The Association to Benefit Children (ABC) was created to amplify the voices of defenseless children by combating the debilitating effects of poverty and championing the right of every child to a joyful and nurturing childhood.
At Echo Park, ABC’s one-stop, multi-service, neighborhood family center in the heart of East Harlem, children from ages 5-21 participate in the Therapeutic Afterschool Program that provides structure and consistent support for at-risk children as they develop their academic skills, resilience, and self-esteem. Structured recreational play, academic mentoring, and experiential learning opportunities—including sports, gardening and nutrition programs, and computer science workshops—encourage academic and social-emotional development. Afterschool also offers a technology-based enrichment program, Study Buddies Connect, which uses half-hour telephone and video chats between children and their volunteer buddies to further strengthen academic skills and goals.
