top of page

2025 IMPACT REPORT

2025-IMG0Graphics-01.png

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Mission Society Community, 

Each year, the Mission Society’s students, parents, and educators reaffirm that there is unyielding hope and possibility around every corner. With creativity, dedication, and heart, they write the stories of a better tomorrow, and show us the futures we can build together.

Our days over the last year were filled with invaluable lessons and creativity. We extended school day learning with math, science, and literacy activities that bolstered students’ academic confidence. We encouraged self-expression through the arts, hosting dance performances and making new visual art masterpieces. Students volunteered, worked paid internships, and tackled their college applications, building paths towards futures full of opportunity. Our educators encouraged and guided young scholars along the way, ensuring their year was full of joyful learning adventures. 

 

The Mission Society is shaped by people who lead with courage, perform simple acts of kindness, and face challenges with unrelenting hope, and we are grateful for these lessons and their example as we enter a new year. Thank you for bringing your own creativity, dedication, and heart to our work, and for teaching us about who we are and who we can be every day.

With this in mind, we are excited to share the impact we’ve achieved together last year, and to see what new stories we write together in the days ahead.

 

Sincerely, 




 

Elsie McCabe Thompson
President & CEO 

ElsieSig125.png
Elsie.jpg

OUR PROGRAMS

Power Academy

694 Power Academy students participated in academic enrichment, physical fitness, and arts programs that increased confidence, communication skills, and imagination at five schools in the Bronx and Manhattan.

Students’ literacy and STEM scores increased across all five schools.

Our social-emotional learning curriculum builds five critical SEL skills.

IMG_1736e.jpg
PHOTO-2025-07-03-17-57-34-5_edited.png

Elementary school students’ SEL scores increased an average of 12%.

Grade 4-8 students showed significant improvement in self-awareness and responsible decision making. 

​Students had 66,300​ hours of arts programming, as well as 10 hours of literacy learning per week.

We combated summer slide by keeping our doors open and facilitating educational lessons and art activities.

IMG_1800e.jpg

Celebrating Outstanding  Educators 

In December, Mission Society educator, Llina Garcia, was given a 2025 PASE Crystal Award in recognition of her hard work over the past 12 years - she has dedicated her career to uplifting young people through creativity, structure, and meaningful relationships.

“One thing I like about Ms. Llina is that she always makes challenging things fun and always finds strategies for us to feel better.”

5th-grade program participant at P.S. 192

“It is truly inspiring to see how she thinks of each child as if they were her own, always seeking activities and collaborations that allow us to provide a unique, enriching, and enjoyable educational experience, all while prioritizing the safety and well-being of every child.”
Tulia Perez, Program Aide at P.S. 192 

Screenshot 2026-01-16 at 4.59.05 PM.png

Visit from the Mayor 

Mayor Eric Adams joined us for the first day of Summer Rising. Summer Rising is a partnership between NYC Public Schools and the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). 

 

We were so grateful and honored to hear from our Power Academy participants, their parents, and the Mayor on what Summer Rising means to them. ⁠

IMG_1772e.jpg
IMG_1750e.jpg
IMG_1769-e.jpg

Summer Rising Showcase

Our summer program culminates in a showcase. In 2025, it included Cranium Crunch–a trivia competition, a timed educational geography game, our basketball final, and dance performances from all our program locations.

IMG_2204_edited.png
IMG_1958_edited.png
IMG_1906e_edited.png
IMG_1927e_edited.png
IMG_2071_edited.png
IMG_2245_edited.png
IMG_1894_edited.png

Level Up

Over 1,600 Level Up students received college and career readiness training, mental health support, and academic opportunities that built on the possibilities of their futures beyond school. 

 

All of our students received personal finance assistance, and training as greenhouse workers, security guards, food handlers, nail technicians, and more.

462 students made up the incredible Class of 2025 and kicked off their futures filled with promise.

60% of our graduates were accepted into college in 2025, up from 46% in 2024.

IMG_2912_edited_edited.png
IMG_3351(1).jpeg

238 students participated in paid internships in 2025, making a total of $671,282

Counselors supported 
562
students in career planning, resume writing, and financial literacy.

Our high school students had the opportunity to earn OSHA Certification to gain access to specialized positions. 

Students also participated in HVAC (Heating, ventilation,
and air conditioning) Employment Readiness Training.

IMG_3409(1)_edited.png

FIELD TRIPS AND EVENTS

Screenshot 2026-01-16 at 7.47_edited.png

College Campus Tours

Screenshot 2026-01-16 at 7.42.35 PM.png

RiseNY museum

IMG_4150.jpg

New York Aquarium

IMG_2497.jpg

Adventure Park Ropes Course

Screenshot 2026-01-16 at 7.45_edited.png

American Dream Mall 

Screenshot 2026-01-16 at 7.48.42 PM.png

Area 53 Laser Tag & Arcade

IMG_7168.jpg

30 Rock Christmas Tree

Expressing Gratitude

Board member and philantropst Jean Shafiroff hosted a Holiday Reception benefiting the Mission Society of New York City. Shafiroff emphasized the importance of the Mission Society’s work in education, job training, and mentorship programs. 

Screenshot 2026-01-22 at 1.43.33 PM.png
Screenshot 2026-01-22 at 1.49.17 PM.png

“The New York Mission Society is an organization I hold close to my heart, and I am thrilled to see so many supporters come together to amplify its mission.” Jean Shafiroff

 

We are deeply grateful for
Ms. Shafiroff's support.

(Photo Credit: PMC / Mark Saggliocco)

2025_Mission-Holiday.jpg

OUR SUPPORTERS

$ 1,000,000+
NYC Department of Education
NYC Department of Youth and Community Development

 

$100,000 to 999,999
New York City Council 

$50,000 to $99,999
Lawrence Morris Charitable Trust
The Ichigo Charitable Fund
Van Ameringen Foundation

$25,000 to $49,999
Stanley H. & Leah Rumbough 
Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation
Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation

$10,000 to $24,999

Alston & Bird LLP

James B. Peterson Jr.

John & Peggy Bader 

Martin & Jean Shafiroff

Laura Flavin 

Timothy & Christine Little

William C. and Joyce C. O’Neil Charitable Trust

$1,000 to $9,999
Lynn G. Hagman
The Donald E. Handelman Family Fund
Jay & Missy Moorhead
Gregory Worrell
Amicus Amico Foundation
Hyde & Watson Foundation
The Uhrig/Vournas Charitable Fund
B. Diamondstein-Speilvogel

$500 to $999
Jacqueline and Quint Smith
David Hinson
Elsie McCabe Thompson
William Driscoll
Hannah Choi Granade


$100 to $499
Katherine Gage 
Kenneth Padilla 
Michael Singer 
Michael Chadwick 
Lisbeth Lloyd 
Celia Berk 
Give Lively Foundation 
Whitney Carter 
CC Minton 
Richard Stern 
Alan Levy 
Evangelia Kingsley 

 

In-Kind 
Alston & Bird LLP
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

bottom of page