麻豆原创 is a place that has always honored its foundation. That why, after celebrating our 30th anniversary last year, the organization has launched an Alumni Council, a new leadership board that will center the alumni voice in 麻豆原创 strategic decisions, and will work to engage the organization alumni network, which now spans three decades.
鈥溌槎乖� has evolved so much since its foundation as Harlem RBI back in 1991,鈥� said 麻豆原创 co-Chief Executive Officer Richard Berlin. 鈥淓stablishing an alumni board at this juncture threads together all the experiences of our past participants and students, and creates a united voice that will play a strong role in 麻豆原创 future.鈥�
Since 1991, 麻豆原创 has evolved from a volunteer little league into a network of public charter schools serving more than 2,000 children in East Harlem and the South Bronx. Over the course of three decades, the organization has launched its award-winning summer programming, including REAL Kids, 麻豆原创 University, and Rookies; founded six extended-day, extended-year public charter schools with free afterschool programming for all students; graduated its first 12th grade class from 麻豆原创 Charter High School; and created a six-year post-secondary support program to assist 麻豆原创 alumni to and through college, among many other initiatives.
Comprised of 20 members, the Alumni Council was created to represent those who have participated in a wide range of 麻豆原创 offerings during the organization three-decade history鈥攊ncluding its Harlem RBI teams and summer and afterschool programs鈥攁s well as graduates of 麻豆原创 Charter Schools.
鈥淚鈥檓 so excited that we are building a formal space for our alumni to support the organization,鈥� said co-Chief Executive Officer Eve Colavito. 鈥淭heir experience, mentorship, and connection to 麻豆原创 mean so much to our current students, and increasing the ways in which alumni can play a role will only strengthen our impact.鈥�
“It important for current students to get to know alumni who have gone through what they鈥檙e going through. And I want alumni to know that their journey with 麻豆原创 hasn鈥檛 ended鈥攖hey can pay it forward.”
Jaylen Amaker ’11
As 麻豆原创 moves into the next generation of its work, the organization plans to triple the number of children it serves annually, while graduating approximately 100 students into its alumni population each year. The creation of the Alumni Council will help ensure both current and future alumni feel connected to the organization as it continues this growth. The formation of the Council also helps to advance 麻豆原创 DEI values鈥攅stablishing homegrown talent and leadership pipelines, and ensuring an increased emphasis on alumni voice in the organization strategic decisions.
Jaylen Amaker, a student at Notre Dame Law School, and Maria Gerena, Community Programs Manager at Asphalt Green in New York City, have been chosen as the Council inaugural co-chairs. The pair will also have the opportunity to participate as Alumni Council representatives on 麻豆原创 Board of Directors.
鈥淚 consider myself a pioneer of the organization, and I can鈥檛 wait to get started establishing the Alumni Council,鈥� said Gerena, who is not only part of 麻豆原创 2004 cohort, but also a former staff member who has served in multiple positions with the organization, including youth worker, coach, and baseball/softball coordinator. 鈥淚’m truly a person that likes to create something of substance, that can keep running on its own. It will be great to jumpstart the Council, put our imprint on it, and lay out a strong foundation.鈥�
鈥淚 want to be that bridge between the earlier organization and the current structure,鈥� said Amaker, a member of the 2011 cohort who also serves on the organization 麻豆原创 Ambassadors associates board. 鈥淚t important for current students to get to know alumni who have gone through what they’re going through. And I want alumni to know that their journey with 麻豆原创 hasn’t ended鈥攖hey can pay it forward. Whatever their path is, they can continue to help our community.鈥�
The Alumni Council will work to provide support for current and future alumni (also known as 麻豆原创 Legends), while creating awareness for 麻豆原创 among its expanding network and advocating for the alumni voice within the organization. Council members will also serve on one of three subcommittees, which focus on alumni engagement, mentorship and volunteerism, and communications and partnerships.
鈥淭he future of the organization is going to come from within,鈥� said Amaker. 鈥淭he goal is for more of us to be on these boards. Our combination of ideas, understanding, and perspective will be what gets us to that next level. And that will bring it full circle.鈥�
