27TH ANNUAL SCIENCE FAIR

On March 23, 2024, the Future of America Learning Center (FALC) hosted its 27th Annual Science Fair, where young scholars (ages 2-5) explored “Reducing, Reusing and Recycling” through hands-on experiments and STREAM-infused projects. Each of the seven classrooms presented creative displays demonstrating how personal habits impact air, land and water quality. Families and guests engaged in interactive exhibits, fostering curiosity and environmental awareness. The children confidently shared their research, answering questions like: “How can we adjust our habits to help our community?” and “What can we do to spread awareness about the importance of the three R’s?”

OLYMPIC/FIELD DAY 2024

On June 5, 2024, FALC held its 3rd Annual Olympic/Field Day at PS 246, and it was a day filled with high-energy activities and teamwork! Children, parents and staff embraced the spirit of healthy competition through engaging relay races, obstacle courses and other exciting challenges, such as balance beam exercises and basketball. The event began with an interactive Harambee greeting led by Ms. Funmi, our dance empowerment consultant, setting the tone for unity and enthusiasm. FALC families and staff also participated, exemplifying the joy of community spirit. The day ended with a grand rainbow portrait, and each participant received a medal in recognition of their efforts.

PRE-K CULMINATION

FALC proudly celebrated the graduation of 50 pre-K students on June 25, marking a milestone in their educational journey. The event took place in the spacious gymnasium of PS 246, where families gathered to witness their children’s transition to kindergarten. The ceremony featured vibrant music and movement performances, heartfelt parent tributes and proud moments as students introduced themselves and declared their aspirations with “When I grow up, I want to be…” The event highlighted the children’s confidence, teamwork and resilience, preparing them for their next educational step.

FALC continues to champion hands-on learning, community engagement and the success of our future leaders, ensuring that students build a strong foundation for lifelong achievement!

The Youth Mentoring Program (YMP) continues to provide teenage children of 1199SEIU members with work and learning opportunities to boost their professional development skills.

In 2024, 177 teens were selected to participate in the YMP. The program offers a six-week summer employment opportunity at participating nursing home facilities and healthcare institutions across New York City. Interns build educational and on-the-job competencies throughout the program, helping to prepare them for careers in healthcare and beyond.

In 2024, interns completed projects on health-related topics and presented them at the YMP closing ceremony, held at the end of the summer. The 2024 intern projects focused on their institution’s educational approach to community health and wellness.

SPECIALIZED HIGH SCHOOLS ADMISSIONS TEST PREP

The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) Prep Program prepares seventh- and eighth-grade students for the admissions test for entry into one of New York City’s nine specialized high schools. Program participants attended admissions workshops, worked through practice materials and learned test-taking strategies to strengthen their skill sets in specialized interest areas as they geared up for the test in November 2024.

New in 2025, the program will offer its Family University. The Family University is a series of enrichment workshops specifically designed to enhance the student experience by offering targeted learning opportunities that include goal setting and student/life balance.

SAT PREP PROGRAM

In 2024, 218 students took advantage of the SAT Prep Program. This 13-week program was held virtually on Saturdays. Students gained access to content and instruction, as well as a series of specialized workshops covering topics such as “College Essay Writing,” “The Common Application” and “Test-taking Anxiety.” Students also gained in-depth insights into the college admissions process.

New for 2025, SAT Prep will also offer Family University, which focuses on high school success and college and career readiness.

HIGHLIGHTS

Overall, practice test composite scores improved by an average of 70 points. The highest overall practice score reported in 2024 was 1520, with a perfect math score!

CCC offers stipends for participation in cultural arts programs. Members must find their own provider that:

• Provides services on the weekend, weekdays and/or during the winter or spring school breaks*;
• Has a tax identification number;
• Has been in existence for more than two years with an established art, recreational or educational program or a holiday school recess program*;
• Has established course descriptions and a fee schedule; and
• Offers age-appropriate programming to children ages 5 through 17.

*New for 2025: Members who have a child or children whose school does not follow the New York City public school calendar can use the CASP benefit to secure a Holiday Program. Members may be reimbursed up to $1,200 for programming held during their child’s winter and spring breaks. Members may combine additional programming if the total cost does not exceed $1,200.

• 704 children of 572 members attended sleep-away camp.
• 665 children attended through one of the program’s 21 contracted camp providers, located across six states throughout the Northeast.
• 8 children took advantage of the one-week trial sessions, which were restored in 2023. These shorter “taste of camp” sessions were offered by select camps to first-time campers ages 9 to 11.
• 39 children attended through ASC’s Independent Camp Program.

ASC’S POSITIVE IMPACT ON MEMBERS:

Sleep-away camp is an extremely powerful experience for youth of all ages. Aside from giving them amazing new experiences, it gets them outside, reduces screen time and makes a significant impact on their social, emotional and cognitive health. Campers learn to work better with others, develop their decision-making skills and build meaningful relationships. In turn, these skills help promote independence and self-confidence. In response to ASC’s summer 2024 Member Satisfaction Survey:

• 93 percent of children said they liked or loved their camp experience. When given the opportunity to leave more personalized feedback, here’s what parents had to say:
• “My daughter had the time of her life…she thoroughly enjoyed herself. She had a tough year at school, and this camp experience was the reset she needed. Thank you, 1199, for this amazing opportunity.”
• “The lessons camp teaches young girls are so important, and they have a blast while being there. My daughter is scared of heights, but she rope-climbed. She learned how to do her hair without Mom’s help. She got a bull’s-eye in archery and she rode a horse, which takes discipline and a gentle soul to connect with the horse and build trust with it. She gained a group of girls as lifelong camp friends, worked hard for what she wants—there’s so much a pre-teen can gain in life skills from attending camp.”
• “It’s not easy sending your child away for the first time. My son came back with new skills and experiences and a greater sense of independence. His connection with his counselors helped him battle his homesickness while fostering a new talent.”
• 96 percent of members reported they are likely to apply again.
• 98 percent of members said they are likely to recommend the program to another member.

2024 CHILD CARE CORPORATION (CCC) SCHOLARSHIPS

10 program alums who had aged out of ASC received a CCC scholarship to attend their camp’s Leader-in-Training (LIT) or Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program. ASC participants frequently demonstrate significant growth in leadership skill development and, often, participation in a camp’s leadership program can lead directly to future summer employment there.

ASC’S SUMMER 2025 CAMP FAIR

• Held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the Benefit Funds’ 498 Seventh Avenue headquarters.
• 19 of 24 camp providers participated.
• The American Camp Association, Dial-a-Teacher and staff from the Benefit Funds’ Wellness Member Assistance Program also participated.
• 28 families (68 people) attended.
• Members and their children had the opportunity to speak directly with ASC’s participating camp providers, ask questions and gain a better understanding of the unique programming each camp offers. Families came away with valuable information to make their camp/session preference selections on the application.

OTHER ASC EVENTS

• Online events for summer 2025 were hosted in mid-January:
• Online Special Needs Camp Fair (Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm)
• Consisted of four presentations, including ASC’s three special-needs camp providers (Ramapo for Children, Camp Reece and the Southampton Fresh Air Home) and ASC’s Independent Camp Program.
• 5 families attended.

The Joseph Tauber Scholarship Program (JTSP) awards scholarships to children of eligible members who are attending accredited undergraduate programs. This need-based award can be used for books, personal expenses, transportation or tuition, as well as for reducing student loan debt.

During the 2024-2025 academic year, JTSP will grant over 2,300 scholarship awards. Here are the top 10 majors and institutions attended by 24-25 JTSP applicants:

At The City College of New York, I am a sophomore and Biology major. I strive to become a physician’s assistant in the OB/GYN field.

My college experience has taught me to be thankful even for the adversities I face. Through these challenges, I learned many new things about myself. I realized the importance of standing up for yourself, how to deal with conflict between others and managing “adulting.”

The Joseph Tauber Scholarship Program provided me with a sense of hope and comfort. With the scholarship, I was able to purchase my first laptop. This gave me the control over my academics to succeed. Every day when using my computer, I am thankful to know my dreams are now attainable and not just a fantasy.

My name is J-Quan Nooks, a 19-year-old sophomore currently majoring in Political Science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. I am a goal-driven student with a 3.7 GPA and a deep passion for my studies. My ultimate aspiration is to attend law school and pursue a career as a civil rights attorney.

While I am dedicated to my academic journey, the cost of tuition presents a significant challenge for me and my family. However, with the support of the Joseph Tauber Scholarship Program, I can focus on my education without the financial strain, alleviating the burden on both me and my mother, for which I am grateful.

I am currently a sophomore at the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University. During my freshman year, I attended the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College in New York City, where I studied economics. Recognizing that my career aspirations in finance would be better aligned with opportunities at a different institution, I dedicated much of my time to researching and applying to universities that could provide the environment and resources I needed to grow.

This transition would not have been possible without the invaluable support of the Joseph Tauber Scholarship Program, which enabled me to focus on my academic and personal development without financial constraints. Since joining Cornell, I have had the privilege of becoming involved in several business organizations that are helping me refine the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in finance.

I remain incredibly grateful for the opportunities made possible through the Joseph Tauber Scholarship Program and am determined to make the most of them as I continue to grow both personally and professionally.