The Children’s Aid Society held a groundbreaking ceremony for its future Bronx Community School, which will serve as a community center and the new location of the Children’s Aid College Prep Charter School.
The six-story, 73,300-square-foot building is expected to open August 2016, at a total project cost of $45 million. The building will sit at 1232 Southern Boulevard, in close proximity to several other Children’s Aid locations that provide a comprehensive spectrum of social services to families.
“This building is about our children,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “This is about our future. We want an equal playing field and equal opportunities. That’s what Children’s Aid has given us.”
The state-of-the-art building will include a gymnasium/auditorium, cafeteria, expanded science room, art room, dedicated dance studio, music room, library/media center, and meeting rooms. When it opens in 2016, the new building will accommodate approximately 420 students spanning grades pre-K to 5.
Richard Buery, the deputy mayor of New York City for strategic initiatives, helped launch the project during his tenure as president and CEO of Children’s Aid. Today, he was on site to celebrate the groundbreaking, calling the center one of his proudest career achievements.
The Bronx Community School will be the most significant investment Children’s Aid has made as part of its continuing commitment to the South Bronx. Children’s Aid’s Bronx Family Center is nearby and offers access to licensed health, dental, and mental health services; foster care support services; and preventive services for families involved with the city’s child welfare system. There are also three other Children’s Aid early childhood centers close to the school as well as 11 other Children’s Aid community schools and the Next Generation Center, a facility for adolescents as they prepare for adulthood.
“This new space offers us the ability to expand our footprint in partnership with this vibrant community,” said Phoebe Boyer, the current president and CEO of Children’s Aid. “It will be a central hub and resource for this community. We are excited to cement our commitment to the South Bronx with the opening of this building.”
Jonathan Rose Companies worked closely with Children’s Aid throughout all phases of the project to date. FXFOWLE Architects, a firm committed to innovative design inspired by urbanism, technology and sustainable strategies, was selected as the project’s architect. Tekton Builders will continue to manage construction on the site.
The Children’s Aid Society is an independent, nonprofit organization established to serve the children of New York City. Our mission is to help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive supports to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Founded in 1853, it is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative non-sectarian agencies, serving New York’s neediest children. Services are provided in community schools, neighborhood centers, health clinics and camps. For additional information, please call Anthony Ramos at (212) 949-4938/ (917) 204-8214, email anthonyr@childrensaidsociety.org or visit www.childrensaidsociety.org.