Fall is here! While New York City’s children and families have kicked off a new school year, we’ve been gearing up here at CCC for another productive year advocating on their behalf.

There’s a lot of work ahead of us to make New York City a better place to be a child. But looking back on the past year, we have a lot to build on. Here are some of the highlights of what we’ve been able to accomplish together:

• 25 more Family Court Judges to minimize court delays for thousands of children and families throughout the state.
• $340 million from the State in support of the City’s plan so over 51,000 NYC 4-year olds are attending full day pre-K this year.
• $145 million to expand after-school programs to all New York City middle school students.
• Universal free lunch is now available for New York City’s middle school students.
• Avonte’s law passed and was signed requiring the Department of Education to evaluate elementary and District 75 schools for audible alarms on side doors.
• The City Administration secured State approval to create a new housing subsidy program for homeless families and to reinstate the homeless priority for NYCHA facilities.
• Governor Cuomo created a time-limited commission that is currently underway creating a plan to Raise the Age of criminal responsibility in New York.

These successes would not have been possible without you! But the work is not over – we still need your help to make New York a better place to be a child. 

There is more advocacy needed in the year ahead and we hope you will join us in some of this work. It will include advocating for new financial vehicles that help families save for college; expanding early education for children ages 0 to 3; expanding after-school programs for elementary and high school students; increasing the number of children in the Summer Youth Employment Program; passing legislation to Raise the Age of Criminal Responsibility; increasing funding for child welfare services; and expanding school-based health and mental health services.

So please continue to join us in knowing the facts, sharing the facts and being part of the solution. Stay tuned to our emails and Facebook and Twitter for regular updates on opportunities to learn more and get involved.

Together we can ensure that every child is healthy, housed, educated and safe!

And, as always, we also count on your financial support to make our work possible.