JCCGCI has officially been awarded a close to $15 million, six-year grant under the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development’s (DYCD) Comprehensive After School System of New York City (COMPASS) funding stream. This significant investment will allow JCCGCI not only to continue its highly successful after-school and summer programming at long-standing partner schools, but also to expand services beginning this September to additional schools and students in the community.

Rabbi Moshe Wiener, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI), expressed profound gratitude for the award and the opportunity to further expand services for the children and families of Crown Heights.

“We are profoundly grateful to the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development and to its new Commissioner, Hon. Sandra Escamilla-Davies for the trust and confidence demonstrated through these significant COMPASS awards,” said Rabbi Moshe Wiener, Executive Director of JCCGCI. “This investment will enable JCCGCI and our outstanding school partners to continue providing safe, enriching, and nurturing environments where children can strengthen academically, socially, and emotionally during the critical after-school hours. We are especially grateful to Mrs. Chanie Moskowitz and her dedicated team for designing a unique, award-winning COMPASS model tailored to the needs of our communities — a model that has consistently earned praise and excellent performance evaluations from DYCD. JCCGCI remains deeply committed to expanding opportunities for children and families and helping every child develop the confidence, skills, and support necessary to thrive and succeed.”

The renewed, expanded funding will support programming at two additional schools: Lubavitcher Yeshiva – Ocean Parkway, and Yeshiva Darchai Menachem, creating new opportunities for children to access safe, structured, and enriching environments outside of regular school hours.

In total, close to three hundred children and families will benefit annually from these expanded services.

JCCGCI’s after-school programs are designed to provide far more than childcare. The programs create supportive environments where students can strengthen academic skills, build confidence, develop friendships, explore creative interests, and participate in meaningful enrichment activities that support healthy emotional and social development.

The programs offer a broad range of activities tailored to the interests and needs of participating students, including homework assistance, recreational programming, arts and creative expression, sports, leadership development, and hands-on enrichment opportunities. Summer programming further expands these experiences through engaging camps and specialized activities that help students remain active, connected, and engaged during school breaks.

The COMPASS Elementary model (to be offered at Yeshiva Darchai Menachem) specifically serves students from Kindergarten through 5th grade and is designed to support the whole child through a comprehensive approach to youth development. In addition to STEM-based learning opportunities, the programs integrate literacy throughout instruction while also offering homework help, arts education, physical activity, and nutritional programming that promotes healthy living habits. COMPASS Elementary programs operate three hours each day, five days per week, including programming on select school holidays throughout the academic year, with continued services offered during the summer months.

The SONYC (School’s Out NYC), COMPASS’s middle school model serves students in 6th through 8th grades (being offered at Lubavitcher Yeshiva – Crown Street, Associated Beth Rivkah Schools and at Lubavitcher Yeshiva – Ocean Parkway). Structured around a club-based model, SONYC gives students greater choice in how they spend their time while offering rigorous enrichment opportunities in sports, arts, and youth leadership development. The model also extends learning beyond traditional classrooms through educational trips and experiences throughout New York City. SONYC programs operate three hours per day, five days per week during the school year, with summer services available at select locations.

These programs are particularly important at a time when families continue to seek high-quality after-school opportunities that provide both educational support and safe spaces for children during critical after-school hours. Research consistently shows that participation in quality after-school programming can improve academic performance, strengthen social and emotional skills, reduce risky behaviors, and increase long-term educational success. JCCGCI’s COMPASS programs reflect the organization’s broader commitment to investing in children, families, and communities by ensuring young people have access to the resources and support systems they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

JCCGCI extends its sincere gratitude to the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and its new Commissioner, Hon. Sandra Escamilla-Davies, for its continued partnership and investment in after-school programming that strengthens opportunities for children and families throughout New York City. JCCGCI is also deeply grateful to the participating schools, educators, program staff, and families whose collaboration and support help make these programs possible.

As these programs continue to grow, JCCGCI remains committed to creating spaces where children can learn, build confidence, discover new interests, and develop the tools they need for long-term success.

👉 Want to get involved with JCCGCI? Visit https://www.jccgci.org/programs/partner-with-us/