Daniel’s Story

At 24, Daniel has overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. Born with developmental disabilities, behavioral health issues, and addicted to drugs, Daniel entered foster care as an infant. He was adopted as a toddler by a loving mother who tragically passed away just a few years later. Daniel’s aunt cared for him until his needs eventually became too difficult for her to manage on her own. That’s when he was introduced to SCO.

When he was 15, Daniel came to SCO’s Extraordinary Needs group home, where specially-trained staff provide care, guidance, and a home-like experience for adolescents with developmental disabilities. At first, Daniel was reserved and had trouble communicating. But as time went on, Daniel gained confidence and found his voice – literally – while attending singing and performance workshops. Daniel

Since then, his progress has been nothing short of remarkable. Daniel is now able to talk and has become quite the social butterfly. He loves to bowl, watch Jeopardy, and engage in community activities. A budding diplomat (and Mets fan), he even attended a Yankees game with his housemates, although he refused to cheer.

Daniel is open and honest and has become a model resident. He’s a meticulous dresser who always puts his best foot forward. “That’s how we do it at SCO,” he says. Often referred to as the mayor of the house, Daniel keeps track of everything and everyone, advocating for himself and his peers.

As Daniel transitions to adulthood, SCO remains by his side with the supports he needs for a bright future. Last year, Daniel moved into a new SCO Individual Residential Alternative (IRA), a residence designed specifically for adults with challenges like his. Here Daniel continues to receive services, supports, and encouragement to live a full and independent life. New routines, new friends, and new adventures lay in store for Daniel, who is navigating his new surroundings like a pro.

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.

Resources for Families

Educational Resources

Dial-a-Teacher or call 212-777-3380
Supplemental Remote Learning Resources
Early Childhood Learning Resources
The Math Learning Center 

Remote Learning Resources

12 Best Coding Tools & Resources for Kids While Learning From Home
Adobe – a resource hub for education with free templates, links to free software (including Adobe Acrobat, Sign, and tools for Google Drive), and videos with instructions for how to use the programs.
bartleby – a free digital self-tutoring and writing service available to college students. Students can ask homework questions, which subject-matter experts will answer, or post a paper to have grammar and spelling checked.
Blackboard offers the File Transformer, a free resource enabling students to convert digital course content into alternative formats, to meet their unique learning needs and preferences. Blackboard Ally, the new resource lets students personalize their learning experience and choose from several format types (PDF, DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX, and HTML) to work better with mobile devices, assistive technologies, and study tools.
Canva for Education is offering teachers forever-free access to the pro edition of its online design platform. Students can create and co-create presentations, infographics, websites, reports, worksheets, posters, flyers, and signage.
Code with Google provides free lessons, to help students pick up computer science skills.
Good Calculators is providing a variety of free online calculators, to do math and statistics, engineering and conversions.
Hallo is offering a free app to help students practice English. Students can learn from native speakers through live videos 24/7 and practice speaking in seconds with people all around the world.

Educational and Online Activities

Best Virtual Tours in Ireland – 7 amazing tours around the country.
Parks@HomeDr. – Experts bringing all the secrets of the outdoors right to your doorstep.
Hogwarts Digital Escape Room
Explore Virtual NYC – recorded performances, digitized exhibitions, social media gatherings, and virtual tours – from museums, galleries, comedy clubs, theaters, and other venues all over the City.
Storyline Online – a fun website where professional actors read popular picture books aloud.
Storynory.com – Bible stories, King Arthur, Saints, Robin Hood – and stories that enhance vocabulary.
Education.com – First Grade Phonics Games
Bronx Zoo Virtual zoo – bringing the animals to you!
Garden of Dreams Enjoy virtual and interactive content from Garden of Dreams, New York Rangers, New York Knicks, the Rockettes, MSG Entertainment, MSG Networks, and more.
Arts & Culture Virtually visit 500+ museums and art galleries around the world.
At Home Art-Making Activities for Families – Drawing, collage, audio and movement activities inspired by artworks in the MOMA collection.
Children’s Museum of the Arts LIVE! Interactive sing-alongs, create your own artwork, creative movement, and more.
Community Conversations A facilitator, chosen by your group, leads a conversation for 8-20 participants using training and materials supplied by Humanities New York.
Cosmic Kids Zoga Yoga, mindfulness, and relationship for kids 3+.
Go Noodle Kid-friendly videos to get your kids up and moving around.
Metropolitan Museum of Art Virtual events for all audiences including storytelling, live performances, film screenings, art-making programs, and more!
Mets Amazin’ Activities  The NY Mets have created some fun puzzles and games for your kids including the Mets Activity Book and Goodbye, Germs!
Monterey Bay Aquarium Live stream of different aquarium exhibits.
Mystery Science Free, easy science for remote learning.
National Geographic Kids Interactive, engaging and colorful games, videos, and more.
New York Hall of Science Free, fun, at-home STEM activities including The Pack – STEM-based video game
Road Trip from Home Explore different parts of the world, famous landmarks, beautiful works of art, historic marvels, science adventures and more!
Safari Tour Ride along on a live safari.
San Diego Zoo Tour the San Diego Zoo.
Scholastic Learn at Home Keep the learning going with four daily learning experiences, each built around a meaningful story or video.
Virtual Field Trips A list of virtual trips you can take to zoos, museums, and parks.
Yellowstone National Park Take a virtual tour of Yellowstone National Park.

Recreational Activities

Community Tennis Program – youth ages 5-18 receive free tennis instruction from trained coaches in schools and public parks in all 51 New York City council districts year-round.
Bike New York – Bike New York offers classes and programs designed to provide young people with the skills and experiences they’ll need to enjoy the benefits of biking. Every Youth class is free and open to the public with bikes provided.

Home Activity Ideas

250 Things to Do at Home
Things to Do at Home with Kids
28 Indoor Activities for Kids
101 Ideas to Keep Kids Busy

Housing

Home Energy Assistance (HEAP) – the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance announced funding to eligible New Yorkers facing home heating emergencies. Additional information can be found here.

Financial Resources

SNAP, Cash Assistance, Medicaid, and Fair Fares Online
Unemployment Insurance
File a New Unemployment Claim
HelpNowNYC
Medicare COVID Guide
MOPD COVID-19 Resources for People with Disabilities
During this crisis, HRA will take no negative case actions on any current benefits case
NYS Department of Labor is waiving the seven-day wait period for unemployment insurance benefits.
Free legal advice to unemployed low-wage workers trying to access UI benefits.
NYC is updating a list of resources for those who are unemployed.
All NYS debt collection has been suspended per the order of the Governor. This is debt owed to New York State only. New Yorkers with student debt, medical debt & other state-referred debt will have payments frozen for at least 30 days.

Food

Summer Meals NY – kids and teens ages 18 and under can get free, healthy meals at nearby places like parks, community centers, and libraries. Meals vary, but all include healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, grains and protein. Many sites offer fun activities, too. There is no need to sign up. Just show up!
Health Bucks – New Yorkers who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free locally-grown fruits and vegetables through the Health Bucks program. Health Bucks are $2 coupons redeemable for fresh fruits and vegetables at all NYC farmers markets. The New SNAP incentive level for 2021 is: For every $2 spent in SNAP benefits at NYC farmers markets, shoppers get $2 in Health Bucks up to $10 per day all year round. To find an NYC farmers market by zip code, text “sogood” to 877-877.

Get the Good Stuff – New Yorkers who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free fruits, vegetables and beans through Get the Good Stuff, at certain supermarkets in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. For every $1 spent in SNAP benefits on eligible fruits, vegetables and beans, shoppers get $1 added to a pink Get the Good Stuff card (up to $10 per day) to spend on their next purchase of eligible foods including:

  • Fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs
  • Frozen and canned fruits, vegetables, and beans without added sugar, salt, or fat
  • Dried beans and lentils

Customers with SNAP can enroll in the program by visiting the customer service desk at a participating supermarket. See here for a list of participating supermarkets.NYC is delivering food for those who are home-bound and have no other alternatives
Available food resources by many neighborhoods, updated every couple of days
Apply for SNAP online
NYPL compiled a list of food resources outside and inside the home
Plentiful – A website and app that lists many of the pantries in NYC and lets people make appointments for food pick-ups with those pantries that participate
Food Hub NYC – Food resources for children
NYC DOE – Food resources for students
Access NYC – Get Emergency Food Now
Invisible Hands Deliver – A group of healthy volunteers from communities at the least risk for severe COVID-19 reactions working to bring groceries and supplies to those in high-risk demographics

Food Bank NYC – Updated map of pantries operating right now

Help Running Errands/Mutual Aid

Mutual Aid NYC
Mutual Aid Groups (national)

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Hotline

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. Applications begin on April 12, 2021.

Help for Small Businesses

Financial assistance from the city
Start Small Think Big

Additional Resources

“Coping through COVID” – NYC Administration for Children Services listing of resources available to families – including information about food pantries, free WiFi, housing assistance, and more.
Bereavement Counseling – American Red Cross program to support those who have lost a loved one due to COVID-19.

New York State of Health – Health Insurance Enrollment 

Uninsured individuals can still sign up for health insurance through the New York State of Health website. There are new subsidies included in the American Rescue Plan that make Obamacare more affordable than ever. More information, fact sheets, and the FAQ in various languages can be found on the New York State of Health website.

Daniel’s Story

Finding his voice - literally - at SCO's residence for adults with developmental disabilities

Read Daniel’s Story

Shana’s Story

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

Read Shana’s Story

91%

of babies in our Nurse Family Partnership were current with immunizations at 24 months

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