SCO Family of Services Unveiled New Playground with State Senator Jessica Ramos at Jerome Hardeman Early Childhood Education Center

Garden City, NY – SCO Family of Services, in partnership with State Senator Jessica Ramos, unveiled the new rooftop playground at the Jerome Hardeman Early Childhood Education Center in East Elmhurst. The ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of the project, which provides a safe, engaging environment for the center’s young learners to play and explore.

Made possible through a generous $125,000 grant provided by Senator Ramos, the new space features removable play equipment and engaging learning tools, offering endless opportunities for creativity and fun.

Senator Ramos said, “Having spent much of my career working to ensure that New York’s children have access to safe, nurturing early childhood learning environments, it was a thrill to dedicate funding to build this playground for the Jerome Hardman Early Education Center. Young children learn through play, and as a mother and a senator, I am so excited to see the benefits of this grant ripple out into improved learning outcomes for our youngest neighbors.

SCO Family of Services’ President & CEO Suzette Gordon said, “We are thrilled to re-open this beautiful outdoor playspace where our young students can explore, learn, and grow. This transformation wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of Senator Ramos, whose commitment to our community and SCO Family of Services helps us empower thousands of children, families, and adults every day.”

The new playspace replaces a playground that was removed years ago to repair the center’s roof, which is now fully restored. Thanks to the grant, the center’s children once again have a dedicated space to enjoy the outdoors, fostering their development and well-being.

The celebration also highlighted the important work that SCO Family of Services’ Jerome Hardeman Early Childhood Center offers to students two to five-years-old, such as its full day program that helps children build essential academic, physical, and creative skills. The center also offers support to dual-language learners and children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and works with families to ensure they are engaged with their child’s education.

About SCO Family of Services
SCO Family of Services helps New Yorkers build a strong foundation for the future. We get young children off to a good start, launch youth into adulthood, stabilize and strengthen families and unlock potential for children and adults with special needs. SCO has played a vital role delivering human services in communities throughout New York City and Long Island for over 125 years. For more information, please visit www.sco.org.