Our Cornerstone leaders have been making headlines! Oceanside Cornerstone Program Director Nelson Sarweh, Ocean Bay Cornerstone Program Coordinator Darryl Devore, and Senior Program Director Rob Closs were honored with Legacy Leadership Awards at the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Cornerstone 15 gala earlier this summer, recognizing their dedicated service and commitment to excellence. And that’s not all: Redfern Cornerstone Community Cente

By Gerda Gonzalez, LCSW, Senior Program Director In 2024, The Child Center of NY was honored to receive a grant from the New York State Office of Mental Health for suicide prevention among historically under-served populations and LGBTQ+ youth. We currently work with five schools, as well as our DYCD-funded Ocean Bay Cornerstone Community Center. We focus on low-income communities in Corona, Flushing, the Rockaways, and Crown Heights in Queens and Brooklyn. I was excited to h

Our summer theme at P.S. 211Q in Corona is—what else?—The World Cup! In this Photo of the Month, participants are presenting their class banners during Friday assembly. This assembly was even more exciting than usual, as it ushered in the weekend during which the final World Cup match would be played, right here in New York (well, technically New Jersey, but who’s keeping track?). The Child Center of NY operates more than a dozen summer youth programs, many through Summer Ris

A little about me: I am a first-generation South Asian student and the eldest daughter in my family. This fall, I will be attending NYU to major in childhood education and special education. My journey toward this goal was not always straightforward. Before I became a participant in The Child Center’s WIOA Learn & Earn Program, I often felt like I was carefully planning my future but lacked the resources and opportunities needed to get there. As the eldest daughter in a South

’Tis the season for graduation! At The Child Center of NY, we are committed to supporting students in reaching key educational milestones, including high school graduation. A diploma opens doors to expanded opportunities, empowering young people to pursue their goals, build on their strengths, and shape their own futures. NYC Community Schools play an important role in this work. As the lead community-based organization at 21 Community Schools, The Child Center partners with

February was a busy month at The Child Center of NY, and especially at our Beacon Program at M.S. 226 and our SONYC afterschool program at M.S. 318 Waterside School for Leadership! The above photo was part of a cheerleading "Galentine" photo shoot at Beacon 226 in South Ozone Park. The event was designed to promote self-esteem and confidence among the girls. Using fun poses, teamwork, and festive decorations, the students celebrated friendship and sisterhood, positivity, a

Ms. Fran’s Perspective Frances Keogan, Senior Program Director At The Child Center of NY’s COMPASS afterschool programs , our role goes beyond supervision. We provide enriching activities that offer children opportunities to try and excel at new things, as well as a place where they can create friendships with peers and relationships with supportive adults. We also provide a meaningful connection to the school day, reinforcing and sometimes enhancing what children learn in th

The Basie Jewels performed at Radio City Music Hall at Rockefeller Center, directly preceding the legendary Rockettes ! The Basie Jewels dance program was initiated by M.S. 72 in Jamaica, Queens, and The Child Center of NY's Beacon Program at the school joined in collaboration. Beacon Programs are DYCD -funded school-based community centers serving children age six and older, as well as adults. Here, community members engage in enrichment activities, explore their strengths