Program Evaluation and Improvement to Ensure Success | | Program evaluation and improvement is a major part of behind-the-scenes operations at BronxWorks. Our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) department works across the agency to ensure programs are operating in compliance and addressing community needs. | | As a human services organization, it is vital that our programs operate efficiently and safely, and that our methods are making a difference for those in need. Over the past decade, BronxWorks has invested in expanding the agency's CQI work to develop more structured approaches to evaluating programs. Now, the department has over 20 staff members, some of whom are CQI specialists for specific program areas. CQI staff work with direct-service staff to administer site visits, review data, and connect with other programs who can share effective strategies for success. The department also builds data reports, creates and implements systems for evaluation, conducts risk assessments, trains staff on data management systems, and more. | | |
All of this data acquisition and evaluation comes together to inform how the agency can best use our resources to support our community.
"The data is informing us on what is working. We don't want to spend time investing energy and resources into practices that don't help people. The main way we know that is through the data."
Amanda Perez, Director of Program Quality and Evaluation
| | | With the help of CQI, programs are able to meet and exceed program goals, adopt proven methods, ensure consistent safety for participants, and accurately inform partners of their impact. The CQI team is also continuously developing better systems for data collection to make the process easier for client-facing staff. | | CQI also leads the effort to calculate our annual outcomes and accomplishments, which help us communicate the impact of the entire agency throughout the past year. We are proud to recognize that many of our accomplishments continue to increase and net positive results, as the organization grows in scale and reach across the borough. | |
Select BronxWorks 2025 Accomplishments include:
534,010 meals served to vulnerable Bronx residents of all ages.
618 homeless families placed into permanent housing.
2,506 children and youth enrolled into educational and after-school programs.
3,196 older adults served by our Older Adult Centers.
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Gina Lee, Tyler McCormick, and Amanda Perez
Leaders in the CQI Department
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Gina Lee
Business Systems Manager
Gina Lee has always had a strong passion for helping people and envisioned herself working in direct services. In search of a position where she could be part of a larger mission impacting her community, she found BronxWorks. She joined the organization in 2011 as a Program Specialist in the Family Rewards Program, where she thrived for several years. While in that position, Gina’s supervisor encouraged her to take on a data systems project for managing the department’s data collection. She later transitioned to the CQI department and is now the Business Systems Manager for the organization.
| | “I find it rewarding to be able to pull insights from the data showing all the great work that is being done, and knowing that this data is being used to make decisions across the organization. It allows us to tell a clearer story about our impact.” | |
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Tyler McCormick
Chief of Staff and Strategy
Tyler McCormick recently joined BronxWorks as Chief of Staff and Strategy. Born in Los Angeles, Tyler came to New York City to attend Barnard College, where she earned her Bachelor's in Art History. However, she quickly realized her true passion was working in youth services and transitioned her career trajectory. Since then, she has gained many years of experience in social services. She joined BronxWorks in December 2025 and in her role, Tyler oversees CQI, guides the strategic planning process, evaluates and develops more efficient systems for agency operations, leads special projects, and more.
| | | “I had a chance to speak with Eileen, and there was just something about this organization. The work, the spirit, the vision for the future of the agency, it all felt really inspiring.” | |
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Amanda Perez
Director of Program Quality and Evaluation
Amanda began her career in the nonprofit sector as a case manager working with Bronx middle and high school students, while earning a degree in Statistical Theory. In these positions, Amanda discovered the importance of data analysis in social services, as she was able to track her students' progress. She then pursued a career in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), eventually becoming Director of Compliance for BronxWorks. Her role has evolved with the growth of the CQI department, and she is now the Director of Program Quality and Evaluation.
| | "Working on these projects, I realized that there is a direct connection between the statistical theory I was studying at school, and the quality of service being provided. We could use the data to inform that." | |
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The BronxWorks Heights Older Adult Center
Has Reopened!
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Did You Know? BronxWorks was thrilled to reopen our Heights Older Adult Center in the Morris Heights neighborhood of the Bronx! BronxWorks held a grand opening event earlier this month and welcomed participants, their families, and BronxWorks leadership, as well as Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Council Member Pierina Sanchez, and representatives of the NYC Department For The Aging.
The new Heights Older Adult Center will serve over 150 participants a day and provides a variety of resources, including recreational activities, hot meals, classes to learn new skills, referrals to other BronxWorks programs, and more. The building offers several amenities for the seniors to enjoy, including an exercise room, a computer room, a dedicated arts and crafts room, a billiard room, and a large recreation space for other events. The original Heights Older Adult Center closed in 2021 due to a partial building collapse. The center closed shortly after programming had resumed during the pandemic, and the Heights participants were welcomed at the BronxWorks Morris Older Adult Center.
We are so proud to be able to reopen this center for the older adults of Morris Heights and preserve their strong sense of community.
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Congratulations to Gordon Miller and Julie Belizaire-Spitzer for their Recognitions by City & State New York!
Congratulations to our Chief Financial Officer Gordon Miller and Vice President of Homelessness Prevention and Access to Benefits Julie Belizaire-Spitzer for their recognitions by City & State New York this Black History Month! Gordon Miller was honored as part of the CSNY Black Trailblazers List, and Julie Belizaire-Spitzer was honored as part of the CSNY 50 Over 50 List. We are so proud of Gordon and Julie for their longstanding commitment to the organization and to improving lives in the Bronx. Congratulations again!
Click here to see the CSNY Black Trailblazers List.
Click here to see the CSNY 50 Over 50 List.
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BronxWorks Hosts Our Second Annual Legislative Breakfast
BronxWorks was thrilled to welcome elected officials, senior leadership staff, board members, and other stakeholders to our second annual Legislative Breakfast! BronxWorks executive staff shared the organization's legislative priorities for the year and how these focuses will help address major needs in the borough. Elected officials who have supported BronxWorks with capital funds also presented checks representing their contributions. BronxWorks has raised over $XM in capital funding to renovate our flagship community center at 1130 Grand Concourse. Known as the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center, this building turns 100 years old this year and is in need of modernization to best serve the community. We are so grateful to our partners in government who trust us to serve their constituents and who have shown their support for the organization's mission.
Click the links below for press coverage of the event.
Bronx Times | PoliticsNY
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BronxWorks Joins Bronx Metro IAF at Founding Assembly
BronxWorks joins other community leaders and service organizations in the newly-founded Bronx Metro IAF, a coalition aiming to leverage community power to bring positive change to the borough. BronxWorks CEO Eileen Torres was a main speaker at the Founding Assembly event, where she shared her experiences growing up in the Bronx and the growth she has witnessed over time as the leader of BronxWorks. Dozens of BronxWorks staff and thousands of community members were in attendance to support the founding of this organization.
Also known as Bronx First, Bronx Metro IAF is a subset of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), an international network of local community-based organizations that guide citizen-led action for community development and growth. At the core of the BronxWorks mission is to build a stronger Bronx community, and this is reflected in the work we do every day. We are excited to be part of the Bronx Metro IAF and work with our community partners to create a brighter future for the borough.
Click here to read press coverage of the event from Bronx Times.
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Children and Families Make Recycled Art Together at BronxWorks ECLC
Children at a BronxWorks Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) were joined by their family members to create art out of recyclable materials. This project was part of a larger lesson the students learned about the importance of recycling. Students' family members are always welcome to join the children in their activities, and parent engagement is a major aspect of our approach to early childhood learning.
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SAVE THE DATE for the BronxWorks 2026 Lifting Lives Gala on Tuesday, May 12 at 583 Park Avenue in Manhattan! We hope you will join us in celebrating our continued work to lift lives in the Bronx and honoring our incredible partners who empower us to grow our impact.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS!
For more information about sponsorships and other ways to support, please visit bronxworks.org/gala or contact gala@bronxworks.org.
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Here are some ways you can join BronxWorks and support our mission this year:
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