United Community Consulting worker-owners doing outreach for Promise NYC

Mayor Adams Rolls out “Promise NYC” to Provide Childcare Assistance to Low-Income Families with Undocumented Children for First Time Ever

On December 14th, Mayor Eric Adams announced the launch of Promise NYC, a groundbreaking program that provides childcare assistance to low-income families who because of their immigration status, do not qualify for federally funded subsidized childcare. Center for Family Life in Sunset Park, along with sister agencies La Colmena in Staten Island, Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation in the Bronx and Manhattan, and the Chinese-American Planning Council in Queens were contracted by the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) to help eligible families to enroll in childcare programs and then to pay childcare providers for the children’s care. This program represents a historic step towards recognizing and supporting immigrant communities and highlights the need to care for all New York City children regardless of immigration status.

Not having access to affordable childcare places an immense burden on parents who are seeking employment to support their families. This program will not only allow parents to work by providing them with dependable and safe childcare, but it will also place their children in developmentally stimulating environments. Promise NYC gives parents and their children an opportunity that could better their futures.

United Community Consulting worker-owners doing outreach for Promise NYC
United Community Consulting worker-owners doing outreach for Promise NYC

Center for Family Life is helping families in Brooklyn to sign up for Promise NYC with the help of United Community Consulting (UCC), a newly formed immigrant worker-owned cooperative business. Zenayda Bonilla, worker-owner in UCC states how when Promise NYC launched, UCC “quickly started to schedule visits with local organizations, schools, shelters [and] churches” to get the word out. Over the past several weeks, UCC has conducted numerous outreach efforts to help families determine if they are eligible for daycare support, including virtual and in-person events at the Coalición Mexicana, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Sunset Prep, PS 516, GLO Hotel, Saint Michael’s Church, PS 109, Win Shelter, Stockholm Family Shelter, and many more! Bonilla states that UCC worker-owners, “as immigrant mothers, know and understand the challenges of accessing affordable childcare [and] the confusion of not knowing how to navigate the system.” She states that UCC is doing everything possible to make the enrollment process easy for families and hopes that ACS continues to fund this incredibly valuable program in the coming year.

UCC doing outreach at the Coalición Mexicana
UCC doing outreach at the Coalición Mexicana

UCC has received very positive feedback from those who are enrolling in the program and participants have enthusiastically shared the many ways that Promise NYC gives them greater opportunities such as the ability to work or attend ESOL classes.

“We live in a shelter and the space is small. My children need to do different things and this will help my children to socialize with other children who speak English. That way it will be easier for them to learn the language.”

“This is a great opportunity for me because I want to work and I have no one to leave my son with, I have no family or friends. It’s only been two months since we arrived in New York.”

“I want to take English classes but I don’t have the money to pay for daycare for my daughter, so leaving her in a safe place gives me the opportunity to prepare for later finding a job.”

-Quotes from Promise NYC program participants

UCC worker-owners speaking at an event at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
UCC worker-owners speaking at an event at Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Our goal is to enroll 185 children in daycare programs, distributing over 2.5 million dollars in childcare subsidies to Brooklyn children. While Center for Family Life in Sunset Park is assisting those in Brooklyn, our partners are serving families in all other NYC boroughs.

Center for Family Life in Sunset Park Promise NYC intake staff
Center for Family Life in Sunset Park Promise NYC intake staff

We are incredibly grateful to be a part of such a monumental program that seeks to break down barriers that prevent families from accessing critically needed childcare. Carrie Stewart, CFLSP Co-Director of Family Counseling states how childcare “is a universal need for all families, and we are excited to provide this essential service to immigrant families throughout Brooklyn.” While funding for this program is time limited, we are hopeful that the success of Promise NYC will be a catalyst for the city to fund similar programs in the future.

NEW CFL workshop flyer (Banner (Landscape)

Friends of CFL Fundraising Workshop Series! Please join us!

Center for Family Life in Sunset Park is excited to host a limited series of fun, virtual workshops, taught by generous friends of the organization. All proceeds raised will go towards CFL and its programs. 

Join us for this opportunity to learn new skills and meet new friends while simultaneously supporting CFLSP and the critical programs that serve the families and children of Sunset Park! Looking forward to seeing you there!

Please contact talia.kerenzvi@gmail.com if you have any questions about registering. 

Zoom Workshops

Stretching for All Ages with HanaKyle Moranz –   Wednesday April 27th, 2022 6:30pm 

As we age we lose flexibility. Stretching the major muscle groups just minutes each day is beneficial! Discover why stretching is important and how to do it safely and effectively. We’ll stretch standing, and sitting, including the best way to stretch your low back, the easiest neck stretch in the world and a great way to relieve tension in your shoulders. Leave with a full toolbox to stretch and mobilize your muscles and joints on your own, anytime. Wear comfortable clothing you can stretch in.

HanaKyle Moranz is a bodyworker, personal trainer and movement maven who specializes in working with people with chronic pain to increase resilience in activities of daily life. Find out more about her at www.hanakyle.com

Introduction to Knitting with Kusi Merello – Wednesday May 25th, 2022 6:30pm

Learn to cast on, knit, purl and bind off — the essential foundation to knitting. With these skills you can take knitting anywhere. All you need is a set of knitting needles and a skein of yarn.