Arjun’s Story

When Arjun joined SCO’s Individual Residential Alternatives program in 2014, his developmental disabilities and behavioral challenges greatly impacted his ability to function. They were so severe that he could not be in crowds, public spaces, and was unable to socialize. There were times when Arjun would refuse to eat meals with his housemates.

With the help and dedication of SCO’s staff, a plan was developed to help Arjun address these challenges and work towards achieving his goals. Last summer, Arjun attended the YMCA Camp Huguenot with his peers where he had a blast doing a variety of activities such as archery, rock climbing and canoeing. The fun did not stop there! After the camping trip, Arjun took a major step forward and drove to Battery Park with his sister and aunt. He entered the car with no hesitation and walked the High Line, went for pizza and drove around Manhattan with his family where he showed almost zero signs of anxiety.

Today, Arjun attends SCO’s community habilitation, partakes in various activities such as volunteering at canned food drives, delivering food to elderly adults, going to the bowling alley, and going to the local church’s gym to play basketball and soccer. Arjun spends quality time with his peers and he is now able to enjoy going out and be among his friends and family. He is also taking road-trips with his parents to Virginia and going on camping trips with his housemates without having anxiety.

Arjun’s breakthrough is the definition of a success story! He continues to thrive, and we are sure that Arjun will continue to work towards more independence and integration into his community.

 

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

  • 97% of children in our Early Childhood Centers met or exceeded national literacy performance standards
  • 3 out of 4 graduates in our transfer high schools for struggling students were accepted into college
  • 96% of 12th graders in SCO’s Family Foster Care program graduated from high school last year, with 65% enrolled in post-secondary education
  • 93% of graduates at SCO’s high school for over-age, under credited students received a NYS Regent’s diploma

Work

  • 83% of runaway and homeless youth discharged from our shelters are engaged in education or work
  • 4 out of 5 runaway or homeless youth leaving our transitional living program are engaged in educational pursuits or gainful employment
  • 82% of students in our residential school for youth with high-functioning autism are actively involved in weekly internships in the community
  • 368 participants in our Youth Adult Workforce Program at Rikers Island completed our program to become licensed drivers to improve their employability

Well-being

  • 99% of at-risk families throughout Brooklyn and Queens remained together and stable with family support services
  • 100% of participants in our award-winning Father’s Program met their goals by improving their relationship with their children, financial commitment to their children, and/or connecting to essential services
  • 85% of children with complex behavioral health needs discharged from SCO’s Bridges to Health program are successfully living at home and in the community, averting the need for more restrictive institutional care
  • 3 new locations for our Day Habilitation program are helping 40% more adults with developmental disabilities attain higher levels of socialization and independence
  • 247 children left foster care
    • 60% were reunified with their families who worked hard preparing for their return home
    • 25% who could not return home were adopted by loving forever families
    • 15% were successfully put on the path to independent living

In FY 2018, SCO:

  • Sheltered 5,500 youth, adults and children experiencing homelessness
  • Helped 2,200 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 1,600 young children for kindergarten in our early childhood programs
  • Served 1,400 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

New Yorkers Served in FY 2018

Arjun’s Story

Individual Residential Alternatives

With the help and dedication of SCO’s staff, a plan was developed to help Arjun address his challenges and work towards achieving his goals. Learn More

H. Craig Treiber

"The diversity and impact of the services provided make me proud to support the organization.” Learn More

Last year,

106

children were adopted by loving forever families

3

new locations for our Day Habilitation program are helping 40% more adults with developmental disabilities attain higher levels of socialization and independence