WHERE LEARNING NEVER ENDS

Crown Heights Service Center, Inc. (CHSC) has served as a "Beacon of Hope" to Brooklyn locals for more than 30 years. While the not-for-profit organization was formerly incorporated in 1982, its roots can be traced back to the 1970's when founder and community activist Gwendolyn Harmon sought to respond to the needs of a growing population unprepared for the ravages of drug addiction, changing economy, and lack of compassion for their fellow neighbor. The Center is situated in a diverse section within the Brooklyn neighborhood where it derives its name. According to the 2010 census, Community Boards 8 and 9 have over 96,000 residents living within 1.6 square miles and over 20,000 children under 18, with 16.4% living in single female-headed households. Additionally, 36.6% of children under 18 live in households below the Federal Poverty level. The median household income stands at $41,700. This amount is $9,000 less than the New York City average. Within Crown Heights the Agency partners include, but are not limited to the 77th Pet Council, PS 93, PS 289, Crown Heights Branch of NY Public Library and Union United Methodist Church Caring for children and youth during out-of-school time has become a pervasive family challenge. Workforce trends indicate there are more working parents who spend more time at work that ever before (The After-School Corporation, 1999). The widespread need to find safe, affordable arrangements for their children is reflected in a recent C.S. Mott Foundation/J.C. Penny national poll in which the clear majority of respondents (86%) believe afterschool and out-of-school programs are a necessity. The Crown Heights Institute for Leadership Development (CHILD) was created as a means of cultivating and expanding the minds and creativity levels of the youth of the community. The After-school program operates 5 days a week for 3 hours each day. The Summer Program operates 5 days a week from 8am - 6pm. When school is not in session and during the Summer, the Institute provides an all-day schedule of activities. Summer is the season when youth are likely to engage in risky activities. It is one of the personal goals of CHILD to provide participants with a cultivated and overall dynamic summer. The CHILD Summer Enrichment Program give youth between the ages of 7-14 a deeper appreciation for the creative arts; strengthen individual character and leadership skills; and foster positive, lifelong health and nutrition practices. An assessment showed the neighborhood offered few comprehensive after-school and summer programs that engaged children, 7-14 years old in positive, life-affirming activities that promote academic excellence and artistic appreciation in a structured and nurturing environment. According to the local Community District Needs Report, Crown Heights youth have higher suspension rates than the city average (16.6% vs.14.1%); engage in increased acts of violence (18.1% vs. 16.6%); and become involved in gang activity at an early age (12 years, 8 months). CHILD engage youth, ages 8-14 in a 6-week holistic and interactive exploration of personal creativity, individual life goals, and making healthy choices. Participants gain a more in-depth understanding and appreciation of the neighborhood and larger world they live in; discuss the traits needed to become productive adults; and begin to build the necessary skills to sustain a healthy lifestyle. The purpose of the program is to; help children improve their interpersonal communication skills, develop self-esteem and encourage team work, enhance academic skills, spark intellectual curiosity and encourage them to explore their interests and expand their worldview. As part of its comprehensive, wrap-around approach, CHILD impact both the community and youth residents by offering a model program based on respect, knowledge, and compassion. The four components have a major impact in the lives of the participants by expanding their understanding of the world, increase their self-confidence and help them develop creative visions for the future. The change in their lives are reflected in their perspectives of the world around them, and impact their individual families and their peers.

The overall Mission of CHILD is both ‘comprehensive and holistic’. The Institute is designed to identify in each child their areas of strength and weakness and to assess how the programs offered in each of the four components will be used to prepare them for their next level.

Currently in Crown Heights there is no after-school comprehensive approach to Child growth and development. If a child is not enrolled in a Charter School with an abundance of resources, parents/families are left on their own to identify those resources they deem as necessary. Many times, the associated costs are prohibitive and so the child ends up not having the experience that would greatly enrich their lives.

The overall goal is to walk the child from Elementary school through Middle school – helping them prepare for their future and their responsible and rightful place in society.

If we do not prepare our Children for the future they will be systematically bypassed. Industry is looking for ways to invest money into youth programs because this is also their future.

It is imperative we create programs designed to foster; Academic Excellence, Character and Leadership Development, Health and Nutrition as well as Out-of-the-Box Creative Arts.

The Crown Heights Institute for Leadership Development has 4 Core Values: To Thrive - we use love to encourage, empower and enable youth and adults to learn and develop positive life skills To Grow - we respond to the ever-changing educational and emotional needs of the community To Instill Loyalty - we teach the importance of helping others as you have been helped To Honor Our Legacy - we demonstrate accountability, character, and integrity in all our actions.