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.

Alisson’s Story

Congratulations to Alisson, East Brooklyn Community High School’s 2024 Valedictorian!

Alisson has been a phenomenal student since arriving at East Brooklyn Community High School (EBCHS) in the fall of 2023. But her journey to academic excellence was not without a few bumps in the road.

Things were going well at her old school until her sophomore year, when Alisson no longer felt safe there. That led to attendance issues which, in turn, had a negative effect on her grades. Alisson didn’t want to continue her downward academic spiral, so she decided to make a change. A friend recommended EBCHS, so Alisson set up an interview.

East Brooklyn Community High School is a transfer high school. Run in partnership with the NYC Department of Education, transfer high schools combine quality academics with intensive support services to promote academic success. EBCHS is a smaller school (200 students) with small class sizes for more individualized attention. Advocate Counselors and Social Workers play a significant role in the school, helping students work through personal issues to be able to focus on their classes. East Brooklyn was exactly the kind of school Alisson was looking for, so she enrolled.

One of the jobs of East Brooklyn, and all transfer high schools, is repairing students’ view of school and education after coming from a negative experience. Teachers and staff need to change students’ feelings about school, so it becomes a place they want to be.

On Alisson’s first day at EBCHS, knew she was going to love it.

“The teachers really care. They really want you to learn the material and they create a positive environment that made me want to go to school,” Alisson said. “East Brooklyn also makes mental health a priority. If you’re feeling stressed, you’re encouraged to speak to a social worker to help get you in a better place.”

EBCHS offers students an accelerated pace, running on trimesters instead of semesters. Always a self-motivated student, Alisson took advantage – learning at an accelerated pace that allowed her to earn 18 credits in one year, giving her enough credits to graduate on schedule.

Alisson also took advantage of the many opportunities that EBCHS offers. She was encouraged to explore her interest in film by taking a film course that included attending the NYC public school Film Festival. She did an internship with the EBCHS film teacher, allowing her to develop her creative skills even further. She worked with the EBCHS Future Focus Advocate Counselor who helped her solidify her post graduate plans and helped her with college and financial aid applications. She developed great relationships with teachers and social workers who were all in her corner, each playing a part in helping her succeed.

After graduating, Alisson wants to become a nurse. She has always loved medicine and she loves working with kids, so she’s hoping to have a career that combines the two – pediatric nursing. Alisson plans to attend Borough of Manhattan College for two years in their nursing program, then transfer to a 4-year college to earn a nursing degree.

Alisson highly recommends East Brooklyn Community High School to any student who is struggling at their current school and who needs the right atmosphere and support to help them succeed.

Alisson is a shining example of what a young person is capable of when they’re in the right place.

“A lot of my peers say I took the opportunity and ran with it,” Alisson said.

We couldn’t agree more.

Programas de Queens para la primera infancia: ¡Regístrese hoy!

SCO ayuda a que los niños tengan un comienzo saludable con programas basados en el centro y en el hogar para familias jóvenes. ¡Nuestros Centros de educación de la primera infancia en Queens tienen aperturas inmediatas! Ofrecemos una instrucción de alta calidad y de jornada completa en el sitio, a distancia, o una combinación de ambos. Nuestros programas apoyan a los estudiantes de inglés y de dos idiomas, y a los niños con IEP. Nuestros programas cálidos y acogedores invitan a las familias a convertirse en socios activos en el crecimiento académico y el desarrollo del lenguaje de sus hijos.

Puntos destacados del programa

  • Opciones de 3K, Pre-K y jornada extendida durante todo el año
  • Cuidado infantil gratuito o a bajo costo para familias elegibles
  • Medidas de seguridad mejoradas que incluyen exámenes de salud y controles de temperatura diarios
  • Las actividades de lectoescritura y matemáticas preparan a los niños para tener éxito en el jardín de niños
  • Espacio de juegos al aire libre, además de arte, música y teatro
  • Desayuno, almuerzo y meriendas saludables
  • Maestros certificados del Estado de Nueva York

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Programas en Queens

Corona Early Childhood Center: 33-27 97th Street, Queens, NY 11368

Pre-K de jornada completa durante todo el año que se centra en el desarrollo saludable y prepara a los niños para el éxito en la escuela.

 

 

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

El Jerome Hardeman Early Childhood Center ofrece un programa académico de jornada completa durante todo el año en un entorno seguro y atractivo para niños de 2.9 meses a 5 años de edad, incluida la UPK.

 

 

Redes de cuidado infantil familiar

Los proveedores de cuidado infantil en el hogar en East Elmhurst, Corona, Jackson Heights, Flushing, Rego Park y Forest Hills ofrecen a las familias con bebés, niños pequeños y preescolares un programa de jornada completa durante todo el año que fomenta el desarrollo y el aprendizaje saludables.

 

 

Kelly’s Story

A life rebuilt, with the help of Morning Star

Read Kelly’s Story

Alisson’s Story

From struggling student to Valedictorian

Read Alisson’s Story

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