+ Education

FYI’s Education Department employs evidence-based curricula to strengthen children’s reading and math skills at all grade levels. We provide in-school and afterschool literacy and educational enrichment programs at all of our sites. Our education programs include:

The Welcome Program serves children in grades Pre-K to 5 after school and during the summer with goals of helping new immigrant students adapt to their new home, improving reading skills, and making sure all children have the skills to move to the next grade.

FYI’s Reading Zone offers instruction and intervention services to struggling readers in grades K to 5, building baseline reading skills for our youngest participants and providing a safety net for middle and high school students who show significant reading delays.

Our Middle School program combines advisory, advocacy, homework help, and math and literacy instruction to help students acquire life-long executive function skills, such as prioritizing and organizing work, taking notes, solving problems, and thinking critically.

+ Youth Development

FYI's evidence-based youth development programs contribute to young people’s long-term success by improving their positive engagement with family, community, and society; increasing their self-esteem and resilience; and encouraging young people to take positive risks.

FYI bridges the opportunity gap for low-income students through arts, music, sports, recreation, and social-emotional learning activities across all age groups. FYI's youth development programs include:

Musical Arts: Children expolore their musical interests and talents. Guitar, choir, and Samba drumming groups are offered for grades K through 12.

Sports and Recreation: Young people connect, stay active, build teamwork skills, and improve self-esteem with fun, age-apropriate activities during after school and over the summer. The Saturday Sports program for middle school students offers skills and drills in volleyball and basketball.

SEL Discussion Groups: Trained staff use evidence-based Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curricula to lead students in weekly SEL groups, learning the vocabulary of feelings and expoloring self-identity, relationship skills, and social awareness. These groups are a favorite among participants of all ages.

+ Mental Health and Wellness

FYI’s Clinical Team provides mental health services during the school day and afterschool at the Gregorio Luperón High School in Washington Heights.

Stressors of immigration, school and social pressures, expectations to succeed, and learning a new language are some of the factors that take a toll on students' mental health. FYI’s early intervention services include counseling, crisis intervention, and mental health education.

With increased need for culturally responsive mental health services in our community, FYI is in the process of establishing an Article 31 mental health clinic. To learn more about our Campaign for Children’s Futures, click here!

+ Family Supports

Inequities in education, income, and employment increased exponentially since the COVID pandemic. FYI launched our Food and Social Services Department in 2020 in response to the needs of existing FYI parents and families. In partnership with New York Common Pantry, FYI provides biweekly food packages to 150 families. Our case managers screen families for public benefits eligibilty (such as SNAP and rental assistance) and connect them with legal and other resources.