Partnership with Children Newsletter

CEO Update

Dear Friends,

Partnership with Children has been busy preparing our students for a return to the classroom all across New York City.?The crisp September air reminds us of new beginnings, new seasons, and a return to school. With this in mind, I hope you enjoy the relaunch of our newsletter to stay abreast of our work,?reflect on our 115 year history, and plan for our future.

Since 1908, Partnership with Children has advocated for and led mental health programs for students across New York City's public schools. Few organizations can claim a one hundred and fifteen year existence - but, PWC proudly can! At the height of the Progressive Era and dawn of the twentieth century, six trailblazing women saw the need for mental health services in New York City, long before this form of healthcare was considered a legitimate concern. Fast forward a few decades, and our social workers and clinical teams continue to bear the torch for trauma-informed counseling, community-based programming, and healing-based arts education serving thousands of students across New York’s five boroughs.?

I make it my professional mission to visit every school, every year in the PWC network. During my site visits, I am inspired by the unique personalities and school cultures that all fold into one elaborate tapestry that is Partnership with Children. Our social workers, teaching artists, and staff are tirelessly meeting with students and community stakeholders, balancing their responsibilities to school, organization, and student, and doing it all with empathy and warmth.

Thank you for supporting our work and sharing in the sense of duty and pride we hold for mental health services and the healing arts across our schools. I am so honored by your belief in our work and commitment to our student community and the frontline PWC family who champion our efforts.

With gratitude,

Wesner Pierre

Chief Executive Officer

#FreedomSchools

Partnership with Children is a proud sponsor and host for Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School programs. Since 2018, PWC has hosted two Freedom Schools in Brownsville to engage young people in social action, community involvement, and activities such as art and reading.?

Throughout summer, PWC hosted CDF's Freedom School programs that highlight community and children’s enrichment through?literacy and social action. Recently, Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Kim Council, Children's Defense Fund NY Executive Director Kercena Dozier and PWC staff, among others, read to PS 284 students about topics including peace and social justice. Through reading and initiating the program’s morning Harambee (an activity of community closeness derived from Kenyan tradition), Freedom Schools continue to engage kids outside of the school year with dance, art, poetry, and other forms of expression!?

Deriving from the Kiswahili word meaning “let’s pull together”, Harambee is a reoccurring session that brings kids and staff together to celebrate community through song, dance, and chants. Freedom School’s Harambee follows eight components that inspire students to engage and reflect on different levels to keep them emotionally and socially active – Read Aloud, Motivational Song, Cheers/Chants, Recognitions, Moment of Silence, and Announcements. ?

PWC looks forward to future collaborations with our Freedom Schools!

PWC students breathe with artist Jeppe Hein

Partnership with Children is proud to partner with mental health advocates who embody the mission of strengthening the emotional, social, and cognitive skills of New York City schoolchildren. Internationally renowned artist Jeppe Hein, is one of the advocates who frequently partners with PWC in and out of the classroom to brighten some of our students' lives through visual arts programming.

“?Life begins with an inhale and ends with an exhale. In-between we all breathe and live different lives. And yet, each breath keeps us together, connected, sharing the same air.” Jeppe Hein

Jeppe's blend of minimalistic and conceptual art provides a graspable outlet for students to latch onto as they express themselves and simply, breathe. Following an episode of severe burnout, Jeppe embarked on a mental health journey incorporating the healing arts into his regimen. The result of the the Danish artist's introspection are his?Breathe with Me projects, that were featured at the UN Headquarters and Royal College of Physicians, inviting participants to paint dazzling vertical blue lines upon canvas while simultaneously practicing conscious breathing.?

On a recent school visit, Jeppe led the students at Riverdale Avenue Community School in Brownsville, Brooklyn, in an interactive arts session. By painting faces mirroring their emotions and writing out their feelings, students were treated to a world-class breathing exercise from the comfort of their classroom seats. All of the activity canvasses, paint, and brushes were generously donated by Jeppe.

Partnership with Children was proud to honor Jeppe Hein with the 2023 Inspiration Award at our Annual Gala and looks forward to future partnership opportunities with Jeppe and his wonderful team.

Stay tuned for more in-depth looks highlighting day-to-day programs, upcoming events, and guest collaborators!?

Upcoming Events

Join Partnership with Children and Proskauer Rose LLP for our joint discussion: Advancing Health Equity and Investing in Our?Youth . Our esteemed panelists will delve into the importance of educating and empowering young people in communities that are underserved to improve health outcomes and ultimately advance health equity. From building positive lifestyle habits around physical activity, balanced nutrition and fostering mental health awareness to understanding the behavioral risk factors for stroke and other serious health conditions, the panel will share tangible programs and strategies aimed at nurturing healthier and more equitable futures for our youth.

RSVP LINK

Wednesday, September 275:00 - 6:00 p.m. EDT

Proskauer

Eleven Times Square

41st Street and 8th Avenue, 27th Floor

New York, NY 10036