“I began my journey in June 2014 as a substitute teacher with the Head Start program in Corona, driven by a deep desire to make a difference in my community. My motivation to become an Early Head Start home visitor grew when a coworker shared the powerful impact an early childhood specialist can have.

When deciding how to mark Juneteenth at our DYCD-funded Oceanside Cornerstone Community Center, Program Director Nelson Sarweh knew he wanted to do something that would be both meaningful and celebratory for the youth in the afterschool program and youth council. Nelson and his team decided on a Juneteenth end-of-year barbecue with celebration, performances, and reflection.

Judeen and her daughter, following an afterschool performance in which her daughter participated. In 2023, The Child Center of NY received a grant from the MacMillan Family Foundation to support the launch of the Parents as Partners Project (PAPP) across the 20 NYC DOE-funded Community Schools in Queens and Brooklyn for which The Child Center serves as lead community-based organization.