High School Helps Youth
Build Positive Future

Families, staff, and friends enthusiastically applauded the 56 proud high school Regents diploma recipients at Brooklyn Democracy Academy’s second graduation, held on June 24, 2010. Thirty-eight of the graduates are going on to college. The audience cheered as a host of awards and diplomas were given out to the graduating students.

   
LEFT: (L-R) Brooklyn Democracy Graduates Kavaughn  Johnson, Brion Boone, Leannn Williamson.  MIDDLE: Graduate Victoria Morales. RIGHT: Valedictorian Jahod Carroll.

Brooklyn Democracy Academy is a transfer school serving Brownsville and the larger Brooklyn community, created in partnership between Jewish Child Care Association (JCCA) and the New York City Department of Education (DOE). Brooklyn Democracy Academy is a Regents program with high academic standards and strong staff supports. It provides a second chance to youth who have dropped out of high school or become disaffected from the educational system. The school has a personalized learning environment that connects, motivates, and inspires its students to overcome obstacles and graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary to forge a positive future.

Students Explore Identity in
Two Together Tutoring Summer Program

JCCA’s Two Together tutoring program is hosting an enrichment program for middle school children to help bridge the learning gap that often takes place during the summer months. The theme of the program is "Who Am I?" Students take a look at the many different cultures found in New York by exploring the ethnically diverse neighborhoods of the city from Chinatown to Little Italy. In addition, the students visit the Smithsonian Native American Museum, the Brooklyn Historical Society, the U.N., and the African Burial Grounds. There is also a presentation on Russian immigration. Students are asked to express themselves and their heritage through art workshops and a multicultural lunch. Complimenting the summer exploration program, tutors also work with students to reinforce their reading and writing.

Since 1971, JCCA’s Two Together Tutoring provides free one-on-one academic support to NYC schoolchildren who are serious behind in their schoolwork. Volunteer tutors meet with their students weekly to do homework and reinforce basic reading, math and writing skills.

Staying Cool with a Great
Summer Reading Program
at The Cottage Schools

Kadisha L. and Jesus R. pick out books for the JCCA summer reading club.

Studies have shown that reading not only improves academic literacy such as writing skills, reading comprehension, and concentration, but also helps youth relieve trauma symptoms, learn coping skills, improve empathy, and gain new perspectives. Thanks to Sue Resnick and Liz Frankel, two Cottage School volunteers, each cottage on campus will now have its own summer reading library. Sue and Liz came up with the idea to organize a book drive on Campus and also developed a reading list that would be appropriate for each age group of residents. The Cottage School youth are encouraged to beat the heat and lazy days of summer by reading more. Facilitators of the program encourage youth to read, keep a personal log about the book, and have follow-up discussions, while librarians and authors make presentations about the books. There is also a competition between Campus peers in which the winner of the most books read will receive prizes that include a iPod Nano and gift certificates to a local bookstore.

Jewish Child Care Association's Cottage Schools -- Pleasantville Cottage School, Edenwald Center, Pleasantville Diagnostic Center and Gateways – are  residential treatment programs caring for 325 emotionally troubled youngsters in a highly supervised and protected environment while they work to resolve their difficulties and return to their communities as soon as possible.is a coed residential treatment center that cares for 150 young people with emotional and cognitive problems. 

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