Alayah’s Story

Alayah was always curious. When she saw something, she wouldn’t just take it at face value. She wanted to learn more. “How does that work?” “Why did that happen?” “What makes it do that?”

Her inquisitive nature was one of the traits that made her such a good student. She loves to learn and always has.

Growing up in Philadelphia, Alayah was at the top of her class. When she moved to New York, however, she risked having to repeat her junior year because some of her credits did not transfer.

Determined to graduate on time with her class, Alayah transferred to SCO’s East Brooklyn Community High School (EBCHS.) East Brooklyn is a transfer high school in partnership with SCO Family of Services and the New York City Department of Education. Students there can earn credits at an accelerated rate, so Alayah was able to earn her remaining junior credits and all of her senior credits in the same academic year.

Upon her arrival at EBCHS, Alayah had one goal: Go to college. She wanted to be the first in her family to go to college and she was determined to make it happen.

n the Spring of her senior year, Alayah’s EBCHS Advocate Counselor told her about a college scholarship available through Garden of Dreams, the Inspire Scholarship, and it’s substantial – $40,000 ($10,000 per year for four years) and a brand-new MacBook.

The Garden of Dreams Foundation is a non-profit organization that works with MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports to bring life-changing opportunities to young people in need. SCO Family of Services is one of their partner organizations.

When Alayah learned about the Garden of Dreams Inspire Scholarship, she jumped at the opportunity to apply. With a little help from her English teacher and a letter of recommendation from the EBCHS School Director, Alayah submitted her application.

Immersed in finishing out her senior year and applying to a myriad of colleges, Alayah received an email that she received a Garden of Dreams Inspire Scholarship! It was, in her words, an “Oh, my God! What a relief!” moment.

It really should come as no surprise. Her insatiable desire for knowledge made her the perfect candidate.

Alayah’s drive to go to college paid off. She was accepted into 16 colleges. Sixteen! In the end, Alayah chose North Carolina A&T University. It’s an excellent school and the people she talked to had great things to say about it.

Alayah plans to Major in Biology on the Pre-Med track, with a Minor in Psychology. She’d love to get into a top medical school and become a surgeon one day. She grew up helping to take care of people. It’s in her blood.

Alayah has set her goals high, but with her talent, drive and determination, she’s destined to achieve them all.

Congratulations, Alayah!

Team

Executive Staff | Board

Keith M. Little
Executive Director

Keith Little was appointed Executive Director of SCO Family of Services on January 1, 2018. In this role, he assumes oversight of the agency’s extensive continuum of residential and community-based child welfare, early childhood, youth development, family support, special needs, and homeless services. Keith joined SCO in September 2017 as Deputy Executive Director.

A hands-on leader with over 30 years of experience at state, city, and nonprofit organizations, Mr. Little brings considerable expertise in the provision of mental health, health care, child welfare, and juvenile justice programs. He has been a tireless advocate for children, youth, and families throughout the metropolitan area.

Keith joins SCO from his recent position as Executive Director at Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families, where he was credited with building organizational capacity, external collaborations, and financial sustainability. He has held senior organizational and program leadership positions at the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) for two decades. He last served as Associate Commissioner and Deputy Director at OMH, where he was responsible for the direction and oversight of State Operations, including 13 statewide child and adolescent psychiatric centers/units; the coordination of state-local services via regional OMH field offices; and oversight of Division State Operations budget and spending plans.

His vast experience includes posts at the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services and the New York City Department of Health. Keith earned an MPA from Baruch College, City University of New York, and a bachelor’s degree from University of Bridgeport. He currently sits on the Boards of Directors of COFCCA and the Collaboration of Children and Families (CCF), the Priority and Strategy Council for the Human Services Council, and is a lead member of the Black Agency Executives.