Kelly’s Story

Kelly lives on a quiet tree-lined street with her husband, two sons, and an energetic puppy named Molly. Life is pretty good these days. In her own words, she has a decent job, a home, a car, and a supportive family – all things she never thought possible before entering SCO’s Morning Star residential program for women recovering from substance use.

Since the age of 13, Kelly had been hooked on alcohol. For the next 10 years, she struggled with severe alcoholism, heroin addiction, and all the terrible symptoms that go along with that. She tried every which way to control her use but failed over and over again. Institutions, hospitals, and psychiatric facilities became a normal part of life. At the age of 23, Kelly realized she was running out of options. She had no place to live, was unemployable, and had no way to provide for herself or her 4-year-old son, Joseph. That’s when she found SCO.

Kelly was 35 days sober for the first time in her adult life when she entered SCO’s residential program. This would be the first of many pivotal firsts. While in program, she learned about accountability and structure. She was introduced to Alcoholics Anonymous and attended off site treatment programs. She felt supported and heard by the women and staff at Morning Star and thrived in this environment.

Little by little, Kelly rebuilt her life. With the help of vocational counselors, she returned to school, received her high school diploma, and took clerical courses. She was thrilled when Joseph came to live with her on campus, working with SCO’s coaches and childcare team to hone her parenting skills. And she addressed her past traumas head on with mental health counseling at SCO’s Family Services Clinic.

Kelly credits her time in Morning Star as life-changing. She has been gainfully employed since leaving the program in 2012 and now works for a successful law firm. She found her soulmate in Rob and was married in 2015, and expanded her family with another son, Aidan, a few years later. She likes to say she is a work in progress – and we know there are plenty of firsts still ahead for Kelly.

Ryan’s Story

At 7 years old, Ryan was removed from his mother’s home and placed in SCO’s Foster Care program. Options for exploring his interests and creativity were limited. But that all changed for Ryan when his mentor at SCO encouraged and empowered him to pursue his dreams.

This mentorship broadened Ryan’s world and opened doors to opportunities. He discovered his abilities and strengths, nurtured a love for science, and developed his networking skills. Today, Ryan is proud to pay his experience forward by mentoring, encouraging, and guiding younger children at SCO.

Ryan is now a sophomore majoring in Biology at Jamestown Community College. SCO assisted him with transportation, college applications, and opportunities for financial aid to help him fulfill his potential and continue his education.

“Thank you for investing in my future,” said Ryan. “There is so much I would not have been able to do without the care and support that I received from SCO Family of Services.”

First Step NYC

Early Childhood Education Center | Early Education Leadership Institute

Young girl holding up her painted hand from fingerpaintingFirstStepNYC is a new early childhood initiative that opened in the fall of 2013 in Brownsville, Brooklyn – a public-private partnership between the NYC Department of Education, the Administration for Children’s Services, SCO Family of Services and private philanthropy.  SCO operates the innovative new birth-5 early childhood center at P.S./I.S. 41.  In partnership with FirstStepNYC is The Early Education Leadership Institute to develop and support the work of current and future early childhood leaders.


The FirstStepNYC Early Childhood Center

Teacher kneeling while young students surround herOur FirstStepNYC Center offers:

Full day, year-round child care services

  • A welcoming classroom for children
  • Warm and highly qualified teachers
  • A place for children and families to grow and learn together to prepare for Kindergarten and beyond

To enroll, families must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Children must be 6-weeks to 4-years-old

  • Income guidelines must be met
  • Priority given to siblings of children already enrolled in PS/IS41 and children or siblings of children currently enrolled in an SCO program
  • Working and non-working families may be eligible

If you are interested in enrolling your child in FirstStepNYC , please contact us at 929-234-6870.

The Early Education Leadership InstituteTwo women talking about the book Corduroy

The Leadership Institute is designed to prepare and support current and future leaders to improve outcomes for all children and families by advancing quality and best practice in early education settings.

We believe that partnering with public and private entities to bring together and support leaders from across the five boroughs of New York City is the most effective way to increase quality in early education and lay the groundwork to strengthen the lives of our youngest children for future success.

For more information about the Leadership Institute, please email [email protected] with the subject Early Education Leadership Institute.

Kelly’s Story

A life rebuilt, with the help of Morning Star

Read Kelly’s Story

Ryan’s Story

Empowerment through mentorship

Read Ryan’s Story

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