 The New York Chapter of Say Yes was founded in 2004, launching with 372
students and over 500 siblings, making it the largest Chapter to date.
The Harlem Program operates in five schools located throughout Harlem:
P.S. 57, P.S. 83, P.S. 161, P.S. 180, and P.S. 182.
Students in the Harlem Program enjoy many of the same benefits their fellow students in other Say Yes Chapters enjoy, including the following:
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Student Scholarships - Scholarships for two-year, four-year, and vocational institutes to high school graduates;
- Family Scholarships - Parent and sibling financial assistance at two-year, four-year, or vocational institutes;
- Academic Support - Diagnostic assessment of each student's strengths, along with early literacy supports; after-school programs in reading and math; and "Power Hour" tutoring for students at risk of not advancing to the next grade level. Say Yes also provides reading specialists at each school to help eliminate literacy/comprehension gaps relative to peers and grade level;
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Summer Programming - Summer programs that include academic support, cultural and recreational activities, and career exploration opportunities, utilizing the Children Defense Fund's Freedom Schools model;
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Family Outreach, Support and Advocacy - Program Managers conduct home visits and meetings to form trusting, collaborative relationships with Say Yes families and youth aimed at helping them select appropriate courses and navigate the college admissions process;
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Social Work/Psychological Services - Social services to families, including counseling, intervention, and conflict resolution. Several Program Managers are licensed social workers and social work interns supply additional services.
In addition, Harlem Program Say Yes students and families receive the following services:
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Legal Assistance - This includes free legal services to Say Yes families offered through the international law firm Bingham McCutchen, which holds "office hours" during the week at the schools and provides a 24-hour hotline;
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Healthcare - Facilitated access to area health care providers enables Say Yes families to receive free physical and mental health services as well as dental care.
Columbia University's Teachers College has been a crucial partner for the Harlem Program. Through this partnership, Teachers College provides professional development for teachers in areas such as literacy, the teaching of writing and math, and young adolescent development. Columbia has long invested significant resources in developing outreach programs for the benefit of Harlem's children and families, and is, thus, a natural partner for Say Yes in Harlem.
Successes
Because the Harlem program is in its early stages we do not have statistical data at this time. We do, however have success stories in the making.
Read about the Family of Amber and Amanda
InsideSchools.org
A group of committed public school parents, children's
advocates, journalists and teachers dedicated to improving public education
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schools, we seek to increase support for public education and to make the public
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