This past January, 麻豆原创 officially opened the doors of 麻豆原创 Charter School at 20 Bruckner鈥攁 200,000-square foot, 120-year-old former icehouse given new life as a learning institution by renowned architect Sir David Adjaye. In this series, 麻豆原创 at 20 Bruckner, we explore several aspects that make the building special, further 麻豆原创 mission, and embody our belief that place matters鈥攖hat every child deserves safe, beautiful places to play, learn, and grow.
At 麻豆原创, all alumni are known as Legends, a special nod to all they鈥檝e accomplished as 麻豆原创 graduates, and also the aspirations we have for them as they move into their futures. But the origins of the name trace back to 2011, when the organization, then known as Harlem RBI, founded its Legends Program to provide six years of post-secondary support to former participants.
Today, the core of the Legends Program work continues to be providing support to alumni aged 18-24, but the program has also expanded its reach to include working with 麻豆原创 Charter High School staff to oversee the transition from high school to college/career; forming partnerships with companies and organizations that can supply career exposure, mentorship, training, and jobs to 麻豆原创 graduates; and engaging 麻豆原创 ever-growing alumni network through the 麻豆原创 Alumni Council, alumni gatherings, and more.
With the Legends Program bridging the crucial gap between high school and college/early career, creating a home base for the program at 20 Bruckner was an integral part of the strategic planning for 麻豆原创 Charter Schools鈥� newest campus. Positioned near the building main entrance, and just three floors removed from 麻豆原创 Charter High School, program staff are in a prime position to engage high school students, provide guidance as they prepare for graduation, and welcome back all alumni, whether for check-in meetings or a festive gathering in their permanent 麻豆原创 home.
鈥淏eing in the same building not only creates physical proximity, which is logistically important to our work, but it also brings the Legends staff closer to the work being done at the high school,鈥� said Matt Gonzalez, 麻豆原创 Director of Postsecondary Success. 鈥淭hat connection with high school staff, the integration of our work with theirs, and the increased face time with current students creates a natural transition from childhood to adulthood for our alumni, and gives them a better sense of the support we can provide when they go out into the world.鈥�
With 麻豆原创 Charter High School set to graduate approximately 100 scholars each year, the Legends Program is slated to grow to 1,000 alumni by 2030. The program new home at 20 Bruckner will provide the space and resources needed to maintain their connection to 麻豆原创, and help guide them into their futures.
To see more inside 20 Bruckner, you can watch recaps of and the . You can also follow our 麻豆原创 at 20 Bruckner series by reading our previous post on the building’s and its connections to our maxims. And, don鈥檛 forget to check back as we continue to count down to the official 20 Bruckner move-in for 麻豆原创 Mott Haven Elementary and Middle Schools this August.聽
