Harlem Children's Zone

Harlem Children's Zone http://hcz.org/home

As I was exploring HCZ's website, I was particulary focused on learning about the Project Pipeline.  The best way I can describe it is as a continuum of learning from birth to adulthood which is built upon connections and partnerships.  Project Pipeline is divided into five sections - early childhood, elementary school, middle school, high school, and college.  All these sections are built around family, community, and health.

The Early Childhood sector of the Project Pipeline offers free programs which include Baby College, The Three Year Old Journey, Get Ready for PreK, and Harlem Gems. For a description of these programs, visit http://hcz.org/the-hcz-project-pipeline/early-childhood .

This week we've been learning how economists, politicians, and neuroscientists are contributing to the early childhood field.  HCZ's Geoffrey  Canada particpates in many national educational reforms along side local, state, and federal politicians. HCZ philosophy and work is supported by  President Obama.

In 2008, HCZ began collaborating with Policy‑
Link, a national research and action institute.As the concept of the federal Promise Neighborhoods and Choice Neighborhoods programs take shape for the Obama administration, HCZ and PolicyLink have provided ongoing information and counsel. In 2010, the Obama administration allocated $75 million in the federal budget for the two federal programs.

http://www.hcz.org/hcz/downloads/path_to_sustainability.pdf


HCZ is an investment in the eyes of economists with outstanding paybacks.

HCZ has invested $300 million over 10 years for programming in the Harlem community and an additional $43 million in capital.

• Unprecedented results—painstaking, regular evaluation shows our children are thriving.

• We are providing critical data to a field with a dearth of research.

• HCZ is a powerful economic engine in the neighborhood—with 2,000 employees, 800 full time, we are one of the largest employers in Harlem.

• About half of all HCZ employees live in the community or surrounding neighborhoods, creating economic opportunity in areas that typically have two or three times the unemployment rate of the city and nation.

• In 2010, HCZ’s free tax-assistance program helped nearly 5,000 residents receive refunds totaling $8.54 million—resources that they can spend in the community, improving the neighborhood economy.

• Hundreds of our high school and college students obtain invaluable work experience in summer jobs and internships every year through HCZ.

• More than 600 students are now in college, a cohort that will increase by the hundreds each year, preparing themselves for the highskills job market.

This return on investment is overwhelming evidence that we have begun to break the cycle of generational poverty in our community.



http://www.hcz.org/hcz/downloads/path_to_sustainability.pd %20And

And where do the neuroscientists fit in the picture? Well, poverty affects the development of young children and HCZ is committed to healthy development of children and their families. 

This website has so much information on issues and trends in Harlem that are relevant all across our country.  I find myself getting lost in the magnitude of information that HCZ offers about their community organization.  And, the most surprising part of HCZ is that all their programs are FREE!  People, businesses, politicians, and etc... are donating to this organization and it's working. Their investments are returning rewards!