Nonprofit leaders speak out on foster youth arrests

The leaders of two nonprofits have something to say about how New York City pursues foster care youth who run away. A Dec. 6 New York Times article reports on how the Administration for Children’s Services uses family court to get arrest warrants for youth, an approach that is unheard of among other child welfare agencies.

“When youths leave their foster homes, they are often running to a place that is familiar and comfortable as they try to cope with the trauma and instability inherent to placement in foster care,” Sheltering Arms Executive Director Elizabeth McCarthy wrote in a letter to the editor.

“If other states are finding better ways to protect the children in their care – without criminalizing them in the process – why not New York?” wrote Sandy Santana, executive director of Children’s Rights, in a separate letter to the editor on the same webpage.

UJA-Federation of New York raised $31 million at a Dec. 10 event. That’s right – $31 million – $2 million more than last year’s Wall Street Dinner, according to a Dec. 13 press release. The Manhattan event honored Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon and Anton Levy, managing director and global head of technology of General Atlantic.

… And there was talk of how Trump’s tax law is working out among the billionaires within the 2,000 people in attendance, according to Crain’s New York.

More than 2000 attendees and more than $31 million raised at our Annual Wall Street Dinner tonight! #UJAwallstreet pic.twitter.com/CM9ejv4XN5

— UJA-Federation of NY (@UJAfedNY) December 10, 2018

Bridge Builders Community Partnership has received a $1.05 million contract from the New York City Administration for Children’s Services. The money will fund a community partnership program, according to the City Record. ACS has also secured some language interpretation services, per a $160,000 contract renewal with Accurate Communications. Tell Every Amazing Lady About Ovarian Cancer will deliver $189,842 worth of mental health services for adults on behalf of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Bridging Access To Care has a $7.94 million contract to deliver mental health services and supported housing on behalf of the department.

The New York Women’s Foundation has received a $2.25 million grant from the CBS Corporation. This money will support the foundation’s Fund for the Me Too Movement and Allies, which aims to help the #MeToo movement effectuate social change. Specifically, the fund invests in organizations for and by survivors of sexual violence, according to a Dec. 14 press release.

“This funding will enable The Fund for the Me Too Movement and Allies to expand its support of women of color activists nationwide, particularly in under-resourced areas where support and investment are critically needed.” Ana Oliveira, president and CEO of the foundation, said in the press release. “We know that the best solutions for problems faced by communities come from leaders within communities. That’s why we are partnering with women’s foundations across the country, to leverage their expertise in helping identify and support regional and local survivor-led organizations for investment.”