New York - Phipps Neighborhoods and The Children’s Aid Society today joined forces to announce a $1,000,000 expansion grant from JPMorgan Chase to support their cradle-through-career collective impact initiative in the South Bronx. The project, known as “South Bronx Rising Together,” will build on work the partners began in 2013 – identifying key barriers to educational and economic success in the Bronx Community District 3. The ultimate goal is to broaden the collective impact initiative across multiple issue areas including education, workforce readiness and economic development as well as multiple districts.
“The support of JPMorgan Chase reflects a long-term investment in the mission of Phipps Neighborhoods – to provide education and workforce readiness that children and families need to transcend poverty,” said Dianne Morales, executive director and CEO of Phipps Neighborhoods. “By working with community partners and key stakeholders, South Bronx Rising Together holistically supports families and their children on the journey to success.”
“The Children’s Aid Society, Phipps Neighborhoods and JPMorgan Chase share a commitment to creating cradle-to-career pathways for young people in New York City’s highest-poverty communities,” said Bill Weisberg, interim president and CEO of The Children’s Aid Society. “With this grant and the incredible array of partners we have convened, South Bronx Rising Together will indeed put us on the path to helping families in the South Bronx live their lives free from poverty.”
South Bronx Rising Together is a collaborative network of program providers and community stakeholders. This group will work together to create a community that is college and career ready by leveraging the expertise of a network of families, schools, business leaders, community advocates and service providers to support the lifelong success of families and youth in the Community District.
Collective impact – an approach based on the premise that no single organization can affect large-scale, lasting social change alone – helps organizations tackle systemic problems by creating a centralized infrastructure, allocating staff and developing a process marked by five characteristics: a common agenda, shared measurement systems, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication and systems-level coordination. In education reform, the strategy has proved successful, boosting the number of children adequately prepared for kindergarten, reading and math scores, and high school graduation rates.
“South Bronx Rising Together is an important community based initiative that will increase opportunities for children and families in the Claremont Village, Concourse Village, and Morrisania communities in the Bronx by creating an education and employment pipeline for local residents. I appreciate JPMorgan Chase’s support for this effort, and Phipps Neighborhoods and Children’s Aid Society for taking the lead in this valuable work,” said Bronx Councilwoman Vanessa L. Gibson.
With this funding, Children’s Aid and Phipps Neighborhoods will partner to leverage their resources and those from different sectors in the Bronx, which include city government, schools, higher education and other education providers, youth development groups, community-based organizations, small business, housing developers and various employers. The initiative will mobilize any and all actors in the South Bronx with a stake in youth development, education, employment, wellness and the economic health of the community. To be successful, this group will work together to help achieve positive community change through shared goals and accountability.
“By addressing the issue of unemployment and economic development as part of their collective impact work, Phipps Neighborhoods and The Children’s Aid Society are embarking on innovative and unprecedented work for the Bronx,” said Gayle Jennings-O’Byrne, vice president, JPMorgan Chase Global Philanthropy. “This promises to be a model for other communities across the globe and we are excited by the new thinking, and the new model for partnering and addressing community issues.”
JPMorgan Chase Foundation will highlight its support for the partnership with messages at all 1,900 Chase Bank ATMs throughout New York City in May. The messages will promote the collaboration and instruct customers on how to get involved through committees, local forums and action plans.
About Phipps Neighborhoods
Phipps Neighborhoods helps children, youth, and families in low-income communities rise above poverty. We work in South Bronx neighborhoods where we can address the greatest barriers to lasting success through education and career programs, and access to community resources. We’re dedicated to our neighborhoods for the long term, supporting individuals and families as they establish self-sufficiency. Our services create opportunities for people to thrive in every aspect of their lives. For more information, contact Nancy Riedl at (646) 388-8355/ (917) 584-3440, email nriedl@phippsny.org or visit www.phippsny.org.
About The Children’s Aid Society
The Children’s Aid Society is an independent, not-for-profit organization established to serve the children of New York City. Our mission is to help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive supports to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Founded in 1853, it is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative non-sectarian agencies, serving New York’s neediest children. Services are provided in community schools, neighborhood centers, health clinics and camps. For additional information, please contact Anthony Ramos at (212) 949-4938/ (917) 204-8214, email anthonyr@childrensaidsociety.org or visit www.childrensaidsociety.org.
About JPMorgan Chase
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.4 trillion and operations worldwide. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers, small business and commercial banking, financial transaction processing, asset management and private equity. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of consumers in the United States and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.