Kaitlyn’s Story

If you asked Kaitlyn years ago about how her experience at SCO’s Madonna Heights would help her grow, she wouldn’t have had an answer. Kaitlyn’s painful childhood meant being in and out of hospitals, group homes, and residential programs starting at just 8 years old. After her 16th birthday, she arrived at SCO’s Madonna Heights campus feeling angry, defiant, untrusting, and alone. Her struggle persisted – until everything changed for the better.

According to Kaitlyn, every single person she encountered at Madonna Heights made her feel human, loved, important, safe, and secure. She thrived for two years living on the Madonna Heights campus with a new support system focused on helping her achieve her personal, emotional, and academic goals. Today, Kaitlyn is overjoyed to use her life experiences to help guide the next generation of young women as a Youth Advocate at Madonna Heights.

Kaitlyn’s journey gave her the knowledge and insight to show people that no one is alone, to encourage them to advocate for themselves and to guide them on the path to finding their self-worth.

“Knowing my story can influence the story of another young girl which inspires me to give back,” said Kaitlyn.

 

 

 

 

Who is SCO?

Who is SCO?

With 84 programs serving 60,000 New Yorkers each year, SCO Family of Services is many things to many people. We are advocates. We are hope. We are early childhood, independent youth, and special needs programming. We are strong families and communities. We are the promise of opportunity. And most importantly, we are builders. We build well-being.

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How can you help?

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Our mission

 

SCO Family of Services envisions communities throughout New York City and Long Island that support family life and personal well-being, where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

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 provided vital human services throughout New York City and Long Island for 125 years.

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Our Success

 

97% of children in our Early Childhood Centers met or exceeded national literacy performance standards

83% of runaway and homeless youth discharged from our shelters are engaged in education or work

99% of at-risk families throughout Brooklyn and Queens remained together and stable with family support services

In 2018 we sheltered 5,500 youth, adults and children experiencing homelessness

82% of students in our residential school for youth with high-functioning autism are actively involved in weekly internships in the community

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Our Services

 

SCO Family of Services has responded to the needs of New Yorkers for more than a century.

  • Foster Care
  • Homeless Shelters & Services
  • Special Needs Programs
  • Early Childhood Education
  • At Risk Youth Development
  • Family & Community Support

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Want to help?

What are you interested in?

See some of our work

SCO Family of Services opens doors to opportunities for children, youth, adults and families throughout New York City and Long Island.

Carlos’ Story

A world of opportunity through resilience, focus, and assistance from SCO College Specialists

Read Carlos’ Story

Kaitlyn’s Story

From struggling to thriving, Kaitlyn shares personal growth experience at Madonna Heights with others

Read Kaitlyn’s Story

91%

of babies in our Nurse Family Partnership were current with immunizations at 24 months

Support Our Mission

With your gift, you can help strengthen New York families and unlock potential for children and adults with special needs.

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