Rebuilding Together Update
For more than 60 years, Children’s Aid has served the East Harlem community, and our commitment to the children, youth, and families of East Harlem remains unwavering.
We have temporarily closed the East Harlem Center so we can rebuild. The existing center, which is nearly 100 years old and needs significant refurbishing, will be replaced with a modern facility that responds to community needs and priorities, and enables Children's Aid to deliver high-quality programs in the kind of facility the community deserves. (see the final Priorities Report: English and Spanish)
In August 2018, as we were completing our community engagement process and preparing for the September Block Party, local elected officials, Mount Sinai representatives, and the real estate developer asked Children's Aid to meet to discuss an alternative plan for the community and the East Harlem Center property. The original proposal by the real estate developer was luxury housing. However, at this meeting, the developer had a new proposal, a 10-story medical facility that would include new space for the Life Changers Church and Children's Aid.
Over four months, Children's Aid met with the East Harlem Center Community Advisory Committee to discuss the alternative proposal, the concerns and also the benefits to Children's Aid. Additionally, internally, Children's Aid staff were working diligently to finalize the programs and services of the new East Harlem Center, as well as determining costs for construction.
In a community meeting held on March 26, 2019, Children's Aid announced it was pursuing the rebuild of the East Harlem Center as part of a proposed new 10-story medical facility for Mount Sinai and new space for the Life Changers Church.
UPDATE: In February 2023, Children's Aid signed the contract to sell the land where the current East Harlem Center is located. The funds from the sale will be used solely to rebuild a new East Harlem Center that will focus on Children’s Aid programming and will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Members of the Community Advisory Committee
The East Harlem Center Community Advisory Committee was launched in September 2018. Committee members serve two-year terms and is comprised of representatives from the East Harlem community, families, youth and alumni of the East Harlem Center, and local elected officials.
Please check back for the advisory committee schedule.
Community Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule
All meetings will be held on Thursdays from 6 pm to 7 pm on Zoom. Please email eastharlem@childrensaid.nyc to receive the Zoom link for the upcoming meetings.