Sheltering Arms Opens the Harriet Tubman Early Childhood Education Center in the South Bronx
New York, NY (PRWEB) October 04, 2016 -- Sheltering Arms Children and Family Services announced that it opened the Harriet Tubman Early Childhood Education Center at 565 Morris Ave, Bronx, NY 10451. It is Sheltering Arms’ 12th and largest ECE Center, resulting in a city-wide reach of over 1,400 children.
As part of the Administration for Children’s Services’ EarlyLearn NYC initiative, the Harriet Tubman ECE Center will provide comprehensive support for children and families. Programming will utilize the nationally recognized Creative Curriculum, involving experiential learning activities across six developmental domains: cognitive, language, literacy, mathematics, physical, and social-emotional. Sheltering Arms staff members work closely with families to improve the learning environment at home and enable caregivers to improve their own wellbeing. As a result, more than 90% of children in Sheltering Arms’ ECE programs meet or exceed school readiness standards by the end of the year, up from roughly half in the beginning of the year.
“It’s an honor to expand our footprint in the South Bronx,” said Elizabeth McCarthy, CEO of Sheltering Arms. “This center is a major step forward as our organization, City, and partners come together to ensure a more just and prosperous future for all generations.”
The center opens at a critical time for the South Bronx, which is the country’s poorest congressional district and New York’s unhealthiest neighborhood for the past seven years, as reported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In Mott Haven-Port Morris, 43% of residents live in poverty and 45% of adults 25 years or old do not have a high school diploma. In spite of the cascading impact of generational poverty, there is clear evidence pointing to the expansion of ECE programs. Various studies report that for every dollar invested in ECE today, savings range from $2.50 to $17 per student in the years ahead through a reduction in prison and benefits programs and an increase in potential tax revenue from an educated labor force.
“EarlyLearn NYC provides high quality early care and education to New York City’s youngest learners,” said ACS Commissioner Gladys Carrión. “We are committed to providing quality services in the neighborhoods that need it the most. The opening of the Harriet Tubman Early Childhood Education Center will ensure that more children in the South Bronx are prepared for kindergarten and beyond.”
Sheltering Arms is a city-wide leader in providing innovative programs that can reverse the cycle of poverty. In the coming year, Sheltering Arms will strengthen its Early Childhood Education program through initiatives in mental health, family engagement, and staff development. A wide range of partners help Sheltering Arms to continually innovate and expand, from leading universities and foundations to local community leaders and organizations. A grand opening event will be held on October 17th to celebrate the Harriett Tubman ECE Center and welcome supporters to the site.
“For decades, Sheltering Arms has evolved and innovated to meet the needs of New York City,” said Ken Kramer, Retired Partner of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Chair of the Board of Directors of Sheltering Arms. “We hope the Harriett Tubman Early Childhood Education Center will serve as a beacon of hope and strength for the community’s children and families.”
Mohan Sivaloganathan, Sheltering Arms, http://www.shelteringarmsny.org, +1 2128865604, [email protected]
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