Promise in Action - Summer 2019

From the CEO

We usually associate summer with time off and vacations in the sun. But at Children’s Aid, we are hard at work creating summer experiences for children in poverty that are both fun and enriching.

This year, we are keenly focused on our work with teens in foster care who are transitioning to adulthood. Historically, the transition to independent adulthood for youth in foster care has been challenging, as these youth have some of the most distressing life outcomes among all teens. Recently, we have broadened our responsibility from one almost exclusively focused on safety to include a focus on learning – both traditional academic learning as well as social-emotional learning, helping teens develop skills to make responsible decisions and manage emotions. We believe this focus on learning will help change the trajectory for these young people who have experienced a great deal of trauma.

One of the many exciting initiatives is our recent engagement in the Fair Futures campaign. Partnering with more than 100 other nonprofit organizations, we are working to pair all youth in foster care with a life coach starting at a critical stage of their learning: the beginning of high school. Navigating the high school years is difficult for anyone; the challenges are elevated for youth in foster care who often have limited access to adult figures to help guide them.

Our program matches youth in foster care with a life coach who provides support and access to opportunities. Alexander, 19, entered foster care at a young age and was recently matched with his coach, Nayeli. They work together to identify and accomplish goals, and Nayeli is available to him by phone or text 24/7. Alexander credits Nayeli with developing his independent living skills and his newfound focus on finding a career that meets his passion of becoming a motivational speaker. He aspires to work with younger kids in foster care to help them navigate challenges, much like Nayeli does for him.

Recently, we gave another group of youth in foster care a unique opportunity to spend the day with their local elected officials. Our annual Shadow Day brought 16 youth to City Hall where they learned about the inner workings of city government as they spent a full day with their City Council members.

These are just two examples of how we provide new opportunities for youth in foster care born into poverty through no fault of their own. As you read on, I want to remind you of the impact you make in the lives of our city’s children through your support of our efforts. You give them a fair shot and help them see a path they hadn’t thought was possible – one where they can realize better futures for themselves.

Phoebe C. Boyer Signature

Phoebe C. Boyer
President and Chief Executive Officer

COMMITTED PARTNERS
Kobe Bryant, Nike, and Children’s Aid Launch “Mamba League NYC”

Promise in Action - Kobe Bryant Mamba League

Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant, in partnership with Nike, celebrated the inaugural season of Mamba League NYC with a surprise appearance at the Children’s Aid Dunlevy Milbank Center in Harlem this past spring. Mamba League is an eight-week youth basketball league in Los Angeles and New York City that helps kids ages 8-10 learn basketball fundamentals, develop self-confidence, and practice teamwork.

“I started Mamba League to help kids develop basketball skills and life skills,” Bryant said about his passion for expanding the league to New York City. “Our line for the league is, ‘Play, learn, and grow.’ This is really important to me and reflects what I want to share with the kids about my own journey—that through playing the game of basketball across courts in New York City, I learned not just about the game, but about myself and others, and through that process you grow, as an athlete and as a person.”

Mamba League participants and sites are equipped to play the game with youth-sized basketballs, adjustable rims, and Mamba jerseys. The coaches, who are from the communities Children’s Aid serves, receive basketball and social-emotional development skills training. And in an effort to level the playing field, the program strives for half the coaches and players to be female.

“The Mamba League is a fun league for kids to learn the game, have fun, and understand the connection that the game has with life in general—hopefully learning some of the work ethic it takes to become a better basketball player and convert that into being a better son, a better daughter, and a better student,” said Bryant.

The partnership between Nike, Bryant, and Children’s Aid launched with nearly 250 kids on the courts at three different Children’s Aid sites: Milbank, Children’s Aid College Prep Charter School in the South Bronx, and the Goodhue Center in Staten Island.

As Nike spokesperson Lauren Sills states, “The Children’s Aid partnership is a great example of how we can bring the best of what Nike has to offer to our community partners. When we speak about ‘community’ in New York City it should be a holistic and authentic approach…With Children’s Aid, we have done this through court refurbishments, ongoing sports programming, and human capital as volunteers. This isn’t a touch-and-go activation, this is an ideal model of a deep partnership, and a great example of how we are strongest when we show up together.”

IMPACT
Tom Dyja and Suzanne Gluck: Champions for College Students

Four years ago, Children’s Aid donors Tom Dyja and Suzanne Gluck began to provide financial assistance to Children’s Aid youth entering college. It changed the trajectory of their lives in ways none of them could have predicted.

Tom, an author, and Suzanne, a literary agent, knew that social outings, museum visits, and extracurricular fees are among the things that can define the college experience. For Children’s Aid kids, those opportunities can fall between the cracks because they aren’t covered by scholarships and financial aid. Tom and Suzanne decided to give $5,000 each to Chamylah General, Belle Le Grand, Taylor Russell, and Briana Samuel, to support these important college experiences that help build community, as well as some additional college costs.

Chamylah said the money enabled her to live in the dorms at St. Peter’s University. “I was able to experience so much, make contacts, and be involved,” she said. At the end of freshman year, Tom and Suzanne saw the impact of their support, and decided to continue giving their students $5,000 annually until graduation.

“So many Children’s Aid kids work so hard to get to college—they were first in their class, or the best on the debate team. They are used to being exceptional,” said Suzanne. But they are often leaving home for the first time and are suddenly surrounded by more affluent peers. “They may find themselves being one of the few students of color, and that’s a big change,” Suzanne added.

In addition to financial support, Tom and Suzanne wanted to open their professional networks as a resource. “We wanted to give them a net to take some risks,” said Tom. Belle took advantage of their offer in her sophomore year to secure an interview at William Morris Endeavor talent agency and landed an internship.

Belle said, “You can just be yourself around them. I’m never afraid to ask them anything.” Chamylah added, “They gave me a sense of hope. They constantly told me I could do what I wanted. I tell them my dreams and they tell me what I have to do to get there.”

All four young women graduated from college this year and are in agreement: Tom and Suzanne genuinely care about people excelling and becoming the best version of themselves.

YOUTH ACTIVATED
Youth Shadow City Council Members and Share Their Experience in Foster Care

On May 29, the Fostering Youth Success Alliance (FYSA) hosted its Fifth Annual Foster Youth Shadow Day. Sixteen students from across New York City made their way to City Hall for an opportunity to shadow one of New York City’s council members. While shadowing key members of City Council, advocates learned about the functions of city government while becoming more civically engaged as youth advocates.

Students not only learned about the city’s political landscape, but also shared their experiences and challenges navigating through the foster care system, offering City Council members recommendations on what’s currently working and how it can improve. In the past, conversations from private roundtable discussions held during shadow day between participants and council members allowed for ideas to unfold into a set of legislations that were successfully passed in the Council and signed by Mayor de Blasio. Legislations focused on creating a task force and requiring data analysis from key agencies such as the Administration for Children’s Services to help make informed recommendations and decisions on solutions that impact the foster care system.

During the roundtable discussion, program participant Tamaine, who had the opportunity to shadow Youth Services Committee Chair, Debi Rose, said it best: “I feel fulfilled today.” Council members, staff, and participants all felt fulfilled, inspired, and empowered to do more to improve the foster care system. Most importantly, our Fifth Annual Foster Youth Shadow Day provided a space where students were able to bond and motivate each other.

To bring the day to a close, each student was awarded a citation for their academic achievement and dedication to public service. FYSA was also awarded a proclamation to honor the work of the Alliance in addressing challenges of the foster care system and to honor Foster Youth Shadow Day.

Thank you to Speaker Corey Johnson, Council Members Stephen Levin and Debi Rose, the remaining council members, and the Redlich Horwitz Foundation for collaborating with FYSA on an impactful event. Last but not least, thank you to our students for their vulnerability and their strength in sharing their stories. We hope they continue advocating for students across New York City.

THE PATH TO PROMISE
A Second Family for Twin Boys

Viviana and Gerardo Gonzalez have become a second family for two 11-year-old twin boys. The couple, who have been married for 26 years, decided to become foster parents through the Children’s Aid Medical Foster Care program. They chose this program because they wanted to provide love and support to children they felt needed the most care. Six years ago, the Gonzalez family began taking care of the twins, who have cerebral palsy, severe developmental and cognitive disabilities, and are wheelchair-dependent.

To accommodate the special needs of the children, Mr. Gonzalez built a wooden ramp at the entrance of his Queens home. He also designed and built a changing table, specialized high chairs, and a swing in the backyard. The Gonzalez family even purchased a wheelchair accessible van for the twins.

Though the twins live with the Gonzalez family full-time, their foster parents have made sure to welcome the boys’ birth parents into their lives. The birth parents attend medical and school appointments, and special events like birthday parties and holiday celebrations. During weekend visits, the birth father cooks Chinese dishes for the whole family, while Mrs. Gonzalez cooks Ecuadorian dishes. Mrs. Gonzalez also learned how to cook Chinese food to keep the children connected to their heritage. Both sets of parents have even taught each other how to speak Mandarin and Spanish.

While the Gonzalez family has been able to accomplish many of the things they wanted in life—they own a home and a vacation property, and have been able to travel—the one thing they longed for was a child of their own. They said choosing to become foster parents has enriched their lives.

“The children bring so much joy to our lives and we cherish the time we have with them,” Mrs. Gonzalez said. “They make all of our outside stress go away as soon as we walk through the door.”

The twins will move back with their birth parents in the near future, but the Gonzalez family plans to be part of their lives forever. Mrs. Gonzalez, who now serves as a Foster Parent Leader through the Administration for Children’s Services’ Home Away from Home initiative, will also serve as a mentor to incoming foster parents. Her knowledge will allow other foster parents to provide a loving and supportive home similar to the one she and her husband have provided to their foster children.