named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Grow Your Own (GYO)
Community-based pipeline program that trains diverse adults to become teacher assistants and early childhood special education teachers through a registered apprenticeship model.
Parent Support Programming
Offers training, guidance, and referrals to help families understand their child's diagnosis, navigate the IEP process, and access community resources.
Related Therapy Services
Provides occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, and behavior counseling as mandated by students' IEPs.
Special Education Preschool
Preschool program for children ages 3 to 5 with developmental delays, featuring small structured classrooms and individualized instruction aligned with state standards.
activities · 11 groups
What they do
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Special Education Preschool Programs 1 activity
- Deliver special education preschool services to children with developmental delaysOperates a special education preschool program for children ages 3 to 5 with significant developmental delays and disabilities, providing evidence-based instruction to prepare them for entry into the New York City public school system in the least restrictive environment. Serves over 400 full-time students across three schools in Harlem and the Bronx, with daily education services from 9:00 AM to 2:15 PM, Monday through Friday.
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Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Host family and participant engagement eventsHosts semester-end celebrations for participants and teams in programs such as GYO 2.0 to recognize achievements and build community.
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Autism & Neurodiversity Education Workshops 1 activity
- Offer family workshops and parenting support in English and SpanishOffers bilingual workshops in English and Spanish on topics including parenting children with autism, supporting young children's learning at home, and parental self-care. Workshops are led by KCC staff and partner organizations and include resources for at-home learning and communication about issues like coronavirus.
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Healthcare Workforce Training & Career Pathways 1 activity
- Operate Grow Your Own Training Program (GYO)Operates the Grow Your Own Training Program (GYO), a Registered Apprenticeship Program recognized by the New York State Department of Labor, focused on training early childhood special educators. The program trains approximately 100 teacher assistants annually and supports around 30 aspiring educators in college each year.
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Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
- Provide job placement support for program graduatesProvides intensive job-placement services to help graduates of training programs secure positions at early childhood providers across New York City.
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Special Education Support Services 1 activity
- Provide related therapeutic services as mandated by IEPsProvides licensed occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, and behavior counseling to students according to their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). These services support development in communication, strength, mobility, alertness, and daily functioning, enabling progress such as independent walking, talking, and self-feeding.
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CACFP Meal Service and Administration 1 activity
- Provide student nutrition servicesProvides breakfast and lunch daily to students through a kid-friendly, nutritionist-approved menu, and shares quick and easy nutritious meal recipes for preschoolers developed by its nutritionist.
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Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
- Run summer session programmingOperates an annual summer session for students; the 2026 session is scheduled to run from July 6 to August 14.
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College Access and Success Support 1 activity
- Support aspiring early childhood educators through collegeSupports college-going participants pursuing degrees in early childhood education at CUNY schools through tuition assistance, merit-based stipends, babysitting and tutoring reimbursement, peer support, and individualized resource referrals. Currently supports 35 college students, 28 of whom are registered apprentices with the NYS Department of Labor.
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Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
- Train teacher assistants via free certification programOffers a free 7-week in-person training program that prepares participants to earn New York State Teacher Assistant certification, serving as a pathway into early childhood education careers.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Track long-term outcomes of GYO 1.0 program alumniOver 500 adults have completed the GYO 1.0 Teacher Assistant Training program since 2017, with about 70% of graduates obtaining employment in education within three months of completion.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$24.22M
Contributions & grants$1.06M4%
Program service revenue$22.94M95%
Investment income$69K0%
Other revenue$153K
expenses
Total expenses$24.07M
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$18.98M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$19.77M
Cash$5.25M
Investments$90K
Liabilities$13.72M
Net assets$6.05M
Liquid reserves2.7 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +1.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 8
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEANNE ALTER | Chief Executive Officer | 35 | $348K |
| BHUPENDRA SHAH | CFO & Treasurer | 35 | $241K |
| MARY MCKILLOP | Chief Program Officer | 35 | $231K |
| CAROLYN CLEVELAND | COO & Secretary | 35 | $221K |
| TRISTAN DULANGON | DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL ADMINISTRATION | 35 | $179K |
| GERALDO FELICIANO | EDUCATION DIRECTOR | 35 | $155K |
| JOE SPANBERGER | DIRECTOR OF IT SERVICES | 35 | $155K |
| KRISTY CHAU | EDUCATION DIRECTOR | 35 | $142K |
board members · 17
- ANDREW KRAUS — DIRECTOR
- BRETT TREMAIN — DIRECTOR
- CINDY MACHLES — DIRECTOR (Thru 6/25)
- EDWARD LINDEN — DIRECTOR
- JOHN GIBBONS — Board Chair (From 10/24)
- JOSEPH GANNON — CHAIR (Thru 9/24)
- Jacqueline Dauhajre — DIRECTOR
- LAURA SHANLEY — DIRECTOR
- MELISSA SALERNO — DIRECTOR (Thru 6/25)
- Michael O'Hara — DIRECTOR
- Nicole Mar — DIRECTOR (Thru 4/25)
- PREETI MONE — DIRECTOR
- REV MSGR KEVIN SULLIVAN — DIRECTOR
- SHRUTI PATEL — DIRECTOR (Thru 3/25)
- STACEY WOLF — DIRECTOR
- Sang Le — DIRECTOR
- VIJAY JESRANI — DIRECTOR
relationships · 40
Who they work with
- Autism Speaks Partner — Directs families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to Autism Speaks for resources, support, and financial grants.
- CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK Funder — Supports the Grow Your Own teacher assistant training program through funding.
- CUNY Partner — Partner institution where GYO 2.0 participants pursue degrees in early childhood education.
- Catholic Charities Partner — Refers families in crisis to Catholic Charities for basic needs assistance and information and referral services.
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York Funder — Funder of the Grow Your Own program at Kennedy Children's Center.
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York Government — Ex-officio board member relationship through shared leadership with J. Antonio Fernández serving as CEO of both organizations.
- Committee on Preschool Special Education Government — Local school district CPSE refers and places children into KCC programs.
- Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook to share student stories and updates
- INCLUDEnyc Partner — Refers families of children with disabilities to INCLUDEnyc for support, resources, and webinars.
- Instagram Partner — Uses Instagram to share student stories and updates
- LinkedIn Partner — Uses LinkedIn to share organizational updates and student spotlights
- NEW YORK COMMUNITY TRUST Funder — Supports the Grow Your Own teacher assistant training program through funding.
- NFP Funder — Funder of the Grow Your Own program at Kennedy Children's Center.
- NFP Funder — Supports the Grow Your Own teacher assistant training program through funding.
- NYCDOE Office of Pupil Transportation Government — Provides transportation services for KCC students; KCC coordinates bussing through this agency.
- New York Community Trust Funder — Funder of the Grow Your Own program at Kennedy Children's Center.
- New York State Department of Labor Government — Registered the Grow Your Own Training Program as an official apprenticeship program.
- PAYCOM Funder — Supports the Grow Your Own teacher assistant training program through funding.
- Paycom Funder — Funder of the Grow Your Own program at Kennedy Children's Center.
- Pinterest Partner — Uses Pinterest to share student stories and updates
- Ramapo for Children Partner — Co-leads family workshops for parents of children with special needs.
- Synergia Partner — Co-leads family workshops for parents of children with special needs.
- THE NEW YORK CITY HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION (HRA) Funder — Supports the Grow Your Own teacher assistant training program through funding.
- THE PINKERTON FOUNDATION Funder — Supports the Grow Your Own teacher assistant training program through funding.
- THE STELLA AND CHARLES GUTTMAN FOUNDATION Funder — Supports the Grow Your Own teacher assistant training program through funding.
- THE TD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION Funder — Supports the Grow Your Own teacher assistant training program through funding.
- The Ichigo Foundation Funder — Funder of the Grow Your Own program at Kennedy Children's Center.
- The Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development Funder — Funder of the Grow Your Own program at Kennedy Children's Center.
- The New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) Funder — Funder of the Grow Your Own program at Kennedy Children's Center.
- The New York State Department of Labor Government — Partner agency with which 28 GYO participants are registered as apprentices.
+ 10 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Grow-Your-Own Workforce Developmentmethodology: grow_your_ownBy training current staff and community members to become certified educators and leaders in early childhood special education, the organization builds a sustainable, diverse workforce pipeline, because localized training increases retention, reduces turnover, and empowers underserved populations to enter high-need professions.
- Integrated Education and Therapy Modelmethodology: integrated-education-and-therapyBy combining education and therapeutic interventions within a single program, the organization supports transformative developmental progress for children with complex needs, because integrated services address cognitive, emotional, and physical development simultaneously in a cohesive manner.
- Play-Based, Sensory-Rich Learning Environmentmethodology: play-based_learningBy using purposeful play within structured, sensory-rich environments, the organization fosters communication, social-emotional growth, and independence in children with developmental delays, because such environments align with child development science and promote engagement through experiential learning.