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SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS
Celebrating AFC Graduates!
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Congratulations to Joseph, Julieanna, and the rest of AFC’s 2024 graduates!! Joseph graduated from Tiegerman High School this year. Joseph’s family has been working with AFC since he was 9, and they have always been staunch advocates for their son and for Autism awareness. Julieanna is graduating from 6th grade at The Sterling School; since AFC helped her get a seat at Sterling two years ago, she has grown leaps and bounds as a reader, student, and artist. | |
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“By fifth grade, my daughter still didn't know all her letters. We were always asking the school what else we could try, but they told us nothing more could be done. AFC helped get her into a school that specializes in teaching reading. Now she loves to read, loves books, and loves to learn. For the first time, she is confident and thriving in school.”
-Julieanna's mother
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POLICY CORNER
Fighting to Save Crucial Education Programs
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For months, AFC has been playing a leadership role alongside our community partners, students, parents, professionals, and elected officials to save education programs from budget cuts, and our advocacy has made an impact: Mayor Adams’ proposed budget now includes funding to continue previously endangered programs important to the students and families AFC serves, but we’re not done yet. Other programs are still at risk of deep cuts when their funding runs out in June. There’s still time to make your voice heard and let City leaders know that we need to save these critical education programs! | |
If your child is struggling with school, reach out to us today. Call AFC's Education Helpline, open Monday-Thursday from 10am-4pm. | |
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AFC AROUND TOWN
June is #PrideMonth
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All month, Advocates for Children has been sharing tips and resources online and at Pride celebrations to help LGBTQ+ students navigate the education system, exercise their rights, and learn what to do if their rights have been violated. 📢 Missed us at Brooklyn Pride? Come find us at Harlem Pride on June 29!
AFC’s LGBTQ+ Education Guide provides valuable information so all New Yorkers – students, parents, teachers, & allies – can learn more about the rights of LGBTQ+ students in NYC schools, how to speak up for yourself and others, & where to turn for support.
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PARTNERSHIP
Launching the Newcomer Education Network
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This Summer, AFC’s Immigrant Students’ Rights Project launched the Newcomer Education Network, comprised of 22 organizations that provide direct education services to newly arrived migrant families in NYC. We know there is a need for coordination and collaboration to meet the significant challenges faced by newcomer students and their families. This group will share best practices; discuss issues they see on the ground; create new resources; and advocate for solutions to families’ barriers to public school education.
Last week also marked the 42nd anniversary of Plyler v. Doe, a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that made it unconstitutional to exclude undocumented children from public school. Plyler continues to be vitally relevant today, as anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies are on the rise across the country. No student should be – or legally can be – turned away because of their immigration status. Learn more about the rights of immigrant students in NYC schools.
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CELEBRATING AFC STAFF
AFC Staff Recognized by Partner Organizations
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We are so proud of our dedicated advocates, whose critical support and training has been recognized by two partner organizations in recent months (L-R, above): our very own Lisa Bernard and Erika Palmer were both honored as Fair Futures Heroes for their work with young people impacted by the child welfare or juvenile legal systems, and HELP USA will be presenting AFC's Project LIT (Jennifer Pringle and Marcia Flores) with an award to honor their tireless work to address the education-related needs of students living in their shelters. | |
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IN THE NEWS
AFC's Recent Headlines
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