East Harlem Tutorial Program Celebrates its Graduates & the ‘Mosaic’ That Supports Their Journey Through College

Philanthropists, Scholars, and Families Come Together to Raise $4 Million for East Harlem Education Movement & Announcement of New Community-Based High School NEW YORK CITY – On May 20, East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP) will bring together more than 600 community, civic, and business leaders to honor the college-bound seniors who have participated in its renowned after-school program, as well as celebrate the launch of EHTP’s own community-based public high school opening this August.The organization, known for its impressive college completion rates (70 percent, six times the national average for students from low-income households), and leadership in the anti-racism educational movement, leverages the event to fund core initiatives.

Event Chairs Stacy & Jonathan Pollack are leading the charge to raise $4 million alongside Vice Chairs that include noted philanthropists and civic leaders Marilyn and Jim Simons, Lili Lynton and Michael Ryan, Judith Gibbons and Francesco Scattone, Cassie and William Rahm, and Cindy and Brian Gavin.Taking place at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, the event’s theme is “Our Mosaic: Then & Now” — a nod to the diverse and vibrant groups of supporters, mentors, educators, and volunteers that allow EHTP to flourish year after year. “Our Mosaic” is a literal and figurative representation of the organization’s 61-year history, inspired by the stunning piece that legendary muralist Manny Vega created to depict EHTP’s original building.“EHTP is a coming together of diverse backgrounds, ideas, and thinking,” said Executive Director Jeff Ginsburg. “We are grateful to our supporters, and inspired and informed by our neighborhood which, despite being ignored by institutional structures for decades, boasts an extraordinarily rich history.

Tonight we join together to assert that all children deserve a great education.

Highlights of the 33rd Annual Benefit include:

• A welcome from EHTP Board Chair Joan Solotar and Alumni Council Co-Chair Jennifer Perez

• Remarks by Jeff Ginsburg about the organization’s vision for the future and EHTP’s commitment to racial equity work

• News about EHTP’s first-ever public charter high school, opening this fall

• A musical performance by the East Harlem Scholars Academy Middle School Ensemble

• A keynote by graduating high school senior Diana Galindo-Linares.

Ms. Galindo-Linares was bullied and struggled academically in her early school years, but followed her mother’s advice: “Si caes siete veces, sube ocho” (“If you fall seven times, rise eight times”). Diana plans to attend City College of New York in August.

EHTP’s leadership will also recognize community leader Helen Webber, who passed away in December.

EHTP began in 1958 when Mrs. Webber began hosting a children's reading group in her living room. Her passion for learning, belief in the potential of East Harlem youth, and commitment to social justice -- as well as her urgings to “read, read read” -- have been the guiding force behind EHTP since its inception.

Flash forward some six decades, and EHTP has expanded into the multi-site program that it is today. Providing thousands of students with high-quality, tuition-free academic and enrichment activities, EHTP has an ambitious goal -- to reach 25 percent of East Harlem youth by 2025, providing key services and supports as they realize their best possible selves.For more information or interview requests, please contact Wende Gozan Brown at wbrown@ehtp.org.# # #