Queens NYCHA Residents, Educators and Community Leaders Celebrate $184,000 Investment in College and Career Scholarship Funds for K-3rd Graders in Astoria Houses
February 6, 2021
As National and Local Leaders Debate How to Combat Wealth Disparities, Queens NYCHA Residents Model a Path Forward Through First Of Its Kind Community-driven NYC Kids RISE Save For College Program
A Recording of Today’s Celebration is Available Here & Photos of the Children’s Read-along are Available Here
Queens, NY — In collaboration with NYC Kids RISE, the Astoria Houses Resident Association hosted a community celebration to commemorate a landmark $184,000 investment in the educational futures of 184 kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders living in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Astoria Houses. Spearheaded by the organization’s President and long-standing community leader Claudia Coger and supported by local parents, schools, businesses and elected officials, the fund will invest $1,000 in the college and career savings accounts of all children living in Astoria Houses who are enrolled in the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program.
The Save for College Program is a public-private-community partnership that provides families, schools, and communities access to a universal scholarship and savings platform, regardless of a family’s income or immigration status. This historic effort in Queens, with contributions from over 160 donors, demonstrates how the platform can be used as a tool to share economic and social capital and to drive financial assets into communities of color that have been historically excluded from wealth-building opportunities. Lack of wealth held in financial assets is a key contributor to the racial wealth gap. Recent research suggests that providing universal savings accounts at a young age to every family with a substantial initial deposit could meaningfully reduce the racial wealth gap by the time the child becomes an adult. These funds can reduce the amount that students and families have to borrow in student loans, combatting the student debt crisis that has disproportionately impacted students of color. Research shows that a child with a college savings account of just $1-$500 is three times more likely to go to college and more than four times more likely to graduate than a child without an account.
To emphasize the community’s support for its children, today’s event featured a read-along of Vice President Kamala Harris’s children’s book (photos available here), Superheroes Are Everywhere, by members of the Resident Association Executive Board. The family-friendly event also included a panel discussion about community support for college and career readiness with local Queens parents, educators, and community leaders, a musical performance, and recorded well wishes from local elected officials, educators and community and faith leaders.
“We want every single one of the children living in our community to know that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. Education opens doors to tremendous opportunity. Our youngest need to know that they have a whole neighborhood behind them cheering them on. It is my hope that this investment from our community will make a significant impact in the years to come. I am thankful for all our partners who have joined us in investing in our children,” said Claudia Coger, President of the Astoria Houses Tenant Organization.
These 184 students are part of the more than 13,000 students enrolled in the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program across New York City’s School District 30 – one of the most diverse school districts in the country, and which includes some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods from the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, approximately $5.3M has been accumulated in Save for College Program accounts. The 13,000 students represent 95% of all kindergarten, first-, second-, and third-graders that today have an NYC Scholarship Account invested in a 529 college savings plan. The money raised has already been deposited into the NYC Scholarship Accounts of the 184 students that live in Astoria Houses.
Over the past four years, together with the City and the Department of Education, and with founding support from the Gray Foundation, NYC Kids RISE has built a platform to give children in School District 30 a financial asset for their college and career training future, starting in kindergarten. In addition to students having an NYC Scholarship Account invested in a 529 college savings plan with an initial $100 from NYC Kids RISE, families have the opportunity to open their own savings accounts to save funds in parallel to their child’s NYC Scholarship Account, where contributions from the community are invested. This NYCHA Association-led campaign is the latest example of Community Scholarships, which are a way for communities to leverage their unique institutions, traditions, and assets; share resources; and tangibly and visibly support their children’s educational futures. By enabling local stakeholders (businesses, neighbors, civic organizations, etc.) to support the NYC Scholarship Accounts, Community Scholarships are a way to demonstrate community-wide support for every child’s future, encourage families to continue planning and saving for higher education, and build wealth in neighborhoods.
“Ms. Coger and the Astoria Houses Resident Association have been leading and fighting for decades so that Astoria Houses can be a springboard of opportunity for the children that live there. This campaign is just the latest example of that,” said Debra-Ellen Glickstein, Executive Director of NYC Kids RISE. “One of the underpinnings of the Save for College Program is the connectivity within and across communities. Our children will be successful when we recognize our collective responsibility to them and one another. This effort epitomizes this ethos.”
“I am filled with joy to join my neighbors as we celebrate this milestone for the entire Astoria Houses community,” said Nadia Landy, Save for College Program Parent and Astoria Houses Resident. “ The Save For College Program is truly life changing. I want my daughter to be able to pursue whatever career path she chooses, and this historic investment in our children’s futures will help make that a reality.”
“Congratulations to the Astoria Houses Residents Association on this historic achievement and investment in their children,” said Jon and Mindy Gray, Co-Founders of the Gray Foundation. “Higher education plays a critical role in expanding opportunity, and we are proud to have partnered with the CIty and the Department of Education to help launch the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program so that all children can dream big and have the support they need to achieve their dreams.”
“The racial wealth gap is a persistent and growing challenge that impedes intergenerational economic opportunity for our communities. The Save for College Program provides an important infrastructure for the private, public and social sectors to progressively drive more resources into communities of color. In a moment when our city and country is focused on addressing the racial inequities that continue to create barriers to economic mobility in our communities, the Astoria Houses Resident Association is leading the way in demonstrating how this platform can be used to systematically reduce racial wealth disparities in our city. I know that this important campaign to seed $1,000 for each child in Astoria Houses is just the tip of the iceberg of the Save for College Program’s wealth-building potential,” said Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor, Co-Founder of Urban Upbound and Senior Pastor of the Center of Hope International.
“We are blown away by the vision and leadership of Ms. Claudia Coger and the Astoria Houses Residents Association,” said Greg Russ, Chair and CEO of the New York City Housing Authority. “They are demonstrating exactly how communities can come together to invest in and show support for their children, from a critical early age. The Save for College Program is an innovative and effective platform for communities to build individual and community assets, and we look forward to partnering with NYC Kids RISE to bring the platform to other NYCHA communities. ”
“Far too many New Yorkers–especially low-income families, immigrant families, and communities of color–are systematically excluded from opportunities to build wealth,” said Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner and NYC Kids RISE Ex-Officio Director Lorelei Salas. “As COVID-19 continues to exacerbate existing economic disparities, the Save For College Program offers a much-needed window of opportunity to help ensure every family can access the inclusive financial tools they need for long term growth and stability. I am proud to partner with NYC Kids RISE and local leaders here in Queens as we work to expand this life-changing program.”
“The Astoria Houses Resident Association and NYC Kids RISE’s historic $184,000 community scholarship is going to make an incredible difference in people’s lives,” said Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY). “This program will give these families the foundation to save for college, build wealth, and combat inequities in higher education achievement for Black and brown students. The Save For College Program goes a long way to systematically reduce racial wealth disparities and I hope will serve as a model for communities across the city and country.”
“I want to congratulate Ms. Coger, the Astoria Houses Residents Association and NYC Kids RISE for their innovative work to ensure our young people have a fighting chance at getting a college degree,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. “I cannot tell you how important higher education is for helping our young people rip down the walls of inequality, especially for our youth living in public housing who traditionally did not have access to adequate resources. This initiative shows that when we come together as a community, nothing can stop us from rising up and achieving success.”
“Achieving equity and addressing systemic inequality will take generational efforts and I am proud to work with NYC Kids RISE and the Astoria Houses Tenants Association, who are fighting to deliver meaningful change to a legion of our community’s young people,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris.
“Today’s celebration is a tremendous achievement for the Astoria Houses Resident Association, NYC Kids RISE and all the educators, parents and students involved,” said Assemblymember Cathy Nolan. “This landmark $1,000 investment in the educational futures of each of the 184 Astoria Houses students enrolled in the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program sends a clear message to our children that we believe in them and over time this investment should grow so that they will have meaningful funds to support achieving their dreams. Today’s celebration shows us how the Save for College Program could positively impact the lives of all of our city’s public school students in the years ahead.”
“Building a strong financial foundation and demonstrating community support for all our children are at the heart of what we have been working to build through the Save for College Program. These are both critical in making sure our kids continue to have options for their future, despite the current crisis. I am proud to partner with the Astoria Houses Tenants Organization, NYC Kids RISE and so many other stakeholders on this important campaign. It is more important than ever to provide our communities with the reminder of the promise of education and the future,” said Council Member Costa Constantinides.
“Access to higher education is critical to economic mobility, and children of color have been historically cut off from opportunities to build wealth and attain a college degree,” said Sideya Sherman, Executive Director of the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity and EVP, Community Engagement & Partnerships, NYCHA. “Through the Save For College Program, we can not only help reduce economic disparities but also offer children the tools and support systems they need to build a foundation for long term success. The Astoria Houses Community Scholarship Campaign is a shining example of how we can build long-lasting change rooted in community.”
“We are proud to partner with NYC Kids RISE and support the data and evaluation work of its Save for College Program: a community-centered, asset-building initiative for the next generation of New Yorkers,” said Matthew Klein, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity. “Today, we celebrate the Astoria Houses community and its friends and neighbors, as we witness the deep support for the aspirations of its children and families.”
“Too often, bright and ambitious students are held back from educational and professional success because they lack the support and financial means to get to and through higher education,” said Dora Danner, Principal, P.S. 234 – The School of Performing Arts and Technology, who participated in a College and Career Community Panel Discussion for the virtual celebration. “I’m proud that my school district and community are participating in the Save For College Program to expand access to universal college savings and to help students of all backgrounds dream big and keep going. Every child deserves a chance to reach their full potential and the Astoria Houses’ Residents Association and the Save for College Program community are helping to provide local families the tools, support and foundation to do just that.”
“To the children of Astoria Houses: we know the road ahead may not always be easy, but you are part of a community with a rich history and you already have some money for college and you aren’t even in middle school yet, the future is bright,”said Marion Jeffries, Former President of Astoria/LIC NAACP Chapter. “With this investment, we can help ensure each child will have access to real financial assets that will grow over time, and that will help them unlock greater opportunities in the years ahead. This effort has also allowed the whole community to come together to not only let our children know we support them, but to work together and break down the systemic barriers that may otherwise stand in our children’s way. ”
“As a college graduate and former resident of Astoria Houses, I understand the barriers to higher education for kids growing up in communities like mine firsthand,” said Gabby Malave, current Coro Fellow in Public Affairs and Astoria Houses Alumna. “We are faced with a myriad of challenges from the moment we are born when it comes to building wealth, saving enough to go to college, and finding the support everyone needs to succeed. The Save For College Program changes that. I am proud to support the Astoria Houses’ Residents Association as they work to ensure that young people like me have a fair chance at attaining a college degree and following their dreams.”
“We are glad to be a part of a community that is working to support its children from every direction in achieving their educational and career goals. We are proud that our School District has the Save for College Program, which is providing a mechanism for us to come together to make sure that every child will have a real financial asset when they graduate high school. We are glad to support this campaign for the children of Astoria Houses. Thank you to the Astoria Houses Tenants Organization and President Claudia Coger for her leadership,” said Anju J. Rupchandani, Executive Director of Zone 126.
“We are proud to support Ms. Coger and the Astoria Houses Tenants Organization in their Community Scholarship Campaign to offer college and career training scholarships to the children of Astoria. The COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated how important it is for us all to come together to support each other now and in the future,” said Maryam Shariat, Co-Founder, Astoria Mutual Aid Network.
About the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program
The NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program is a public-private-community partnership that provides families, schools, and communities with a way to work together to save for their children’s futures. It’s a universal scholarship and savings platform designed to make college and career training more accessible and achievable for all NYC public school students—regardless of their family’s income or immigration status. NYC Kids RISE, a nonprofit organization, manages the Save for College Program in partnership with the NYC Department of Education and the City of New York.
About NYC Kids RISE
NYC Kids RISE is a nonprofit organization working to expand economic opportunity and equity by providing families, schools, and communities with a way to work together to save for their children’s education. Building on the dreams and expectations that families have for their children’s futures, NYC Kids RISE aims to make attending and graduating from college and career training more achievable for all NYC public school students—regardless of where they come from or how much their families have in the bank.
NYC Kids RISE manages the Save for College Program in partnership with the NYC Department of Education and the City of New York, with founding support from the Gray Foundation. Each NYC Scholarship Account is opened with a $100 seed investment from NYC Kids RISE, with additional opportunities for matching funds and contributions from organizations, businesses, and community members. A three-cohort pilot was launched in 2017; NYC Kids RISE is now in its fourth year in School District 30 and hopes to expand the program to reach all NYC public school students.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Rendy Desamours, [email protected]
As National and Local Leaders Debate How to Combat Wealth Disparities, Queens NYCHA Residents Model a Path Forward Through First Of Its Kind Community-driven NYC Kids RISE Save For College Program
A Recording of Today’s Celebration is Available Here & Photos of the Children’s Read-along are Available Here
Queens, NY — In collaboration with NYC Kids RISE, the Astoria Houses Resident Association hosted a community celebration to commemorate a landmark $184,000 investment in the educational futures of 184 kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders living in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Astoria Houses. Spearheaded by the organization’s President and long-standing community leader Claudia Coger and supported by local parents, schools, businesses and elected officials, the fund will invest $1,000 in the college and career savings accounts of all children living in Astoria Houses who are enrolled in the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program.
The Save for College Program is a public-private-community partnership that provides families, schools, and communities access to a universal scholarship and savings platform, regardless of a family’s income or immigration status. This historic effort in Queens, with contributions from over 160 donors, demonstrates how the platform can be used as a tool to share economic and social capital and to drive financial assets into communities of color that have been historically excluded from wealth-building opportunities. Lack of wealth held in financial assets is a key contributor to the racial wealth gap. Recent research suggests that providing universal savings accounts at a young age to every family with a substantial initial deposit could meaningfully reduce the racial wealth gap by the time the child becomes an adult. These funds can reduce the amount that students and families have to borrow in student loans, combatting the student debt crisis that has disproportionately impacted students of color. Research shows that a child with a college savings account of just $1-$500 is three times more likely to go to college and more than four times more likely to graduate than a child without an account.
To emphasize the community’s support for its children, today’s event featured a read-along of Vice President Kamala Harris’s children’s book (photos available here), Superheroes Are Everywhere, by members of the Resident Association Executive Board. The family-friendly event also included a panel discussion about community support for college and career readiness with local Queens parents, educators, and community leaders, a musical performance, and recorded well wishes from local elected officials, educators and community and faith leaders.
“We want every single one of the children living in our community to know that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. Education opens doors to tremendous opportunity. Our youngest need to know that they have a whole neighborhood behind them cheering them on. It is my hope that this investment from our community will make a significant impact in the years to come. I am thankful for all our partners who have joined us in investing in our children,” said Claudia Coger, President of the Astoria Houses Tenant Organization.
These 184 students are part of the more than 13,000 students enrolled in the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program across New York City’s School District 30 – one of the most diverse school districts in the country, and which includes some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods from the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, approximately $5.3M has been accumulated in Save for College Program accounts. The 13,000 students represent 95% of all kindergarten, first-, second-, and third-graders that today have an NYC Scholarship Account invested in a 529 college savings plan. The money raised has already been deposited into the NYC Scholarship Accounts of the 184 students that live in Astoria Houses.
Over the past four years, together with the City and the Department of Education, and with founding support from the Gray Foundation, NYC Kids RISE has built a platform to give children in School District 30 a financial asset for their college and career training future, starting in kindergarten. In addition to students having an NYC Scholarship Account invested in a 529 college savings plan with an initial $100 from NYC Kids RISE, families have the opportunity to open their own savings accounts to save funds in parallel to their child’s NYC Scholarship Account, where contributions from the community are invested. This NYCHA Association-led campaign is the latest example of Community Scholarships, which are a way for communities to leverage their unique institutions, traditions, and assets; share resources; and tangibly and visibly support their children’s educational futures. By enabling local stakeholders (businesses, neighbors, civic organizations, etc.) to support the NYC Scholarship Accounts, Community Scholarships are a way to demonstrate community-wide support for every child’s future, encourage families to continue planning and saving for higher education, and build wealth in neighborhoods.
“Ms. Coger and the Astoria Houses Resident Association have been leading and fighting for decades so that Astoria Houses can be a springboard of opportunity for the children that live there. This campaign is just the latest example of that,” said Debra-Ellen Glickstein, Executive Director of NYC Kids RISE. “One of the underpinnings of the Save for College Program is the connectivity within and across communities. Our children will be successful when we recognize our collective responsibility to them and one another. This effort epitomizes this ethos.”
“I am filled with joy to join my neighbors as we celebrate this milestone for the entire Astoria Houses community,” said Nadia Landy, Save for College Program Parent and Astoria Houses Resident. “ The Save For College Program is truly life changing. I want my daughter to be able to pursue whatever career path she chooses, and this historic investment in our children’s futures will help make that a reality.”
“Congratulations to the Astoria Houses Residents Association on this historic achievement and investment in their children,” said Jon and Mindy Gray, Co-Founders of the Gray Foundation. “Higher education plays a critical role in expanding opportunity, and we are proud to have partnered with the CIty and the Department of Education to help launch the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program so that all children can dream big and have the support they need to achieve their dreams.”
“The racial wealth gap is a persistent and growing challenge that impedes intergenerational economic opportunity for our communities. The Save for College Program provides an important infrastructure for the private, public and social sectors to progressively drive more resources into communities of color. In a moment when our city and country is focused on addressing the racial inequities that continue to create barriers to economic mobility in our communities, the Astoria Houses Resident Association is leading the way in demonstrating how this platform can be used to systematically reduce racial wealth disparities in our city. I know that this important campaign to seed $1,000 for each child in Astoria Houses is just the tip of the iceberg of the Save for College Program’s wealth-building potential,” said Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor, Co-Founder of Urban Upbound and Senior Pastor of the Center of Hope International.
“We are blown away by the vision and leadership of Ms. Claudia Coger and the Astoria Houses Residents Association,” said Greg Russ, Chair and CEO of the New York City Housing Authority. “They are demonstrating exactly how communities can come together to invest in and show support for their children, from a critical early age. The Save for College Program is an innovative and effective platform for communities to build individual and community assets, and we look forward to partnering with NYC Kids RISE to bring the platform to other NYCHA communities. ”
“Far too many New Yorkers–especially low-income families, immigrant families, and communities of color–are systematically excluded from opportunities to build wealth,” said Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner and NYC Kids RISE Ex-Officio Director Lorelei Salas. “As COVID-19 continues to exacerbate existing economic disparities, the Save For College Program offers a much-needed window of opportunity to help ensure every family can access the inclusive financial tools they need for long term growth and stability. I am proud to partner with NYC Kids RISE and local leaders here in Queens as we work to expand this life-changing program.”
“The Astoria Houses Resident Association and NYC Kids RISE’s historic $184,000 community scholarship is going to make an incredible difference in people’s lives,” said Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY). “This program will give these families the foundation to save for college, build wealth, and combat inequities in higher education achievement for Black and brown students. The Save For College Program goes a long way to systematically reduce racial wealth disparities and I hope will serve as a model for communities across the city and country.”
“I want to congratulate Ms. Coger, the Astoria Houses Residents Association and NYC Kids RISE for their innovative work to ensure our young people have a fighting chance at getting a college degree,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. “I cannot tell you how important higher education is for helping our young people rip down the walls of inequality, especially for our youth living in public housing who traditionally did not have access to adequate resources. This initiative shows that when we come together as a community, nothing can stop us from rising up and achieving success.”
“Achieving equity and addressing systemic inequality will take generational efforts and I am proud to work with NYC Kids RISE and the Astoria Houses Tenants Association, who are fighting to deliver meaningful change to a legion of our community’s young people,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris.
“Today’s celebration is a tremendous achievement for the Astoria Houses Resident Association, NYC Kids RISE and all the educators, parents and students involved,” said Assemblymember Cathy Nolan. “This landmark $1,000 investment in the educational futures of each of the 184 Astoria Houses students enrolled in the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program sends a clear message to our children that we believe in them and over time this investment should grow so that they will have meaningful funds to support achieving their dreams. Today’s celebration shows us how the Save for College Program could positively impact the lives of all of our city’s public school students in the years ahead.”
“Building a strong financial foundation and demonstrating community support for all our children are at the heart of what we have been working to build through the Save for College Program. These are both critical in making sure our kids continue to have options for their future, despite the current crisis. I am proud to partner with the Astoria Houses Tenants Organization, NYC Kids RISE and so many other stakeholders on this important campaign. It is more important than ever to provide our communities with the reminder of the promise of education and the future,” said Council Member Costa Constantinides.
“Access to higher education is critical to economic mobility, and children of color have been historically cut off from opportunities to build wealth and attain a college degree,” said Sideya Sherman, Executive Director of the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity and EVP, Community Engagement & Partnerships, NYCHA. “Through the Save For College Program, we can not only help reduce economic disparities but also offer children the tools and support systems they need to build a foundation for long term success. The Astoria Houses Community Scholarship Campaign is a shining example of how we can build long-lasting change rooted in community.”
“We are proud to partner with NYC Kids RISE and support the data and evaluation work of its Save for College Program: a community-centered, asset-building initiative for the next generation of New Yorkers,” said Matthew Klein, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity. “Today, we celebrate the Astoria Houses community and its friends and neighbors, as we witness the deep support for the aspirations of its children and families.”
“Too often, bright and ambitious students are held back from educational and professional success because they lack the support and financial means to get to and through higher education,” said Dora Danner, Principal, P.S. 234 – The School of Performing Arts and Technology, who participated in a College and Career Community Panel Discussion for the virtual celebration. “I’m proud that my school district and community are participating in the Save For College Program to expand access to universal college savings and to help students of all backgrounds dream big and keep going. Every child deserves a chance to reach their full potential and the Astoria Houses’ Residents Association and the Save for College Program community are helping to provide local families the tools, support and foundation to do just that.”
“To the children of Astoria Houses: we know the road ahead may not always be easy, but you are part of a community with a rich history and you already have some money for college and you aren’t even in middle school yet, the future is bright,”said Marion Jeffries, Former President of Astoria/LIC NAACP Chapter. “With this investment, we can help ensure each child will have access to real financial assets that will grow over time, and that will help them unlock greater opportunities in the years ahead. This effort has also allowed the whole community to come together to not only let our children know we support them, but to work together and break down the systemic barriers that may otherwise stand in our children’s way. ”
“As a college graduate and former resident of Astoria Houses, I understand the barriers to higher education for kids growing up in communities like mine firsthand,” said Gabby Malave, current Coro Fellow in Public Affairs and Astoria Houses Alumna. “We are faced with a myriad of challenges from the moment we are born when it comes to building wealth, saving enough to go to college, and finding the support everyone needs to succeed. The Save For College Program changes that. I am proud to support the Astoria Houses’ Residents Association as they work to ensure that young people like me have a fair chance at attaining a college degree and following their dreams.”
“We are glad to be a part of a community that is working to support its children from every direction in achieving their educational and career goals. We are proud that our School District has the Save for College Program, which is providing a mechanism for us to come together to make sure that every child will have a real financial asset when they graduate high school. We are glad to support this campaign for the children of Astoria Houses. Thank you to the Astoria Houses Tenants Organization and President Claudia Coger for her leadership,” said Anju J. Rupchandani, Executive Director of Zone 126.
“We are proud to support Ms. Coger and the Astoria Houses Tenants Organization in their Community Scholarship Campaign to offer college and career training scholarships to the children of Astoria. The COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated how important it is for us all to come together to support each other now and in the future,” said Maryam Shariat, Co-Founder, Astoria Mutual Aid Network.
About the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program
The NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program is a public-private-community partnership that provides families, schools, and communities with a way to work together to save for their children’s futures. It’s a universal scholarship and savings platform designed to make college and career training more accessible and achievable for all NYC public school students—regardless of their family’s income or immigration status. NYC Kids RISE, a nonprofit organization, manages the Save for College Program in partnership with the NYC Department of Education and the City of New York.
About NYC Kids RISE
NYC Kids RISE is a nonprofit organization working to expand economic opportunity and equity by providing families, schools, and communities with a way to work together to save for their children’s education. Building on the dreams and expectations that families have for their children’s futures, NYC Kids RISE aims to make attending and graduating from college and career training more achievable for all NYC public school students—regardless of where they come from or how much their families have in the bank.
NYC Kids RISE manages the Save for College Program in partnership with the NYC Department of Education and the City of New York, with founding support from the Gray Foundation. Each NYC Scholarship Account is opened with a $100 seed investment from NYC Kids RISE, with additional opportunities for matching funds and contributions from organizations, businesses, and community members. A three-cohort pilot was launched in 2017; NYC Kids RISE is now in its fourth year in School District 30 and hopes to expand the program to reach all NYC public school students.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Rendy Desamours, [email protected]