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HEAF@Brooklyn Changes Lives ONE STUDENT at a Time
by Christine Berardi
The Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF) gives students the opportunity to think about, prepare for and pursue the many options available when it comes to higher education. HEAF offers high-quality programming for the “forgotten middle” - middle-achieving students from low-income families who don’t qualify for remedial or extremely competitive school programs.
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The 11-year suite of college access and success services of five programs gives HEAF’s students the preparation needed for future success. High Expectations prepares middle schoolers for admission to college-prep high schoo l and specialized high school admissions tests. Summer Quest is a middle-school summer program designed to combat summer learning loss. College Quest is an intensive curriculum offering SAT prep and college tours to students. Onward is a college success program providing students with resources to successfully transition to college and earn a degree on time. Youth Development and Leadership Academy offers leadership development, character building and service learning to young people.
While most of the programs are held at its headquarters in Harlem, NY, HEAF@ Brooklyn brings HEAF to 50 students in the borough. Prior to the pandemic, HEAF@
Brooklyn met at a local school and went to virtual programming during Covid when schools closed.
According to Michael Johnson, President & CEO, HEAF, many of Brooklyn’s HEAF’s students requested to continue with the virtual and hybrid programs. “Although, we believe, there is nothing like participating in programming in person, we will offer virtual instruction and courses to our students. Each student should have an amazing HEAF experience.”
There may be a new Brooklyn location as the scheduling with the school was not ideal. “We are working to find a new home for HEAF@Brooklyn so young people can stay close to home and get the best experience of participating with their friends right next to them. They also will have the continued virtual option,” Johnson said. “We want students to have the best HEAF experience no matter where they are located.”
