SCO News
SCO Queens Single Stop 411 Day
September 25, 2014 / SCO News
Community organizations and local leaders gathered in Corona, Queens September 24th for SCO Queens Single Stop 411 Day to learn and share information about the services available to area residents. Thanks to Friends of Corona Plaza, The Legal Aid Society, Make the Road New York, MetroPlus, and The Samaritan Village Supportive Services for Veterans Families Program for partnering with us to hold such a successful, informative event.
Read MoreJoin us for our 2014 Family Dynamics’ Youth Mentoring Program Fundraiser, Sponsored by Four Roses Bourbon
September 22, 2014 / SCO News
Venue: Gilded Lily, 408 West 15th Street, New York, NY 10011 Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014 Time: 8pm-11pm Hosts: James Maher, Katie Koh, Matt Sussman, Jeremy Harper.. and more!! Tickets: $100 Includes open bar and light fare. The Family Dynamics’ Youth Mentoring Program matches youth ages 7-12 with young professionals – all volunteers – who act as mentors and role models throughout the year. The youth and their mentors took a number of exciting trips this year including visits to Luna Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn Bowl, the American Museum of Natural History and Wollman Rink for ice skating in Central Park. Proceeds from the October 23, 2014 fundraiser will support the Family Dynamics’ Youth Mentoring Program's annual activities.
Read MoreCalling All Community Based Organizations: Learn More About the NYC Worker Cooperative Development Initiative
September 22, 2014 / SCO News
SCO Family of Services’ Center for Family Life (CFL) has been incubating worker cooperatives in Sunset Park, Brooklyn for the past eight years. We have seen how our work has helped empower our community by supporting cooperative members in their quest for fair wages and dignified employment…
Read MoreNourishing body & soul at Madonna Heights’ Café Believe
September 18, 2014 / Independent Youth News
Homemade breakfast burritos, chocolate chip pancakes and strawberry smoothies served at a five-star table setting…Thursday morning breakfasts haven’t been the same since Café Believe opened at our Madonna Heights Residence in December 2012. What began as a challenge for the overnight staff to create an incentive for residents to complete their morning routines, has turned into a wonderful weekly homemade breakfast prepared and served to the residents by the overnight staff in a cozy campus kitchen.
Read MoreSCO celebrates “Dads Take Your Child to School Day”
September 16, 2014 / SCO News
Fathers were the focus at our early childhood centers today during “Dads Take Your Child to School Day” – highlighting the important role fathers play in their children’s lives and education. “I took time off this morning to come here with my daughter,” said one dad named Steven. “It’s important for us to spend quality time together.”
Read MoreSCO Celebrates 25th Annual Treiber Memorial Golf Open
September 9, 2014 / SCO News
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the SCO Family of Services' Howard F. Treiber Memorial Golf Outing, hundreds of SCO supporters turned out Monday to golf, socialize with old friends and dine beach-side at The Creek. The event took place September 8, 2014, beginning with brunch and shotgun tee offs at Meadow Brook Club in Jericho, NY and The Creek Club in Locust Valley, NY.
Read MoreCFL & Golden Steps meet with City Council Speaker’s office
September 5, 2014 / SCO News
SCO's Center for Family Life and members of the "Golden Steps" worker cooperative met Thursday with staff from City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito's office to discuss CFL's implementation of initiatives funded by the Council for FY15 to incubate worker cooperatives in low-income NYC neighborhoods and develop new cooperatives in Brooklyn's immigrant communities.
Read MoreSCO Goes Back to School
September 4, 2014 / Independent Youth News
There was laughter, a few tears and a lot of excitement this week across SCO Family of Services’ schools in New York City and on Long Island as some 1,300 children began a new academic year at SCO’s four Early Childhood Education Centers, three transfer high schools in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, and five residential and special education schools in Queens, the Bronx and on Long Island.
Read MoreCongratulations 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 MoreOPWDD Field Day/BBQ
August 21, 2014 / SCO News
It was Field Day in Jamaica, Queens yesterday for the residents and staff of our homes for adults with developmental disabilities in Brooklyn and Queens. Tug-of-war, relay races, water fights and even few pies in a few faces made for a fun, festive atmosphere on a picture-perfect day. “We wanted to get everyone together out in the community to enjoy themselves outside of their normal routines,” said Program Manager Michael Spivey, who helped organize this first ever event. “This is like our extended SCO family.”
Read MoreSCO Employee and Self-Advocate Shawn Nitz Honors NYS Assemblymember Harvey Weisenberg
August 18, 2014 / SCO News
The Alliance of Long Island Agencies, Interagency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies, Cerebral Palsy Associations of NYS and NYSARC hosted an event August 12, 2014 in Melville, NY, honoring NYS Assemblymember Harvey Weisenberg for his years of advocacy for people with developmental disabilities. Shawn Nitz – who is both an SCO employee and an individual who receives services from SCO, as well as a strong self-advocate – made the first presentation on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities. "Shawn did an outstanding job and presented like a pro!" said Susan Moran, Assistant Executive Director of Program Services for SCO. Here is his statement:
Read MoreSCO’s Center for Family Life Celebrates a Summer of Service
August 12, 2014 / SCO News
On August 7, the 64th Street Community Garden welcomed elementary school students from PS 503 and 506 to celebrate the conclusion of Center for Family Life’s 2014 DYCD Summer of Service program. For the past four years, the Summer of Service program has engaged youth and parents by creating opportunities for family members to get involved by harvesting crops and participating in learning activities that promote healthy nutrition and support a vibrant outdoor life.
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 More
85%
of residents in our group homes for adults with developmental disabilities attended Day Habilitation and receive vocational services
88%
of young adults in foster care (18+) are enrolled in school or working