COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

• GED/ABE Preparatory Program-FREE
  Rose Shargo, Director 718.508.3881 rshargo@sijcc.com
  Maria Anselmo, Program Coordinator 718.508.3882 manselmo@sijcc.com

The JCC offers GED preparatory classes which provide students with the necessary skills needed to pass the GED (high school equivalency diploma) exam. Classes are FREE and are taught by qualified instructors. Day and evening schedules are available. Official State Practice tests are administered to all students to determine when their ready to pass the GED exam. This program provides scheduling for all eligible students to take their GED exam at the local testing center. Requirements for admittance; applicant must be 17.5 years old or older at the time of registration and score an intermediate level or higher on the entrance exam. Enrollment is limited for this successful program. If you are serious about continuing your education, call our GED Hotline 718.508.3895. Become friends with us on Facebook @ "JCC Ged".

• Citizenship Preperation-FREE

Please call 718.508.3885 for further information and availability.

Part of the naturalization process includes successfully completing a test administered by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service. This course helps prepare immigrants to take that test by introducing US history and government with the appropriate English vocabulary and grammar structure for ESL students who are preparing to take the US citizenship examination. Practice questions and books are supplied.

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

- Harriet Tubman

• ESL- English as a Second Language-FREE

Carolyn Magliolo, ESL Coordinator, 718.508.3885 cmagliolo@sijcc.com

This program is designed to help immigrants in the community learn and improve their English language skills. Regardless of the language you speak, we can teach you English. There are classes available in both beginner and intermediate levels. This is an intensive course given two times a week for a 10 week cycle. Students are assessed and put into appropriate classes according to level. The focus is to facilitate conversational English, reading and writing in order for students to find employment, make promotional gains and increase involvement in their children’s education.

• Improve English language acquisition to non-native speakers

• Improve basic literacy levels of reading, writing, math and content area knowledge

• Help participating adults adapt better to social circumstances and better participate in their communities

• Help immigrant adults develop the skills to gain employment

• Help obtain citizenship skills

• Help students attain a GED

• Improve communication among parents, teachers and school administrators

Literacy Zone Program-FREE
Joanne Springstead, Coordinator-Please call 718.981.1716 or 718.508.3882
The JCC is pleased to announce an exciting new initiative called the Literacy Zone Program. Literacy Zones were developed by the New York State Board of Regents and the State Education Department to close the achievement gap in urban and rural communities of concentrated poverty and large numbers of families and individuals with limited literacy or English language proficiency. The program provides a systemic focus on meeting the literacy needs of communities, from birth to adult. The JCC, in partnership with Project Hospitality, El Centro del Immigrante and Make the Road New York will have two Family Welcome Centers at which interested individuals can obtain comprehensive services focusing on offering them pathways out of poverty. Services include the following:
• A continuum of literacy services from early childhood through adult, including strong support for parent involvement in their child’s literacy development at home and engagement with the school system;
• Assistance and support for at-risk youth to enable them to complete high school and succeed in postsecondary education or advanced training;
• Postsecondary transition that enable out-of-school youth and adults to attain a high school equivalency
diploma and succeed in postsecondary education;
• Programs that enable out-of-school youth and adults who are receiving public assistance, food stamps, or families with family incomes less than 200% of poverty to obtain and retain employment;
• Pathways to citizenship and English language proficiency for limited English language adults;
• Workforce development programs, including apprenticeship, career and technical education, and
career pathways;
• Support for mature workers and senior citizens to enable them to stay out of poverty Family Welcome Center, 1859 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314.

• Health Insurance (CHIP)

Maureen Fisher, CHIP Director 718.981.1400 ext. 240 mfisher@sijcc.com

Since 2000, our Community Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) have been offering enrollment into Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and Medicaid at convenient locations on Staten Island, and help with problems or issues you might have with your insurance carrier or health care provider through our Managed Care Consumer Assistance Program (MCCAP).
At our offices, friendly and knowledgeable enrollers will help you determine eligibility and apply for the appropriate public health insurance program, available to almost all children under the age of 19 and moderate to low income adults. These terrific New York State funded insurance programs have helped residents manage their health through comprehensive benefits. Enrollers will also help you choose a health plan and primary care physician – all at no cost to you! In 2008 the staff at the CHIPS office enrolled over 6,000 people into health insurance programs and Staten Island Health Access. Recent increases in income and resource levels makes more people than ever eligible for public health insurance programs. Call the CHIP office to see if you qualify.
Our MCCAP coordinators are there for you, to assist you in answering questions and solving problems. Knowledgeable and caring, they will help you navigate the confusing maze of managed care, whether you have public or private health insurance. They can also screen you for public health insurance eligibility, assist you with your re-certification, and conduct information sessions on a variety of topics, including "Consumer Rights and Responsibilities" and "Public Health Insurance Eligibility and Re-certification." Please call at 718.981.1400 if you are interested in scheduling an Information Session at your business or organization. Visit us at our main office located at 1859 Victory Boulevard (between Manor Road and Jewett Avenue) or telephone us at 718.981.1400 to see if you qualify for one of our programs. Our enrollers can offer assistance in a number of languages including English, Spanish, Polish, Russian, Yiddish, Hindi, Urdu and Arabic.

Other convenient locations include:
• Avis/South Shore JCC, 1297 Arthur Kill Road 718.475.5271
• Project Hospitality, 514 Bay Street 718.720.8807
• El Centro del Imigrante, 1546 Castleton Avenue 718.981.1400
• Community Health Center of Richmond, 166 Port Richmond Ave. 718.981.1400

• I.S. 49 JCC/Beacon Program
  Ingrid Ebanks, Director 718.556.1565
  Steve Kessler, Afterschool Coordinator
  Now in its tenth year of service to the communities of Park Hill and Stapleton on the north shore of Staten Island, the JCC/Beacon Program offers a wide variety of essential services to school age children as well as adults. Our mission is to provide activities that are not generally available to residents of these communities. Regularly scheduled afterschool, evening and Saturday programs include academic tutoring, social services, recreation, leadership development, music, dance, art and drama as well as nutritional counseling, pregnancy prevention, good health recommendations, cultural and educational special events.
  We provide services to over 1,800 youth and adults each month.
• Tottenville JCC/Beacon
  Program at Tottenville High School
  Cliff Bloom, Director 718.605.3033
  The JCC/Beacon program at Tottenville High School provides opportunities to community residents of the south shore of Staten Island. Our goal is to offer additional recreation, leadership development and social services, all free of charge to our community. As we enter our third year at Tottenville, we will be serving over 1,800 students and adults each month. We will continue to offer services and activities that are necessary but not as available to our community residents as they would like. We will try and be a resource for a lack of services that our community residents' desire.
• JCC/Beacon Satellite
  Ingrid Ebanks, Director 718.981.0500
  Starting its second year, the JCC/Beacon Satellite provides services for both children and adults in the NYCHA Housing in Stapleton. Similar to the IS 49 program, there is an afterschool program for children followed by diverse activities for adults in the evening. Activities at the Beacon Satellite are age appropriate and based on the expressed needs and interests of the participants.

• Reality Check - Youth Action Against Tobacco Use

• Every year, tobacco kills over 400,000 Americans. That's 1200 a day!
• Over $15.5 million is spent on advertising every year; that means almost $500,000 is spent in New York State alone!
Decreasing the social acceptability of tobacco use is a dire need.
Are you interested in making a difference in your community & city? Do you want to meet new friends, travel, and have a great time all while helping to save lives? Are you between the ages of 13 and 18? Then Reality Check is for you.
Contact Julian Kaplan, 718.475.5277 or jkaplan@sijcc.com

• Cornerstone Initiative at the Gerard Carter Community Center

(Managed by JCC professionals and staff from the community)

 GERARD CARTER COMMUNITY CENTER

230 Broad Street, Staten Island, NY 10304

Telephone: 718.981.0500, Fax: 718.448.5616

Hours of Operation

During the school year: Mondays – Fridays 2pm – 10 pm, Saturdays 8am – 3pm

Summers: Monday - Fridays 8am – 6pm 

Funded by the Department of Youth & Community Development/Cornerstone Initiative Community Based Organization: Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, New York City Housing Authority 

The overall aim of the Cornerstone Initiative is to:

• foster the healthy development of NYCHA youth

• provide engaging and relevant programs for adults

• promote intergenerational activities

• support a vibrant community center offering benefits to residents of all ages.

 The Cornerstone program provides year round out-of-school time activities for youth ages 5 through 21 and programs for adults 22 and older, including seniors. Programs will promote healthy physical, emotional and social development of both youth and adults. Youth programs are designed to help young participants acquire the skills and attitudes to stay on track, graduate from high school, pursue their chosen career pathways and contribute to the well-being of their peers and families and community. Adult programs will focus on recreational activities and programs that enhance skills and promote social interaction and community engagement.

 The Cornerstone program provides a comprehensive menu of activities during evenings and Saturdays for youth, teens and adults.

Activities include: leadership development, computers, art, dance, music, recording and video classes, open basketball and leagues, physical conditioning, game room activities, cooking, plus much more.

 Project Hospitality will be on site to provide services to families in need of health care, mental health, alcohol and substance abuse, vocational training, legal assistance and empowerment services including debt reduction counseling, food and nutrition education and classes in health and wellness.

• The Cornerstone After School Program takes place Monday - Friday, 2 pm – 6 pm.

Homework help and tutoring is provided by students from the College of Staten Island along with JCC Cornerstone staff. Theme based programming includes, but is not limited to: Literacy Enrichment, Computer Classes, Art, Music, Dance, Drama and Physical activities. The After School program is open during 15 school holidays from 8 am – 6 pm allowing parents to continue to work without disruption. Students must register for the After School Program and spaces are limited.

• The Cornerstone Summer Camp Program takes place eight weeks in the summer, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm.

The variety of activities include opportunities for swimming, field trips and specialists. All participants must enroll for the summer camp program even if already enrolled during the school year.

For information on upcoming events or registration, feel free to call or walk in! All programs are free and registration is required but easy to complete.

• Police Officer Gerard Carter

The community center was named after Police Officer Gerard Carter who was killed in the line of duty while apprehending a suspect who was believed to be wanted for murder. He took a bullet through the windshield of his patrol van. Officer Carter is best remembered for always doing and giving more than what was expected. He was a police officer for five years and chose to become a police officer because he realized that the city needed a cop with heart, with feeling and emotion for the people he served. As he patrolled the streets of Stapleton he knew so well, Officer Carter was able to balance his authority with compassion because he knew the streets, he knew the problems and he was trying to make a difference.

The Gerard Carter Community Center is a wonderful testimonial to his commitment to the community and his love for being a role model to youth programs in which he volunteered.