Nonprofit Talk: Fostering opportunities for children during a pandemic
/
Rachael Gazdick is CEO of New York Edge. Photo courtesy of New York Edge
By Rachael Gazdick, as told to the Eagle
New York Edge, a Queens-based nonprofit, works to bridge the opportunity gap among underserved students. The organized serves 40,000 students and provides programs designed to improve academic performance, health and wellness, self-confidence, character and attitudes. COVID-19 has shifted the work, but not the mission. New York Edge CEO Rachael Gazdick described how the organization has adjusted to address the needs of kids and families during the coronavirus crisis.
How has your organization navigated the pandemic?
While New York Edge quickly adapted to challenging circumstances, we simultaneously developed a longer-term plan that would address summer for the 40,000 students we serve. We developed a trauma-informed curriculum for this summer’s programs that can be delivered online, or if possible, in person with numerous measures to create safe learning spaces for students in accordance with public health and safety rules.
Additionally, we continue to engage with our communities and implement innovative initiatives to help raise the critical funds needed for our vital programs. On May 21, New York Edge hosted a virtual fundraiser that welcomed more than 1,400 attendees and was hosted by FOX 5 Sports Anchor Tina Cervasio. The event included special appearances by rapper and producer Doug E. Fresh, New York Ranger Legend Adam Graves, and New York Knicks Legend John Starks, among others.
How are you now serving businesses in Queens?
As an organization that is based in Queens, New York Edge serves students and families throughout the borough through our tailored initiatives. We’re serving our community through virtual programming, and we’re also working diligently to ensure that local youth and families are able to enjoy their summer by pushing for the restoration of support for summer programs.
With the closure and/or limited access of NYC public pools, beaches and parks, afterschool and summer camp programs are the only option for working families across the city. Whether virtual or in-person, New York Edge stands ready to give students in Queens and all five boroughs the summer they need and deserve, while motivating them to lead healthy lifestyles, develop goals and ultimately prepare for the school year ahead. And as their parents and caregivers return to work, we want to make sure they have the peace of mind knowing that their children are taken care of through a safe, educational and empowering environment.
How are you balancing the needs of your members with the level of risk to your employees?
Our top priority is the health and safety of New York Edge students, employees and the communities in which we operate. Once the outbreak occurred, we quickly implemented stringent protocols to ensure the safety of our entire network and we successfully transitioned New York Edge programs to run virtually, in order to diminish any risk for our students and employees, while still providing youth with the tools and resources to succeed. We continue to follow all guidelines set by the NYC Department of Education, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and work closely with each of our schools and city agencies.
What types of support do you most need now?
We are focused on raising much-needed funds to support our programs, which are no cost to the families we serve. Earlier this month, New York Edge called on the City Council to resist Mayor de Blasio’s proposal for funding cuts to essential summer programs. Without summer programs, youth will not have access to initiatives that motivate them to succeed.
When youth have a safe and welcoming environment that fosters continued learning, they are more likely to have increased self-esteem, gain healthy lifestyle habits and lead paths to successful futures. New York Edge provides these opportunities for students by creating a space where they can interact with their peers, discover their passions and expand their horizons, and as a nonprofit organization, we need continued funding in order to continue providing these life-changing initiatives for our city’s next generation of leaders.
Members of the community are invited to support New York Edge’s mission to help students succeed both in and out of the classroom, by donating at newyorkedge.org/give.
What programs/services have you had to cut or scale back on?
At this time, New York Edge has postponed all in-person programming and events, but we’ve also had the opportunity to quickly and successfully introduce new initiatives into our curriculum. For example, as mentioned earlier, New York Edge recently partnered with Steven Van Zandt’s Rock and Roll Forever Foundation to provide students with TeachRock Distance Learning Packs, which feature music-driven activities and projects to introduce key concepts in social studies, language arts, STEAM, math, general music, and art, as well as social emotional learning. We also transitioned our fitness program, Mets on the Move, to an online format with our partner, the New York Mets.
What do you think the future holds for your sector as a result of the pandemic?
As the city’s largest provider of school-based afterschool and summer programming, New York Edge has always thrived on face-to-face interaction between our students and employees. These unprecedented circumstances have resulted in a complete shift in the way we operate, which will impact our programs well into the future. Whether in-person or virtual, these initiatives are essential and serve as a springboard to life beyond the classroom for countless students. We will continue to innovate in order to provide youth across all five boroughs with the opportunities to achieve their full potential. Our programs help students navigate challenges, gain confidence and establish a roadmap for success. Now, more than ever, afterschool and summer programs are vital for our students and we are committed to providing them.
