East Harlem Tutorial Program’s Summer Session Goes Virtual; Offers Academic Support, Activities and More

FREE PROGRAM PROVIDES STIPENDS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOR OLDER YOUTH

(New York, NY) — East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP), a 63-year-old community-based organization, is holding free virtual summer programming in July 2020. An online version of EHTP’s summer camp, the program offers a mix of academics, activities and social-emotional support for rising first through 10th graders.

“While camps have been told that they can reopen this summer, we recognize that COVID-19 has hit East Harlem harder than any other Manhattan neighborhood,” said Mel Jackman, Managing Director for Out-of-School-Time at EHTP. “We are committed to keeping our community safe and providing the same quality programming that keeps children sharp for the upcoming school year, all while making sure they have a ton of fun!” 

A community-based organization, EHTP will give preference to East Harlem families; however, all are welcomed to apply. The organization will supply technology as needed so that children can fully participate in programming, and will mail supply kits to rising first through eighth graders whose “clubs” require materials. The range of club offerings includes arts & crafts, comic art, dance, coding, debate team and much more.

In addition, in response to the city needing to cancel its Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), the organization is ensuring older students have exposure to job training and the ability to earn a stipend. Students under age 16 will take career development workshops, similar to SYEP’s youth programming, while older students will be paid for mentoring younger students in their academic subjects.

Families interested in applying can visit www.ehtp.org/summer and complete the online application.

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About East Harlem Tutorial Program: EHTP prepares students with the academic skills, strength of character and emotional well-being to excel in high school and college, to lead in their communities, and to realize their best possible selves. Over six decades, the organization has grown from a small tutoring program into a multi-site college preparatory and after-school program, and is the operator of five Pre-K to 9 schools and a Teaching Residency.

#BlackOutTuesday

Dear Friends,

Since 1958, East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP) has been working to support students as they become leaders in their communities and realize their best possible selves. We do this because we are committed to promoting a just society, free from racism, oppression, and bigotry.

Over the last couple of weeks, we have seen the senseless murders of Black people at the hands of police and cavalier whites who have no regard for the lives of our fellow human beings. We too question whether racism is getting worse in America, or if instead, “it’s just getting filmed.”

In alignment with our Core Values and our ongoing work to be an anti-racist organization, we stand with our students, families, the East Harlem community and others who are declaring that Black Lives Matter.

In solidarity with #BlackOutTuesday and #TheShowMustBePaused, today we have paused all of our teaching, learning, and work organization-wide, to create intentional space for and with our Black staff members to focus on self-care.

On behalf of the EHTP community, our Board of Trustees is donating $10,000 to Color of Change. We urge you to learn about them and other organizations as well, and take action to promote an anti-racist society. Additional sources include:

Support Protesters

The Movement for Black Lives

Anti-Racism Education Resources

Thank you and best regards,

Jeff Ginsburg
Executive Director, EHTP
Executive Director & Co-Founder, East Harlem Scholars Academies (EHTP Schools)

From Our Executive Director

As we kick off EHTP’s Day of Giving, the virtual incarnation of our annual benefit to support our COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund, we are grateful to those of you who have shown such remarkable support for our community. 

As Jeff Ginsburg notes in the video address above, generations of underinvestment in our community have led to cracks in its foundation that have become all the more apparent as this crisis unfolds. A silver lining? Our educators and staff who refuse to let our scholars, or their families down. We are community-based, college-bound — and we place equal emphasis on each part of the phrase.  

Throughout the day we will show you just what that means, as we release new video footage that celebrates the first year of East Harlem Scholars Academy High School and the seniors graduating our after-school programming. We typically share these glimpses into EHTP at the benefit, where we raise the majority of our operating costs — but this is no typical year. 

That is why our Day of Giving is so very important. Gifts large and small make a difference in our efforts to keep scholars connected during COVID-19, and ensure that our families have critical resources during this very challenging time. Our generous Board of Trustees will match all donations made today, so please do what you’re able! EHTP has been here for 62 years, and we will be here for 62 more — thanks to you.

EHTP, East Harlem Scholars Academies Among First to Fully Implement Virtual Learning

Effort Highlights Value of Community-Based Organizations’ Strong Ties to Quickly Assess and Address Educational Needs

(East Harlem, NY) — Amid a citywide school shutdown, East Harlem Scholars Academies launched a full virtual-learning program for its scholars Monday morning, distributing laptops to more than 500 families, as well as Wifi access to almost 200 of them. 

It is just one of the steps that the school network, an extension of the 62-year-old nonprofit East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP), is taking to ensure that its community of 1,200 students can keep up with their studies and stay in touch with their school community. Educators facilitated lessons through Google Classroom; meanwhile, the organization’s High School after-school program launched virtual tutoring via Zoom. The organization’s virtual College Mentoring Program will start this evening.

In addition, EHTP is providing free grab-and-go breakfast and lunch meals daily to its students and their families at its 2050 Second Avenue site. The organization has also converted the gym at that facility into a library for College Scholars, whose campuses are closed (to ensure social distancing, capacity is capped).

“East Harlem Tutorial Program has always been incredibly dedicated to the community,” said Executive Director Jeffrey Ginsburg. “I’m so proud of our team of educators, who worked tirelessly over the weekend to ensure we wouldn’t miss a beat in providing a quality education to our scholars. It is a testament to their passion and commitment that we were one of the first in New York City to roll out a virtual learning plan.”

EHTP closed its physical spaces on March 7 and 8 for precautionary deep cleaning; amid rising safety concerns, East Harlem Scholars Academies made the decision to close their doors on Friday, March 13. The community-based organization, acutely attuned to the educational inequities families of color often experience, sent school surveys in advance of the shutdown to assess technological needs. This allowed the organization to be proactive in its planning, and serve its families in real time. Scholars had little to no interruptions in their learning.

To date, neither EHTP nor its Scholars Academies have any confirmed cases of COVID-19. While the organization is following Department of Education guidelines and is closing its doors until at least April 20, its leadership is prepared to continue virtual learning for as long as necessary. 

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About East Harlem Tutorial Program: EHTP prepares students with the academic skills, strength of character and emotional well-being to excel in high school and college, to lead in their communities, and to realize their best possible selves. Over six decades, the organization has grown from a small tutoring program into a multi-site college preparatory and after-school program, and is the operator of five Pre-K to 9 schools and a Teaching Residency.

Closing Buildings, But Opening Doors

Supporting Our Scholars During the COVID-19 Pandemic

As New York City grapples with the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP) has determined that the best course of action is to close its facilities until at least Monday, March 23. This includes our five East Harlem Scholars Academies, as well as our after-school programming and Central office. While we have no confirmed cases of COVID-19, our organization wants to do its part to keep our community healthy — all while supporting our scholars. 

It was a tough choice to make — we are well aware of the impact that closures have on our families. But with 62 years of academic support under our belt, we’re not about to let go of learning. To serve our scholars and their families, we are:

–Implementing a virtual learning plan for all East Harlem Scholars Academy students, and providing Chromebooks and WiFi to students who need them; 

–Providing free daily grab-and-go breakfast and lunch at 2050 Second Avenue for all of our scholars and their families;

–Keeping in contact with our after-school students and College Scholars, many of whom are home from closed college campuses, to ensure they have resources to continue studying. 

Want to support these efforts? Our generous Board of Directors is offering to match all gifts between now and April 20. Donations of all sizes make a difference — especially when you can double your impact! Stay healthy — and help us #BuildLove today!

Boss Up: College Scholars Explore Careers Paths at Annual Summit

Getting into college is tough. Staying in can be even harder. And adulting? It can be downright stressful, even under the best of circumstances.

That’s why East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP) launched College Scholars in 2012 — to provide students with the support and resources to successfully navigate the complexities of higher education and beyond. A program highlight: our full-day Summit held annually in January. An opportunity to reconnect with fellow students and attend sessions designed to support their learning, Summit exposes our scholars to the possibilities that await them.

“We may be ‘Community Based. College Bound,’ but we want to ensure that we also open doors for our scholars,” said Vynessa Ortz, director of College Access and Success. “Summit is designed with the future in mind.”

This year, scholars attended workshops focusing on career, social justice, and health and wellness, receiving guidance on real-world situations — from applying to graduate school, to developing personal elevator pitches, to discussing how to safely exercise their rights as students of color interfacing with law enforcement.

And to ensure that our young women scholars can learn from role models who are forging the way and breaking the glass ceiling, EHTP held its 2nd Annual Be a Boss panel and networking session. Because while many of us proudly proclaim that the Future is Female, EHTP also recognizes that the job marketplace hasn’t necessarily gotten the memo.

Scholars joined women industry leaders to discuss charting their paths in the professional world. Panelists Esther Mireya Tejeda of Entercom, Rosemonde Pierre-Louis of NYU’s McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research, and Nicole Davison Fox of Summit Rock Advisors, fielded questions from Leslie Ortiz, an EHTP alumna with Aya Healthcare.

Panelists described various avenues that scholars can take after college, followed by “speed dating” networking sessions with more than 30 professionals representing the fields of entertainment, law, business, the nonprofit sector and more. “This event is a perfect opportunity for our young women to see themselves in executive roles and as industry leaders,” said Vynessa Ortiz.

Jocelyn Roman, one of our College Scholars, agrees. “EHTP showed us so many career possibilities, and the fact that we met female professionals was even better. I’m passionate about women’s rights, and it gives me joy that other women are succeeding, that not only men can do these things.” Roman, who did some serious networking and has an upcoming informational interview with one of the professionals in attendance, noted, “A lot of these women are really powerful, and it meant a lot that they made the time to talk to us.”

What else did the scholars learn from these boss ladies? A lot. And for those students who feel less than sure about where they will land after graduation, there was a reassuring message:
It’s ok to shift course.

“I actually wanted to be Diana Ross,” said Pierre-Louis.”From the time I was a young girl, I had been signing, dancing. I really thought my entire life that I was going to be on Broadway.” At the same time, “I always wanted to be at the adult table talking about politics and social justice. … Being able to pursue multiple things … was one of the best things about college. Sometimes you go in thinking you’re going to be one thing and come out something completely different.”

Fox added that there “was a moment in my career where I was in the job I went to grad school to get. It looked good on my resume, but I was not feeling excited to get up in the morning to go to work.” She reassessed, then created the career that she wanted. Tejeda concurred, and said for her, “it wasn’t a straight path.”

The group also got down to brass tacks with some practical advice.“One of the biggest challenges that I have routinely with the younger professionals … is that they have an understanding of the job that is not the actual job,” said Tejeda. “Get as much actual experience doing the work. Intern, volunteer, go for informationals, meet people who do this work. Really understand the industry so you know what you’re getting yourself into.”

Meet Our Star Scholar: Kennadie M!

Kennadie is a 7th grader at East Harlem Scholars Academy Middle School II, located in the historic Jackie Robinson Educational Complex. Why is Kennadie this month’s star scholar? She’s not afraid of a challenge, and represents our Core Values — especially Courage, Originality and Achievement!

Q: What is your favorite thing about coming to school?

A: My favorite part is the work, because the work is challenging. …All of the kids are participating. They’re really engaged in the lessons and they’re showing what they know.

Q: Any ideas of what you want to be when you grow up?

A: I want to be a teacher. I want to help out kids like my teachers do, and I want to see kids succeed like I want to succeed. I’m really bad at math, but I want to learn so I can teach other kids.

Q: What do you like to do outside of school?

A: I like to do sports. I like to play football, because it’s challenging. I like to go for things that are challenging … so when I get older I know how face tough situations.

Q: And what’s challenging about football?

A: I feel like I get judged a lot by playing football. Like if I’m on the train I see people staring because [I’m a girl and] I have a football in my hand. But I think that it’s good for me because it toughens me up and helps me have the right mindset for the future.

Q: What else do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I like to hang out with my friends, we go out to Popeye’s and McDonalds. We see other kids from Scholars I and Scholars II, we go together. I also like dancing, and I like to draw and do art.

Q: You recently joined our student recruitment campaign. Why do you think other kids should come here?

A: The teachers actually care about your education and want you to succeed. They put in the time and the effort. … it’s way different than other schools that I’ve been to. This is not only preparing me for high school and college, it’s preparing me for the real world too.

College Scholars Celebrate Successes at Annual Dinner

Every November our College Scholars are greeted by their own cheerleading squad — the staff and mentors at East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP), who are on hand to help them navigate college and the challenges it can present. This time, when they returned from school for the Thanksgiving break, they were greeted by a basketball legend as well.

Last night, NBA All-Star Charles Oakley joined EHTP’s annual welcome home dinner to celebrate our College Scholars’ accomplishments and encourage them as they head into finals. And he cooked the meal to boot! The New York Knicks top rebounder, who in retirement has become a renowned chef, whipped up a feast including turkey meatballs, mac and cheese, broccoli and bread pudding, to kick off Thanksgiving week.

In this season of gratitude, he also encouraged our College Scholars to remember those who gave them their start: “All your parents want you to do is go to school, stay dedicated, get a degree, stay grounded … they put the hard work in. Show them, ‘Hey, I’m going to carry that torch for the rest of life and make sure you’re ok’.”

What did our College Scholars think of our celebrity chef? Ambar Brito, who is earning her Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts Management, had this to say: “I think it’s really cool to have somebody go from a basketball career to cook, because it’s not easy to do.” She added that coming to the annual event “makes me feel like I’m at home.” “I’ve been a part of EHTP since I was in the second grade,” she explained. “It’s fun to come here, break from school and see all the familiar faces.”

EHTP’s College Scholars program, launched in 2012, provides students the support and resources to successfully navigate the complexities of higher education. Scholars have access to academic and career advising, tutoring, annual scholarships and assistance with securing internships, managing personal finances and navigating the financial aid process.

Together our dedicated staff and students experience some great outcomes: our Scholars graduate four-year colleges at eight times the national rate of students from lower-income households. As they discover their paths, we are thankful to be part of their journey.

Showing our Scholars the Power of ‘Yes’

Meet Arisleidy Fuchu! A founding member of our East Harlem Scholars Academy High School, Fuchu manages its Restorative Justice Program —  which puts the school’s philosophy of “Love. Liberate. Heal” into practice. The concept of restorative justice may be new to some, so Fuchu breaks it down in the final installment of our Latinx Heritage Month blog series: 

“Restorative justice invites everyone to develop a shared understanding of both the root causes and the effects of a conflict. It seeks to address the needs of those who have been harmed, while encouraging those who have caused harm to take responsibility,” she explains. While schools traditionally have handled “bad” behavior with some type of punishment, “restorative justice emphasizes the capacity of all people for healing, growth, and transformation through accountability, self-determination, and interconnection.”

Fuchu says her identity as an Afro-Dominican woman informs her work. “I grew up often hearing the word ‘no,’ with very few ‘yeses.’ My accent was too thick for debate class in 4th grade. Since Spanish was my first language, it was assumed I could not produce an essay on par with my peers. But I had parents who advocated and fought for me and my siblings to be treated with respect. They taught me the power of ‘yes’ without making apologies for who I am.” 

And this is exactly what she wants for her students. “I want our scholars to know the power of ‘yes,’ of being loved for who they are. The power of forgiveness, compassion, humility, strength. The power of visibility and knowledge, to stand in their truth and light.” 

Fuchu’s goal is to create a space where students feel heard and respected. “I think it is important to remember that these are kids and they will make mistakes. The idea is to always have a reset — a new beginning where they are not judged by their past, but by how they choose to show up.” If Love. Liberate. Heal is at the core of our anti-racism framework, she notes, it is up to the school leadership to demonstrate what this looks, feels and sounds like. 

It is in doing so, says Fuchu, that we can challenge the status quo. “We cannot educate from a place of mediocrity,” she says. “We have to believe that our scholars deserve more because of their humanity. No one has the right to take that from them.” If education is our liberating tool, she says, “then it is the way to uphold, uplift and love the people they choose to be.” 

For her, this parallels the significance of Latinx Heritage Month. “It is a celebration of my heritage, my people, our struggle. It is a recognition of the historical triumphs and obstacles we have overcome as people. … It is a celebration of the beauty, the complexity — an honoring of nuestra gente y cultural.” 

She adds, “I was raised with a deep pride in my culture and my people. In Latinx culture there is a song for everything — we are people who love and thrive through the rhythm of our music. There is nothing like mami’s sazon to make me happy.  I bring to work my love of music, my warmth, my laughter, my deep sense of social justice — all to ensure that our scholars are respected and loved.”