Monday, June 16, 2014
United Way To Receive $52 Million Over Four Years To Help Turn New York City Schools Into Services Hubs
Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration is taking a first step toward meeting a campaign pledge to turn at least 100 schools into community hubs that link families to services such as health clinics, dental screenings, job training and parenting workshops.
Deputy Mayor Richard Buery said Monday the city will pass a state grant for delinquency prevention worth $13 million a year for four years to the United Way of New York City, which will help identify about 40 schools and nonprofit partners that can team up in high-poverty areas this fall. He said it would take no additional city money and the contract was approved by the city's Panel for Educational Policy.
Bringing services inside schools will help families struggling with hunger, unstable housing, language barriers and other problems that can hinder academic achievement, Mr. Buery said. "It's not necessarily about new dollars, it's about coordinating resources where they exist so kids can come to school worrying about nothing but sitting in class and learning," he said...