Shalini’s Story

Shalini is a young woman who knows exactly where she’s headed. A chance experience tutoring young children as a high school student while in SCO’s foster care program ignited her passion for teaching, and now guides her every step.

With a razor-sharp focus on achieving her goals, Shalini has mapped out her immediate and long-term plans. First, she’ll graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree in early education. And then it’s off to graduate school to earn her master’s in teaching. A few years ago, these might have been considered lofty goals, but with the right supports in place, Shalini is well on her way.

Shalini was placed in SCO’s Foster Care program after the death of her father 9 years ago. While safe and well-cared for by her foster family, she was angry and worried about the future. “I needed a team to support me and advise me, and give me the right tools to succeed,” she reflects.

And a team is exactly what she received. SCO provided the resources, services, and guidance she needed to become her best self. During high school, a team of education and mental health specialists helped Shalini overcome obstacles and helped her to realize she “did not have to transition to adulthood alone.” She participated in mentoring programs, made new connections, and built relationships with other young adults in care. As her confidence grew, Shalini began tutoring children from a nearby elementary school as part of her program with SCO. That was the “aha” moment that shaped her future. She fell in love with teaching!

When it was time for college, SCO’s staff helped Shalini complete applications, navigate financial aid, and apply to the Dorm Project, which enables her to live in a college dorm all year round. Her SCO coach remains a constant presence and is even helping Shalini work towards getting a driver’s license.

Today, Shalini is a rising junior at Hunter College, and we have no doubt she will achieve all she sets out to accomplish.

2014 Art Auction A Great Success

The 4th Annual SCO Family Dynamics Art Auction was a huge success! Thanks to our wonderful supporters and all the artists who donated their work, last night’s benefit raised a record amount and will help us to expand after-school arts programming in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick and Brownsville. Thanks, everyone!

4th Annual SCO Family Dynamics Art Auction A Great Success

The 4th Annual SCO/Family Dynamics Art Auction on April 28th was the most successful yet, raising funds to support and expand the after-school art program for children at MS 35 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

“New Knowledge,” a painting featuring the neon palate and wildly inventive architecture of Williamsburg artist Erik Parker, won the largest bid. The benefit, held at Site 109 on the Lower East Side, drew 200 attendees who participated in a live and silent auction including works by artists Robert Szot, Ron Diorio Ron Agam, Ryan Keeley, Jim Plunkett and Dan Rizzie, all of whom donated their work. The children in the art program created and donated “Carousel Horse Collage” representing one of the horses on Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

“We are very grateful to everyone who supports our programs,” said SCO Executive Director Gail Nayowith. “Thanks to all of you, our children at Family Dynamics are getting a rich exposure to creativity, a critical doorway to dreaming and self-expression.” According to a recent report by Comptroller Scott Stringer, 28% of public schools lack an art teacher – and half those schools are in Central Brooklyn and the South Bronx.

Erik Parker was this year’s Honorary Chair; previous honorary chairs for the Auction have included Julian Schnabel in 2011, Dustin Yellin in 2012 and Donald Sultan in 2013. The event was co-chaired by Jeremy FitzGerald and Joni Grossman.

Family Dynamics, a program of SCO Family of Services, is committed to protecting children and strengthening families. Based in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick, and Brownsville, Brooklyn, Family Dynamics annually reaches 7,000 children, youth and adults with after-school & summer school activities, workforce readiness, family support services and the arts. Some 100 students now attend the after-school art program and Family Dynamics plans to expand the number served by 75 in the next school year.

About Our Visiting Artist Program