Shana’s Story

I have been challenged with addiction for 10 years, and have been in and out of outpatient treatment and detox several times – but I would always relapse.

When I arrived at Morning Star, I was at the lowest point in my life. Things were spiraling out of control. My four children had been taken from me and placed in foster care with a family member. And then I learned that I was 5 months pregnant.

I arrived with the worst attitude in the world. I was just so angry all the time. But at Morning Star, I started to reflect and gain clarity. I realized that I was hurt and angry with myself. And that’s when the healing began. Everything had been a fight up to that point. But I had nowhere to run – I had to face my problems.

Morning Star helped save my life. They never gave up on me.

Every interaction with my counselor and every staff member helped prepare me to re-enter the world clean and ready to thrive.

I attended treatment 5 days a week, attended a medical assistant program, and became certified in a workforce development program for nontraditional roles for women. And I learned that I am worth it! From now on, I show up, set up, and remain teachable.

When my baby, Liliana, was born, I can’t express how much the onsite child care at Morning Star II helped in my recovery. It made it possible for me to go to treatment, attend school, and focus on me. The structure kept me accountable for being a parent and prepared e for the real world.

I knew I was finally on a path to a better life when I left Morning Star. The court saw the improvements in me, too, and my children came back home to me. I never thought that would happen. Today, thanks to Morning Star, I have a home and my family lives under one roof.

I still visit the program to let them know of my progress. My goal is to be fully self-supported. I know there will be obstacles ahead of me. But I am prepared to take it one day at a time.

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Our Impact

SCO is focused on providing the best care and services to help our clients succeed. We are with them every step of the way, helping to open doors to opportunities, gain access to resources, and improve the quality of their lives.

How do we measure success? Through their success in achieving their goals in three overarching areas: Learning, Work and Well-being.

Learning

  • 94% of students in our 5 preschools met or exceeded goals for social-emotional development
  • 94% of students at Westbrook Preparatory School passed the Regents exam on the first try
  • 87% of young adults in foster care (18+) are enrolled in school or working
  • 4 out of 5 young adults (21+) at our Residential Treatment Center for youth with developmental disabilities participate in Day Habilitation or are enrolled in school

Work

  • Our Center for Family Life connected 1,470 youth to summer work opportunities that generated over $2.1 million in earnings for youth and their families
  • 90% of clients at our Brooklyn Youth Center achieved their employment goals
  • 96% of students at our Westbury campus are working or interning in the community
  • 100% of eligible residents at our Madonna Heights Residential Treatment Facility participated in work, internship, or volunteer activities
  • 98% of the young adults in our Scattered Site Supportive Housing program were gainfully employed, engaged in school, or both

Well-being

  • 99% of at-risk families throughout Brooklyn and Queens remained together and stable with family support services
  • 96% of students at our Dix Hills campus participated in weekly wellness activities
  • 91% of women in our residential recovery program remained substance free

In FY 2019, SCO:

  • Sheltered 4,600 youth, adults and children experiencing homelessness
  • Helped 4,100 individuals with special needs develop skills to reach their full potential
  • Guided 9,900 children and teens on the path to academic success through after school, summer and work-readiness programs
  • Prepared 1,700 young children for kindergarten in our early childhood programs
  • Served 1,300 children and young adults in foster care and their families
  • Strengthened families and communities across the metro area, providing 24,000 New Yorkers with counseling, support and community-based services

Shana’s Story

Family First

Morning Star helped save my life. They never gave up on me. Learn More

Kaitlyn & Khamion

Early Education & Family Support Services

“I love this school. Sometimes I felt like giving up, but Kaitlyn was always my motivation.” Learn More

87%

of young adults in foster care (18+) are enrolled in school or working

Almost

90%

of clients at our Brooklyn Youth Center achieved their employment goals

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