Selena’s Story

Selena first came to SCO’s Scattered Site Supportive Housing Program, in August 2017. This program provides housing and transitional services for young adults who have been in foster care and are at-risk of homelessness. Selena, who had been in foster care since age 9, was dealing with a lot of family and personal issues. She was feeling frustrated and depressed. The tipping point came when her biological father passed away.

As a way to help cope with her loss, Selena decided to write a book about her experience. She hoped sharing her experience might inspire others…turning her personal tragedy into something positive. Ever resourceful, Selena wrote her entire book on her cell phone and uploaded it onto Amazon where it is currently sold as a Kindle format e-book.

Selena’s entrepreneurial spirit had been unleashed. Following her book, Selena developed her own podcast where she talks about life issues and how she has dealt with them in the hopes of motivating others. Since establishing her podcast last year, she has attracted over 20,000 followers worldwide.

She didn’t stop there. Selena then decided that she wanted to sell merchandise with inspirational messages. She started her own online t-shirt company – printing, packaging and shipping orders out of her apartment.

Selena has found her calling. She has found healing through sharing her story and inspiring others and she has experienced personal growth in the process.

SCO staff are encouraging her to utilize her abilities and resilience to pursue her education. In doing so, Selena will be able to use her knowledge to promote and expand her budding enterprises and find other employment opportunities to help her as she transitions to independent living.

Long Island City Early Childhood Programs – Register Today!

SCO helps get children off to a healthy start with center- and home-based programs for young families. Our Early Childhood Education Center, located at 38-11 27th Street in Long Island City, has immediate openings! We offer high quality, full day instruction onsite. Our programs support English and dual-language learners, and children with IEPs. Our warm and welcoming programs encourage families to become active partners in their child’s academic growth and language development.

Program Highlights

  • Year-round, full day 3K, Pre-K, and extended day options
  • Free or low-cost child care for eligible families
  • Enhanced safety measures including daily health screenings and temperature checks
  • Literacy and math activities prepare children for success in kindergarten
  • Outdoor play space, plus art, music, and drama
  • Healthy breakfast, lunch, and snacks
  • NYS Certified Teachers

Want to learn more? Complete the form below

 

Programs in Queens

Long Island City Early Childhood Center: 38-11 27th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101

Year-round, full-day Pre-K that focuses on healthy development and prepares children for success in school. Learn more»

 

 

Corona UPK: 33-27 97th Street, Corona, NY 11368

Year-round, full-day Pre-K that focuses on healthy development and prepares children for success in school. Learn more»

 

 

Jerome Hardeman Early Childhood Center: 29-49 Gillmore Street, East Elmhurst, NY 11369

The Jerome Hardeman Early Childhood Center offers a year-round, full-day academic program in a safe and engaging environment for children ages 2.9 months to 5 years of age, including UPK. Learn more»

 

 

Family Child Care Networks

In-home child care providers in East Elmhurst, Corona, Jackson Heights, Flushing, Rego Park, and Forest Hills offer families with infants, toddlers and preschoolers a full day, year-round program that fosters healthy development and learning. Learn more»

 

 

Carlos’ Story

Carlos (pronoun they, their, them) is an amazing youth who was placed in SCO’s Family Foster Care program over 10 years ago. Carlos has undergone several hardships in their young life, however, they are a resilient youth who has remained focused on their schoolwork. Carlos graduated high school with high… Learn More

Selena’s Story

Creating Opportunities

Selena has found her calling. She has found healing through sharing her story and inspiring others and she has experienced personal growth in the process. Learn More

We provide

14,000

families and individuals with support services and community activities

93%

of adults with developmental disabilities living in SCO’s IRAs (group homes) made meaningful connections by participating in community inclusion activities

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