Why I Celebrate #EHTP60

I first became involved with East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP) when I was in 9th grade. I volunteered as a tutor every Saturday through high school. It made a big impact on me to have this one-on-one connection mentoring an elementary school student. It also made me think about how I had access to opportunities that were not available to kids in East Harlem. I knew then that I would want to stay involved with EHTP and support the organization in providing educational opportunities to East Harlem’s young people. And I have stayed involved ever since.

EHTP has grown in services and impact far beyond what I could ever have imagined when I was in high school. It is still grounded in the same values such as the importance of having mentors invested in the success of scholars. But EHTP has expanded its programs to include high-performing Pre-K to 12 schools, after-school programs for students at district schools, a College Scholars program, and the East Harlem Teaching Residency. This year we will offer more than 1,600 students a culturally responsive curriculum and a model that balances social-emotional growth and academic rigor. Even as we achieve great results, we haven’t lost sight that we are a community-based organization.

Our #BuildLove campaign celebrates the cultural diversity of East Harlem, shows that we welcome all families, and lets our community know that we are stronger together.This year my wife, Cassie, and I are honored to serve as Chairs of EHTP’s 60th Anniversary Benefit on May 21 at the American Museum of Natural History. I hope you will join us for this event and celebrate how much EHTP has achieved, meet our high school scholars, and get a sneak peak at our blueprint for the future.We are just beginning to see the incredible possibilities of our East Harlem Tutorial Program scholars. I am filled with such hope and excitement for our children, city, and country.

Join us!

Billy Rahm