The 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation’s 17th annual Care for Kids Gala was held on November 20, 2024, at Chelsea Piers’ Current. The event’s theme was “Shaping the Leaders of Tomorrow” in celebration of our work that nurtures, inspires and empowers our youth to maximize their potential and become effective leaders in our communities. This was highlighted by our past and current program participants who spoke about what our child-care programs have done for them.

TD Bank served as our corporate gala chair. In addition to hosting distinguished guests and community members, we enjoyed a wonderful performance by the Harlem School of the Arts Theatre Program’s fall show, School Girls; Or the African Mean Girl Play. This year, we honored Dr. Danielle R. Moss Cox, Chief Executive Officer of Oliver Scholars, and Pamela J. Maraldo, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Girls Inc. of New York City, for their extraordinary work with youth around New York.

This year’s event raised over $300,000 for CCC programming. Thank you to all who attended and those who continue to support our galas and year-round fundraising efforts. Funds raised help us support our current programs, pilot initiatives and provide scholarships. In 2024 alone, we assisted 111 families via summer day camp scholarships for Home Care members, piloting the Secondary High School Test Program, securing slots at Mount Sinai’s Nursing Pathway Program for our high-schoolers, covering sleep-away camp leadership training costs for our teens and much more. We look forward to many more years of uplifting our youth, their families and our communities.

Save the date! The 2025 Care for Kids Gala will take place on Wednesday, October 22, at Current in Chelsea Piers. The theme will be Bridges to the Future, and we hope to see you there!

Each summer, the 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation (CCC) partners with organizations and businesses in the New York metropolitan area to provide students with valuable internship and learning opportunities. In collaboration with the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), CCC offers paid summer employment and academic enrichment experiences through WorkForce 2000 (WF2) and the Pre-RN Program.

WORKFORCE 2000 SUMMER INTERNSHIPS

WF2 is a year-round academic program designed to help 1199SEIU youth succeed in high school, prepare for college and explore career interests. As part of the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), eligible students gain real-world experience by interning at various host sites.

SUMMER 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

• 74 WF2 interns were placed at 13 host sites, including hospitals, nursing homes and local organizations.
• Interns performed administrative and customer service tasks, data entry, social media management and more.
• Students received mentorship, professional training and career exploration opportunities.

STANDOUT INTERNS

• Alecia Smith McLean was placed at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center and was able to shadow a forensic pathologist and gain experience in the field. This opportunity was Alecia’s first step to pursuing her goal of becoming a forensic pathologist. She volunteered on Fridays when she was off from work and after the internship ended.
• Angel Santiago was placed at Brookdale and plans on being a dentist. He was lucky enough to shadow a dentist and gain professional experience. This was his second year in our internship program in the Dental unit.
• Gabrielle Augustin Orcel and Kimberly Tiwary were placed at From Soil to Boil. While working virtually, they made customer service videos, surveys for customers of the farmers market, and wellness tips posts. They also researched project diversification and their political influence as a local organization, and put their graphic design skills to great use.

INTERNSHIP DETAILS

• Duration: 6 weeks (July–August)
• Work Schedule: Up to 25 hours/week
• Compensation: Minimum wage, funded by DYCD
• Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old, live in NYC and submit required SYEP paperwork.

PRE-RN PROGRAM SUMMER EXPERIENCE

The Pre-RN program offers students interested in healthcare an opportunity to explore nursing and medical careers through academic coursework, hands-on training and hospital visits.

SUMMER 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

• 9 Pre-RN students attended hybrid classes through New York University (July 1–26).
• Workshops covered stress management, nutrition and mental health.
Hands-on medical experiences at:
• New York Simulation Center for Health Sciences (manikin simulation, wound care, intubation)
• Brookdale Hospital Medical Center (ICU, OR, ER, Pediatrics, Radiology, Labor/Delivery)

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS

Students presented on topics including:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Gestational diabetes
• Homicidal behavior factors
• American hospice care
• Environmental impact on respiratory health

The WF2 and Pre-RN programs continue to provide transformative opportunities for students, helping them develop professional skills, industry knowledge and career aspirations. We look forward to another successful year ahead!

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.