Dear Friend,

There’s a growing conversation in New York City and across the country about the important role that community-level data can play in driving policy conversations aimed at strengthening child and family well-being.

As you know, CCC has been at the forefront of data-driven efforts to make the case for policies, programs and budgets that improve the lives of New York’s children and supports and strengthens families. At the heart of this work for nearly 25 years is our Keeping Track of New York City’s Children database, which helps to illustrate what life is like for children and families across each of the city’s 59 community districts.

Over the last year and a half, that data has helped us produce comprehensive assessments of community assets and challenges in Brownsville, Brooklyn; northern Manhattan; and the North Shore of Staten Island. While each community is unique, we found a number of similar trends in all three studies, including a lack of access to needed services due to fears around immigration status and profound transportation barriers; constrained economic mobility tied to work in low wage sectors and fields; the desire for convenient co-located and intergenerational programming and access to services in non-stigmatizing settings.

Through our participatory research, we have heard from many parents, youth and service providers who are working hard to make their communities better places for children and families. They are champions for safer streets, affordable housing in good repair, well-resourced schools, high quality affordable child care, after school and summer programs that align with their work schedules, and more. And they are standing up and speaking out to protect the most vulnerable New Yorkers.

The more we learn about the experiences of New Yorkers throughout our city, the more it becomes clear that we must keep a laser-like focus on how we as a society are responding or failing to respond to community needs and opportunities. Our work at CCC speaks to the important role that each of us has to play in ensuring that children and families in every community have a strong and steady voice in the decisions that are made at every level of government.

As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude – to our partners in nonprofit, government and philanthropy working with us to champion practical, effective solutions to address the needs of children and families. We thank, as well, the parents and youth who have shared their personal stories and demonstrated an eagerness to be a voice for the change needed in their communities. Finally, thank you to each and every one of you who have supported CCC and invested in our critical mission to ensure that every child is healthy, housed, educated and safe.

Below are highlights of just a few of the ways we are working together to use data to drive conversations about the needs of children and families across our city, and our efforts to engage with community members in identifying and advocating for needed solutions that will help make New York City a better place for every child.

Sincerely,
Jennifer March, Ph.D.
Executive Director