The Rite Aid Foundation has generously gifted The Child Center of NY with a $10,000 grant as part of its annual Giving Tuesday grant award. Continue reading
Thank You to The Rite Aid Foundation!
Supporter Spotlights
Chobani, Visionary Sponsor of Our 2021 Backpack Drive, Spoons Out Happiness in Queens
Chobani brought a truck full of drinkable yogurt and other products for students and parents to enjoy during dismissal.
As NYC students returned to classrooms this September, The Child Center of NY provided backpacks for families in need through our 2021 Backpack Drive. This year, with the help of our visionary sponsor, Chobani, we raised more than $84,000 and provided backpacks and school supplies for 4,000 students.
In addition to generously donating $25,000, Chobani visited our afterschool program in Elmhurst to distribute backpacks, school supplies, and snacks to local families. Continue reading
Child Center of NY Backpack Drive Featured on NY1!
The Child Center of NY holds an annual backpack drive to ensure that every child in our programs who needs a backpack and school supplies has them on the first day of school. Many of the families we serve count on us to help them with these necessities, which can cost more than $100 for each child. This year, our drive is especially vital, as children return to in-person learning, some for the first time in more than a year.
To help get the word out, Spectrum News NY1 aired a special segment about our backpack drive in which anchor Angi Gonzalez explained how everyday New Yorkers can help. Continue reading
Early Childhood Education in Action
HHS Secretary Becerra, NYC DOE Chancellor Porter, and NYC First Lady McCray Visit Us in Corona
On May 25, we had the honor of showing U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, New York City Department of Education Chancellor Meisha Porter, and NYC First Lady Chirlane McCray and her son, Dante, the important work we do at The Child Center.
They toured our Early Childhood Corona center, which includes Early Head Start and Head Start/EarlyLearn programs. We were grateful for the opportunity for them to see our programs in action, and for us to learn more about their commitment to early childhood education and wraparound care, a cornerstone of Child Center programs.
Healthcare Rocks! Concert Benefits The Child Center of NY
The moment Dr. Suedeh Ranjbar, accompanied by Dr. Collin Brathwaite on piano, belted out Alicia Keys’ “Good Job” — with lyrics like, “You’re doing a good job/Don’t get too down/The world needs you now” — audience members knew they were in for an emotional and meaningful evening. Continue reading
Statement by The Child Center of NY on the Passing of Former Borough President Claire Shulman
Claire Shulman was a trailblazer, dedicated public servant, and one of Queens’ biggest advocates. Even as Queens grew and expanded, she never lost sight of the less fortunate and was a true partner to The Child Center of NY and other community-based organizations working to close the gap in our most under-served communities. Our organization, the children and families we serve, and many more residents are better off because of Claire’s leadership and commitment to Queens. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Claire Shulman.
Children’s Yard Sale Raises Thousands for Child Center COVID Fund
COVID-19 has dramatically affected all of our lives, and clients of The Child Center have been particularly hard hit. Working in fields like food service and house cleaning, they were among the first to lose their jobs after the shutdown. Whether they originally came to The Child Center looking for shelter or job security, to get mental health or addiction treatment, or to help their children graduate from high school, they needed our services more than ever, so we created the COVID-19 Response Fund to ensure we could continue to meet their needs.
Three young supporters of The Child Center found out about the fund from their grandfather, Child Center Board President Dick Jay, and knew they wanted to contribute.
“We did a big clean out of the back shed,” explains 14-year-old Lucas, “and I thought of our stoop sales in Brooklyn. So I suggested a lawn sale for The Child Center at my grandfather’s house.”
Our Culinary Stars on PBS!
Lidia Bastianich Cooks with Our Youth
**New date and time: Sunday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. on WNET, Channel 13, for the New York Metro market. PBS will run the show in most other U.S. cities on Fri., Dec. 20–check the Lidia Celebrates America website for air times in your area.
Renowned chef and Emmy Award-winning television personality Lidia Bastianich cares deeply about immigrants and under-served youth having pathways to bright futures.
On Sunday, December 15, Lidia’s PBS special Lidia Celebrates America will premiere on WNET and will include a segment of Lidia cooking with 12 juniors and seniors of the Culinary Arts Program at August Martin High School (AMHS), an inner-city school in Jamaica, Queens. The five-year innovative partnership between The Child Center and August Martin has brought about a dramatic turnaround in graduation rates from 23% to 74% in four years. 
Photo of the Month: Happy MetsGiving!
It was a gorgeous fall day in Far Rockaway for MetsGiving! Mr. Met, along with Captain Robinson and officers from the NYPD 101st Precinct and NYPD 100th Precinct, ushered in the holiday season by handing out turkeys to local families in need at the new Dix Avenue Apartments playground we all built together with KaBOOM! We are so grateful for the New York Mets turkey tradition — and to be an official Community Partner of the Mets all year long!
Happy MetsGiving, everyone!
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