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.

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.