What is Zone 126?

Anju J. Rupchandani is a native of Astoria, Queens and a graduate from William C. Bryant High School, one of Zone126’s targeted schools. She first began her career in youth development close to 20 years ago with the Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation at her local elementary school in District # 30. While attending college she continued to work in the field of youth development in a variety of leadership roles. Anju’s experience varies a great deal from program design and administration, to facilitating school-age child care trainings, as well as having knowledge in fundraising and oversight of multiple endangered out-of-school time programs. Anju has held positions as Program Director at SASF, Sunnyside Community Services, and the Educational Alliance/Boys & Girls Club of America. Anju holds a dual bachelor’s degree in Adolescent Education and History from Pace University’s School of Education, an Executive Management Certificate from Fordham University, Executive Certification from Columbia Business School and a Master’s degree from Bank Street College of Education in Leadership in Community Based Learning.

Valentina is a proud Latinx excited about working in the diverse community of Astoria. Before joining the IS 126 community, she graduated from Columbia University with an M.S. in Negotiation and Conflict resolution; her studies led her to practice in the field of diversity, inclusion and restorative justice. She has extensive experience working with children and families in multicultural communities impacted by socio-economic disparities. Her travels have enriched her perspective on the responsibility each citizen holds in engaging locally to impact issues globally. Valentina promotes parental engagement, social and emotional development, and community building.

Born in Astoria, Queens, but raised in South Florida, Nílber’s childhood dream was to return to the city of their birth and realized this in late 2018 after reaching a critical crossroads and made a transformative decision to set themselves on a new personal and professional life-path. On the professional track, this led them to Zone 126, devoted to and located in the very neighborhood (three blocks from the hospital) where they were born. Since college, most of Nílber’s professional career has been immersed in the non-profit sector, dedicated to supporting the fulfillment of causes and missions fighting for and uplifting marginalized communities such as LGBTQ+ communities or youth of color by helping to provide the strategic and foundational support services that undergird every organization whether it be operations, logistics and/or data management.

Catherine Vozikis is a proud Queens native and product of public schools. She graduated from New York University with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Throughout college she served as a mentor and guide in dynamic capacities, working with populations such as first-year students, homeless youth, and adults with co-occurring disorders. Serving as an educator and mentor with City Year Philadelphia in a K-8 public school after college, she saw lateness and poor attendance as an overarching issue that affected academic performance. Her experience is what led her to Zone 126, where she became an Attendance Success Mentor Coordinator at IS 126Q. Catherine is determined in supporting students and their families in getting their needs met and breaking down barriers to success, while also making school fun and engaging for all.