SCO News
Congratulations Andrei Williams-Hanna!
September 2, 2014 / Independent Youth News
For Andrei Williams-Hanna, an 18-year-old living in one of SCO’s LGBTQ group homes, there was never any question that he would go to college; his goal is to become a cardiologist. But Andrei, a native of Jamaica, needed help to pay for tuition. He was understandably devastated by the news that he had not been awarded any of the college scholarships for which he applied. He asked if he could give up his clothing allowance to offset the cost of tuition. “In all these disappointments, he never lost his cool, never made a scene and never got angry,” said SCO Transitional Specialist Zuleika Almanzar. Instead, Andrei remained focused, going on every possible program outing in hopes of meeting someone who could direct him toward a potential funding source. With the help of Almanzar and SCO LGBTQ Program Therapist Lili Glauber, he pursued every available lead.
Read MoreCFL’s “Life Lines” Visual Arts Troupe “Capturing Memories” in New Mural
August 27, 2014 / Independent Youth News
Center for Family Life's “Life Lines” Visual Arts Troupe had the opportunity to present a piece of artwork at the Dedalus Foundation Gallery in Sunset Park’s Industry City on August 14th. High school students worked collaboratively to research ideas, draft images and ultimately create the 8' x 4' canvas mural, which depicts a family looking out over Sunset from the vantage point of the park. The mural, titled “Capturing Memories,” depicts students, their families and images along the horizon, representing the Sunset Park community. “The park symbolizes family, togetherness and memories,” said Stephanie Yu, one of the students. “Sunset Park is a tight-knit community and the mural was created to represent that closeness.”
Read MoreMadonna Heights Ladies Golf & Dinner Classic A Big Success!
August 12, 2014 / Independent Youth News
More than 100 supporters hit the greens this week for the 34th Annual Madonna Heights Ladies Golf & Dinner Classic at Huntington Crescent Country Club. The event, which honored Kathy Sullivan, former Director of Development at Madonna Heights, raises funds to support our Madonna Heights programs for teens, women, children…
Read MoreGovernor Cuomo Awards SCO Grant for After-School Programs
July 18, 2014 / Independent Youth News
We're thrilled to be among the organizations awarded funding by Governor Cuomo for after-school programming in the 2014/2015 school year. The grant will help SCO continue to provide quality after-school programming for youth as part of our community school programs in Brooklyn. Read the full press release from the Governor Cuomo's Office below:
Read MoreFun in the Sun at SCO — Summer 2014
July 14, 2014 / Independent Youth News
Summer is in full swing across SCO. Check out highlights from a few of our programs below. Children at the Jerome Hardeman Early Childhood Education Center in East Elmhurst, Queens ham it up for the camera while playing on the center's rooftop playground.
Read MoreCongrats 2014 SCO Grads!
June 24, 2014 / Independent Youth News
Each year, SCO's alternative, residential and special education schools educate 1,100 youth. This month, we are proud to celebrate our June 2014 graduates, the academic achievements of all of our students, and the dedicated staff who help them succeed. Congratulations to students and staff at our three transfer high schools (Bronx Arena High School, East Brooklyn Community High School and North Queens Community High School), Madonna Heights School, The Christopher School, Theresa Paplin School, Tyree Learning Center and Westbrook Preparatory School! Read highlights from each school below (or click the links above to jump to content).
Read MoreCongrats North Queens Community High School student Rumena Begum
June 16, 2014 / Independent Youth News
“I feel so accomplished. I made it. It’s a happy feeling,” says Rumena Begum, who will graduate from SCO’s North Queens Community High School upon passing her final two Regents exams. Rumena has earned the right to be happy. Not long ago, graduating seemed nearly impossible: After two years of high school, she had earned a grand total of just two credits. Forty-four are needed to graduate. At her old school, Rumena started cutting classes to spend time with her friends. Her attendance was poor. At the pace she was going, she risked not graduating. Then she came to North Queens.
Read MoreCongrats East Brooklyn Community High School grad Darren Scott
June 16, 2014 / Independent Youth News
On a recent visit to East Brooklyn Community High School where he graduated in December, Darren Scott, 19, was greeted with hugs and high fives from students and staff. He had become a real leader in the school since arriving in September 2012. In his former high school, Darren got into frequent trouble – fighting, cutting class, being disrespectful to teachers. One day, Darren’s SCO Family of Services foster care caseworker, Eric Turner, told him about East Brooklyn Community High School, a transfer school run by SCO and the NYC Department of Education. Eric described a school that gives kids like Darren a second chance - a smaller school with a caring staff that gives students who are struggling the opportunity to earn credits faster.
Read MoreCongrats Bronx Arena High School grad Annette Hankins
June 16, 2014 / Independent Youth News
Bronx Arena High School student Annette Hankins will walk across the stage on June 26th to accept her diploma, an astonishing accomplishment. At age 20, Annette lives in an apartment in Soundview with her fiancé, Jason, son Tayvon (4), and daughter Neveah (2) - and she is pregnant with their third child, due in August. Completing high school while pregnant with two young children would be difficult for most people, impossible for some. But Annette turned her responsibilities into motivation. “It’s not about me, it’s about my kids,” she explained. “I wanted more for them. I wanted them to have what they needed. I knew education was the key.”
Read MoreTwo teens served by SCO earn top honors at 16th Annual Awards for Youth in Foster Care
June 9, 2014 / Independent Youth News
Christopher Sanchez and Domonique Wheeler, two teens in foster care living in SCO group homes, were among the 15 young people honored at the 16th Annual essay Awards for Youth in Foster Care, presented by Youth Communication and Represent: The Voice of Youth in Care magazine. Christopher Sanchez, 19, was the Grand Prize winner and won a $1,000 scholarship for his essay titled “Turning My Life Around.” Domonique Wheeler, 20, earned Special First Prize honors and a $700 scholarship check for her essay, “For His Own Good.”
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