administration from Hunter College of Social Work.

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Staff Spotlight: Linda Rodriguez



Linda Rodriguez
Associate Executive Director
On staff since 2008

EXPERTISE:
Developing infrastructure and formalizing systems so that across all Head Start programs we have common goals and a common approach to working with the families we serve for the best possible outcomes.

FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB:
It goes beyond just a job. There’s a huge potential here in Queens because there’s such an underserved, culturally diverse community. I feel that I am contributing to improving the opportunities for change, expansion, and enhancing the good work that was already going on when I got here.

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Spotlight: Maalika Rastogi

maalika

Maalika Rastogi The Child Center Board of Directors since 2010 and Asian Outreach Advisory Board Chair since 2006

WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE CHILD CENTER?
I believe strongly in giving back to the communities I come from. The Child Center of NY allows me to do so on two levels. My work with The Child Center enables me to give back to the geographic community where I was raised and the cultural community with which I identify.

As a first-generation Indian-American who grew up in Forest Hills, Queens, I was lucky to have grown up in a close-knit family, well adjusted to life in America. I did not experience the kind of economic, social or cultural challenges that many new Asian immigrant children and families are currently experiencing.

Unfortunately, others who grew up like me don’t even realize that such problems exist in our community. And in general, there tends to be a large misconception about Asian Americans —that we are all over-achievers, and doing just fine — but the reality is changing. I felt that it was important to bring attention to the struggles of low-income, at-risk Asian immigrant children, and the important work The Child Center of NY is doing to help these children and their families get their lives back on track. The Child Center is the only agency of its kind that has built both the trust and cultural expertise required to serve the diverse Asian immigrant community in the greater NY area.

WHY SHOULD OTHERS GET INVOLVED?
Anyone who believes that every child deserves a fair chance to succeed in life, should learn more about The Child Center and see how he or she can get involved and support the cause.

I find it extremely rewarding to hear the turnaround stories of children who were severely struggling in school, deemed lost causes at home, or being abused by their parents, and to know that my work and support has contributed to such positive change.

The Asian Outreach Advisory Board, which I chair, is always looking for talented, passionate and energetic new members. Our focus is to fundraise for and increase awareness about The Child Center and its Asian Outreach program.

To get involved, please contact me at mnrastogi@yahoo.com.

Spotlight: Richard Jay

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Dick Jay, President, The Child Center of NY

HOW I GOT INVOLVED:
Because I had two great business experiences in New York, I decided I wanted to give something back to our community. When my wife asked, “What do you want to do?” I had no hesitation. I told her I wanted to help kids. The very next week I got a call out of the blue from then president Hank Auffarth asking me to get involved with The Child Center. It felt like a sign.

First I got involved by organizing and sponsoring a children’s holiday party with my business associates. Then I got involved financially through personal contributions, and then by sharing my business experience. For example, I encouraged The Child Center’s staff to use a strategic planning process that improved cash flow and management—we use it to this day. Then, I turned to the sales and marketing area, finding ways we could raise more revenue by better communicating our mission.

In 2008, I was asked to be president. Since then, I’ve worked on attracting more talent to the agency, both on the fundraising staff and also on the board. We’ve organized effective board committees and encouraged more active involvement from board members.

My goal for The Child Center is to develop a long-term sustainable business model that will help even more at risk kids succeed in life.

WHY OTHERS SHOULD GET INVOLVED?
It’s a terrific feeling to give of yourself to help someone else. And if people want to do something good in the world, what better way than doing it in their own back yard? I feel that The Child Center is a great opportunity to give because it is big enough that we have a real impact on thousands of children’s lives each year. But it is small enough that an individual who gets involved by offering time, money or both can really make a difference.

Staff Spotlight: Deep Ghosh

Deep Ghosh, LCSW-R
Senior Vice President, External Affairs and Community Engagement On staff since 2008

EXPERTISE:
Creation of new program initiatives including HIV prevention, peer education, community service learning, literacy and quality team sports initiatives, capacity-building leadership

PROUDEST MOMENT:
Representing The Child Center at a special awards ceremony for the New York Giants, after their Super Bowl win in 2007. The Child Center was one of two city agencies chosen to receive recognition by Mayor Bloomberg for innovative after school programming.

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