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Harlem's source for developing confidence, resilience,
academic skills, and adult/family support
to be the foundation for helping Harlem's
children become responsible, self-sufficient adults.
Would you like to change lives? Maybe, you want to Volunteer
at an upcoming Event? Let us know! We'd love to have you on board!
Whether you wish to be on our board, a volunteer
or a donor, your contribution means to the world to us.


Welcome To Harlem Dowling-West Side Center for Children & Family Services


As a not-for-profit child welfare agency, Harlem Dowling-West Side Center for Children & Family Services works to develop confidence, resilience, academic skills, and adult/family support that enables the children we serve to become responsible, self-sufficient adults. Founded in 1836 as the Colored Orphan's Asylum, the organization provides family preservation, family support services for children with development disabilities, after school programming, evidence-informed interventions, groups, and Emergency Food Pantry services to individuals residing in the New York City area.

We keep families together by offering an array of services to meet their needs. Our programs are strength-based and family-centered with 98% of the children remaining safely at home with their families in a nurturing environment. We provide after school services to more than 500 children daily while our Emergency Food Pantry provides food packages to more than 5,000 New Yorkers each year.

Our Agency Services.


CHILDREN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Harlem Dowling-West Side Center for Children and Family Services has been providing after school services in the Harlem community for more than 20 years. We have provided after-school programming to more than 6,000 youth in Harlem. Our program includes the Intergenerational Service Learning program with Logan Gardens, an assisted living residence for seniors. Our collaboration with Columbia University's Teachers College provides various educational opportunities for our participants. Programming includes Health & Nutrition, Literacy, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Mathematics) activities such as a robotics.

EVIDENCE-BASED & EVIDENCE-INFORMED SERVICES
Strong African American Families
Harlem Dowling is the first agency in New York State to provide Strong African American Families (SAAF) groups that are supported by research evidence. Strong African-American Families (SAAF) and Strong African-American Families – Teen (SAAF-T) interventions provides a safe and supportive group setting through which parents/caregivers and children aged 10-14 and 14-16 respectively, can come together to strengthen their relationships, develop constructive conflict resolution skills, and address common issues that the children and their parents/caregivers face at work, home, and school.

GenerationPMTO (Parent Management Training – The Oregon Model)
Harlem Dowling is also one of two agencies in New York State to offer GenerationPMTO (Parent Management Training – the Oregon Model) that is well supported by research evidence. GenerationPMTO treatment program is a 12-session, individual intervention that provides parents/caregivers with tools, support, and strategies to promote their children's healthy adjustment and well-being.

"Each year, Harlem Dowling serves more than 7,500 individuals including children, their families, and senior citizens."

99%

Keeping Families Together
6+

Family Programs
25

Corporate Partners
382670

Families Helped Since 1836

Our Board Of Directors


Karen Dixon
Executive Director

Flor Saltiel
President

Dawn Speaks
Vice President

Sandra Fumei
Treasurer

Wendy Hewlett
Board Member

Natash Reid
Board Member

Dr. Bert Petersen
Board Member

Bisrat Mekbeb
Board Member

Jane D. Edwards - President Emeritus

HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS

Jane Dustan

David Furer

Gregory Fusco

Alvin C. Hudgins

Arthur E. Young, Esq.

Mark V. Monteverdi (Emeritus)