Astoria Houses tenant group raises $184,000 to help local kids head to college

The city-funded college savings accounts of more than 180 Astoria elementary school students got a big boost, thanks to donations from the community. Photo via Gofundme

By Rachel Vick

More than 180 elementary school students living in the Astoria Houses are getting some help on the road to college after community members added $1,000 to each of their city-funded savings accounts.  

Kids RISE Save for College Program provides $100 to kindergarteners living in certain school districts, including Western Queens’ District 30. An online fundraiser started by the Astoria Houses Tenants Organization raised another $184,079, which will be distributed among 184 students in kindergarten through third grade.

“Our children are incredible,” wrote Astoria Houses Tenants Organization President Claudia Coger on the Astoria Houses GoFundMe. “We want every single one of them to know that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.” 

Since June, the campaign has met and raised each of its goals, including raising an extra $50,000 to support newly registered students in less than a month.

The Save for College program was launched three years ago in Western Queens to help families save money and prepare for college.

The event will feature submissions to the “I am a Superhero” student art show, a read-along of Vice President Kamala Harris’ book “Superheroes are Everywhere,” and a panel on community support for college and career readiness with local parents.

The event will be streamed on Facebook live on Feb. 6 at 10 a.m.