FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The federal funding will help further the Mission Society’s academic and workforce development programs for high school students.
New York, NY (April 7, 2022) — The Mission Society of New York City announced today that it has been awarded a federal earmark to support its educational programs across the city. The funds are part of the $6.7 million that was secured by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congressman Adriano Espaillat to assist New York City residents who were most heavily impacted by the pandemic. The Mission Society will receive $1.1 million towards Level Up, a program serving high school students by offering in-depth academic support, college counseling, and workforce development.
"The Mission Society is excited to receive this funding and deepen the impact of our Level Up program, which currently serves over 1,800 high school students in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx," said President and CEO Elsie McCabe Thompson, "During such a critical time in the field of education, the value of these funds is immeasurable. It will support our work addressing the education opportunity gap exacerbated by the pandemic, and allow us to prepare students for their lives beyond our classrooms.”
The federal funding is aimed at making up for the learning and job training loss caused by the pandemic – particularly in communities who, prior to COVID-19, already faced systemic financial barriers and lack of access to important tools and services.
“Investing in the education and wellness of our youth is critical to the future of families throughout New York City,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), who advocated on behalf of the organization. “I am delighted to bring this level of federal funding to my congressional district to assist the Mission Society’s Level Up program, and amplify the services and resources they provide to alleviate barriers to high school graduation, attending college, and finding employment.”
With Level Up, the Mission Society works collaboratively with school partners to establish caring and supportive relationships, reinforce positive school norms, and support rigorous instructional behaviors through involvement in academic advisement, career and college counseling, tutoring, job shadowing, paid internship experiences, college tours, mental health support, and volunteerism. Through these initiatives and activities, students are encouraged to complete their high school education, and develop a deeper understanding of the opportunities available to them in the future.
Media Contacts
Sara Elghobashy, Mission Society of New York City
development@missionsociety.org
About the Mission Society
Since 1812, the Mission Society of New York City has worked to end multigenerational poverty by building the lifelong educational capacity of New York’s most vulnerable youth and families. Each year, they provide over 3,000 students with a suite of afterschool, summer, college access, and career readiness programs at their flagship building on Malcolm X Boulevard and 12 public school programs in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. To learn more, please visit their website at missionsociety.org.