Join us - Summer Resources Town Hall, K Graduations, and more

Dear Parents and Families in the Save for College Community,

We hope this email finds you and your family celebrating the last week of school! As the year wraps up and summer kicks off, we wanted to share a few highlights for this week in the Save for College Program community:

– You’re invited: Thursday at 6pm join us for a town hall on summer resources and tips to keep your children learning and active during the summer of COVID-19.

– Kindergarten Graduations – As we continue celebrating the Kindergarten class of 2020,(and College graduating class of 2036!), let’s also celebrate the work our community has done through the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program. If you haven’t already, activate your child’s NYC Scholarship Account and see the initial deposit of $100 for their college and career education.

– COVID-19-related family resources and information – If you are in need of financial support at this time and have not yet received a $150 gift card from NYC Kids RISE, please fill out the form here or contact us to join the waitlist for a card.

Importantly, today is the New York State Primary. Please make sure to vote if you haven’t yet participated in early voting or mailed in your absentee ballot! If you have received an absentee ballot and haven’t yet mailed it in, make sure to do so by today. Key primary elections taking place in our neighborhoods include the race for Queens Borough President, State Assembly, State Senate, and Congress, among others. Click here to find your polling location. You can also read more about candidates running in the different races here.

We look forward to staying connected this summer.

With best wishes to you and your family,

Debra-Ellen and the NYC Kids RISE Team

Our community is our best resource. Share your own ideas about safe and educational activities other families can consider for the summer. Click here to share your ideas.

Tune in Thursday at 6pm ET

During this town hall, hear more about resources and activities to keep your K-3 students engaged, learning and playing throughout the summer. Also, share your own ideas about safe and educational activities.

RSVP Here

During this virtual event on Facebook Live, families will hear about:

Free local activities and community based organization resources in Queens for families and K-3 students
Tips for managing risk and staying safe while participating in outdoor activities
Why the Census is very important to complete as part of your summer plans.

The featured speakers include:

Nicole Beinhorn, Queens North Instructional Lead, NYC Department of Education
Eleni Gerasimou, Art Teacher, Steinway Elementary School, P.S.84Q
Gillian Miller, Early Childhood initiatives, Queens Public Library
Ebony Young, Former Executive Director, LIC YMCA

Moderated by Carolina Valencia, Director of Communications and Digital at NYC Kids RISE.

You can watch live and ask questions via the NYC Kids RISE Facebook page. You can also watch via our YouTube channel.

To catch the next town hall, like us on Facebook | Subscribe to NYC Kids RISE on YouTube

Your Child’s NYC Scholarship Account

Have you seen your child’s scholarship funds for their educational future?

Your child is one of more than 10,000 students that has an NYC Scholarship Account already with funds for their college and career education. Now, all you need to do, if you haven’t already, is go in and see these funds by activating your child’s NYC Scholarship Account, which has an initial deposit of $100.

Just for activating your child’s NYC Scholarship account today, you will earn $25 more in rewards for their future. You can click here to get started. If you would like assistance activating your child’s account, call 833-543-7473 or email [email protected].

In Case You Missed It

During the Talking Racial Justice with Your Kids town hall, panelists shared tips for how parents can equip their children with important information, lead by example, and cope with the many challenges that parents are facing. Click below to watch a recording of the town hall.

Racial Justice Town Hall

Community Scholarship for the Children of Astoria Houses

Astoria Houses Tenants Organization Launches Community Scholarship Fundraising Effort for Students in Astoria Houses

The Astoria Houses Tenants Organization has launched a fundraising effort to raise $1,000 for each of the 134 students enrolled in the Save for College Program living in Astoria Houses. Claudia Coger, President of the Astoria Houses Tenants Organization, writes: “This is not only a real financial foundation that our children can rely on in 10+ years when they graduate from high school and set off on their career path. It is also sending them a message TODAY that their community believes in them and knows they can succeed. With all the fear and pain our children are living through right now, that message is in some ways more important than ever.” Read more from Claudia Coger on investing in the future of the children of Astoria Houses.

Also, if you are interested in launching your own Community Scholarship campaign, please reach out to us. We would be happy to work with you.

Save for College Program Flashback

529 Day – Friday, May 29, 2020

Families, schools and the community came together to share their stories and support children’s dreams for their future on social media via the #Together529 and #Juntos529 hashtags. Here are some highlights. Check out all the posts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Did you fill out the Census?

Every New Yorker Counts. Filling out the Census is important for getting money into our community for schools, jobs, hospitals, and more.

Fill it out now at: My2020Census.gov

There are NO questions about immigration or citizenship. Your information is confidential and cannot be shared with anyone–not law enforcement, not the government, not your landlord.

NYC Kids RISE Resources

Need support with setting up your child’s remote learning or information about resources in your neighborhood? Our team can help. Call (833) 543-7473 or Email [email protected]

First-Come, First-Served – Emergency Cash Support – NYC Kids RISE is distributing $150 cash disaster relief gift cards to families in the Save for College Program. If you are in need of financial support at this time and have not yet received a $150 disaster emergency relief cash gift card from NYC Kids RISE, please fill out the short form as soon as possible to be added to a contingent waitlist for a gift card. Click here and fill out the form provided on this page. Filling out the form does not guarantee a cash disaster relief gift card will be provided to you. If your family is confirmed to receive a card because funding is available, you will be notified by email once a card has been shipped to you.
Your child’s accounts – We continue to be available by phone and email to support you with your family’s scholarship and savings accounts. Please contact us for support with completing the 3 Building Blocks or other support with your accounts. We are invested for the long term in your child’s college and career training future.
Remote Learning Support – Need support with setting up your child’s remote learning or information about resources in your neighborhood? Our team can help. Call (833) 543-7473 or email [email protected]

Important Resources Across the Community

These are just some of the resources available from schools, community-based organizations, the City and State government, and other local partners. We are keeping an updated list on our blog at nyckidsrise.org/covid-19.

Click on the need you have to see list of resources available.

– NYC Kids RISE Resources

– Remote Learning

– Food Assistance

– Financial Relief

– Utilities

– Small Businesses

– Immigration Rights

– Health and Mental Health

– Childcare

– Housing

– Elected Officials