Organization helps raise $42 million for college funds for NYC students
NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Going to college can be very expensive, but now public school students across New York City are getting some needed financial help thanks to a program.
There was a huge celebration about the alumni’s contributions to that fund near City Hall, as a quarter of a million NYC students have college funds to help make their dreams happen.
PIX11’s Monica Morales first met Debra-Ellen Glickstein, the Founding Executive Director of NYC Kids Rise, in February 2021 at the Astoria Houses.
Now, thanks to Glickstein’s hard work, what started in one school district has blossomed. The program has grown to more than 280,000 New York City elementary school students with NYC Scholarships, with $42 million accumulated for their futures.
The idea is simple but revolutionary. Every kid gets an initial $100, and then families can take some additional steps to earn additional rewards into the scholarship account. Superintendent Jennifer Joynt of Community School District 8 says the program is a game changer.
Last year, NYC public elementary school alumni started a new special effort called the NYC Public School Alumni Community Scholarship to help raise money for students currently attending their school.
There are already nearly 100 Alumni who have led campaigns and sent messages of support to students, and as a result, nearly 6,000 third graders across 79 school communities will be receiving a NYC Public School Alumni Community Scholarship.