Promise in Action
A publication of Children’s Aid, helping children in poverty to succeed and thrive.
Children’s Aid
117 W 124th Street, 5th Floor New York, NY 10027
Jill Olson Chair
Phoebe C. Boyer President and Chief Executive Officer
Caroline Gallagher Chief Development Officer
Anthony Ramos Vice President, Marketing and Communications
ChildrensAidNYC.org 212.949.4936
From the CEO
Dear Friends,
Spring is a season of preparation – a reminder that the investments we make today shape the promise of tomorrow.
At Children’s Aid, that promise lives in every classroom, clinic, and community center where young people are building their futures. In our early childhood programs, we see it in the confidence of our youngest learners as they master new words and skills. In our Next Generation Center in the Bronx, we see it in our youth who are discovering their voices, setting ambitious goals, and charting paths toward college and careers.
Earlier this year, I spent the day meeting with policymakers in Albany to advocate for the children and families we serve. In a climate of complex budget negotiations and competing priorities, it is essential that decision-makers understand what’s at stake. I shared stories of resilience and achievement — and the very real challenges families face — to ensure that investments in early learning, health, youth development, and family stability remain front and center.
But public funding alone is not enough. Progress depends on partnership.
That is why I am deeply grateful to the dedicated supporters highlighted in this issue, including Terri and Bart Eagle and the members of our new Founders Circle. Their steadfast commitment, decades-long for some members, reflects a powerful belief: that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive.
Thank you for standing with us. Because of you, we are not only meeting today’s needs — we are building a stronger, more equitable future for New York City’s children.
With gratitude,
Phoebe C. Boyer President and Chief Executive Officer
On the Cover: Lu Faustin, Director of Individual Giving, reads to an early childhood class at P.S. 8 in Washington Heights as part of Children’s Aid’s monthlong Reading on the Rug event series.
Phoebe C. Boyer
Children’s Aid President and CEO
PARENT ENGAGEMENT Building Community and Opportunity
Parent engagement is more than participation — it’s a partnership. Families at community schools, like our Whitney Young Jr. campus in the Bronx, are supported through consistent, relationship-driven programming that meets parents where they are and helps them thrive alongside their children.
A cornerstone of this work is the food pantry, run in collaboration with local New York City food banks. Serving approximately 250 families and more than 800 individuals each month, the pantry ensures families have reliable access to nutritious food while creating a welcoming space for connection. Many families served by Children’s Aid experience food insecurity for a variety of reasons, and this pantry is a lifeline for them.
Recognizing that parents’ growth directly supports their children’s success, Children’s Aid offers ESL classes and GED courses each week to help parents thrive within their careers and community. These programs open doors to better job opportunities, increased confidence, and deeper engagement in school life. Many parents who once felt disconnected now volunteer at school events and participate in workshops, becoming active partners in their children’s education.
Monthly family events strengthen community bonds. Through funfilled gatherings like movie nights and painting activities, these events draw 65 to 70 parents each month, offering more opportunities for joy and connection among enrolled families. Parent summer camp is another unique program that provides parents with engaging experiences, such as harbor cruises, spa days, and outings on the TopView Bus. The goal of parent summer camp is to create a space for shared experiences.
Promise in Action Executive Update
The benefits of parent engagement are compounded by the ways it can impact children. Multiple studies show that when parents are engaged in their child’s education and supported in building a stable home, students experience improved academic performance, better school attendance, and make safer, healthier choices.
None of this would be possible without the tireless dedication of our Parent Engagement Coordinators, who play a vital role. In addition to planning events throughout the year, they partner with the Department of Education to offer monthly social-emotional and mental health support services, make thoughtful accommodations, and most importantly ensure families feel seen, heard, and supported.
Abigail Almonte, parent engagement coordinator at the Whitney Young Jr. community school, shared, “Parents need to know someone cares about them and that they are not alone.” Children’s Aid makes that care visible every day.
Ilene Pappert, director of the Goodhue Community Center on Staten Island, recently retired after an extraordinary 50-year career dedicated to children, youth, and families at Children’s Aid. We thank Ilene for all she has done to build brighter futures in her 50 years of services and wish her all the best in retirement.
Sandra Escamilla-Davies, Executive Vice President, has been appointed the Commissioner of the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) after 10 years of leadership at Children’s Aid. Congratulations to Sandra in her new leadership role!
Michelle Avila, Director of Public Policy, was named a 2026 Nonprofit Trailblazer by City & State.
Whitney Young Jr. Parent Engagement Group
Honoring Our Most Dedicated Supporters
At Children’s Aid, everything we do is made possible by a community of supporters who believe deeply in our mission of building brighter futures for New York City’s children and families. We are proud to announce the launch of a new initiative designed to celebrate that community: The Founders Circle.
The Founders Circle was created to recognize our most dedicated partners: individuals whose generosity, commitment, and belief in our work have helped shape Children’s Aid. These supporters — whose annual giving surpassed $1,853 in honor of Children’s Aid’s founding year — are more than donors; they are champions for the children and families we serve. Their partnership ensures that young people have access to high-quality education, comprehensive health services, and the social-emotional support they need to reach their full potential.
We are especially honored to welcome the very first members into this new collective. As founding participants, they are helping to establish a powerful network of advocates who share a common vision: a city where every child, regardless of circumstance, has the opportunity to thrive. Their early leadership sets the tone for what The Founders Circle will represent: commitment, compassion, and lasting impact.
Membership in The Founders Circle offers a deeper connection to our mission through intimate gatherings with fellow members, in-depth program spotlights led by expert Children’s Aid staff, moments to witness firsthand the difference their support makes, and more. Most importantly, it reflects a shared belief that sustained investment in children and families creates transformative change for entire communities.
We are grateful to our inaugural Founders Circle members for standing with Children’s Aid in this important new chapter. Together, we are building brighter futures for generations to come.
For more information on The Founders Circle, please contact Lu Faustin at lfaustin@ChildrensAidNYC.org.
An Enduring Commitment to Brighter Futures
For nearly three decades, Terri and Bart Eagle have been steadfast champions of Children’s Aid. Since first becoming supporters of our organization in 1998, they have demonstrated what it truly means to invest in a mission. Today, as proud members of The Founders Circle, they reflect on a journey defined by generosity, leadership, and a deep personal commitment to helping children and families thrive.
From the beginning, Terri and Bart wanted to do more than write a check. They believed in building a community around the mission. They opened their home to host gatherings, introducing friends to Children’s Aid and inspiring new supporters to get involved. Terri played a key role in expanding support through her professional networks, including the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District’s annual “Miracle on Madison” fundraising week. Many of the donors they introduced remain connected to Children’s Aid today.
Together, they volunteered their time with the children in our programs, forming relationships that reinforced why their support mattered. Bart dedicated countless hours mentoring teens weekly in our after-school programs. They spent evenings helping kids with homework, coordinating trips to visit NBC Studios or go bowling at Chelsea Piers, and organizing once-in-a-lifetime events like a youth concert at the famous Birdland Jazz Club.
Their leadership continued to grow. Bart later joined the Board of Trustees and led one of its committees, lending his expertise and vision to help guide the organization’s future. Terri joined the board of Children’s Aid College Prep Charter School, helping to launch the school and expand educational opportunity in the Bronx. They continued to share the mission with their networks and contribute to the success of many organization fundraising events.
Terri and Bart encourage others to step forward with new ideas and fresh energy. They believe there is a place for everyone to contribute through volunteering, advocacy, or philanthropy. Confident in the direction of Children’s Aid’s future, they are equally proud to have been part of its history. We are deeply grateful to count them as supporters for so many years — and now as members of The Founders Circle.
Bart and Terri Eagle
Snapshots of the 27th Annual Children’s Aid Golf Classic
Friends, supporters, and partners gathered at Baltusrol Golf Club in May for a meaningful day on the green. Together, we raised more than $490,000, ensuring we can provide comprehensive supports that empower children, youth, and families. See how our community gathered together for New York City’s young people.
Key:
Photo
1. From left, Children’s Aid trustee José Tavarez, Children’s Aid President and CEO Phoebe Boyer, and Children’s Aid trustee and Golf Classic host committee member Tom Reynolds.
2. From left, Pace Bradshaw, Bill Dobbins, Worku Gachou, and Shawn Randall of Visa.
3. From left, Lawrence Ballard and John Wisinger pose before the tournament begins.
4. Curtis High School students hit the driving range at our Youth Golf Clinic.
5. From left, Golf Classic host committee member Clint Factor, NBC 4 New York’s lead sports anchor Bruce Beck, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, and Ted Bourke.
6. This year’s youth speaker, Isobell Addo, shares her Children’s Aid story with guests.
7. From left, Clif Morris, Hunter Hayek, Golf Classic host committee member Guy Kohles, Gavin O’Connor, Rocky Florio, and Mike Tansey at our cocktail reception.
8. Students and chaperones from Curtis High School, a Children’s Aid community school in Staten Island, attend our Youth Golf Clinic at Baltusrol Golf Club.
Children’s Aid Highlights
117 W 124th Street, 5th Floor New York, NY 10027
