Addressing

Chronic Absenteeism

& Improving Educational Outcomes

I feel like Zone 126 already helped change us even though we had just started high school. Imagine if from Pre-K or Kindergarten all the way to 12th grade students have had a good structure created by Zone 126. Honestly, kids spend more than half of their time in school, so if they don’t have that structure, or if they don’t have good role models in schools, its not going to help them.

They offer a lot of opportunities, especially college help. I know for many of us that’s a fear, and we’re not prepared for college and the future – life after high school. Zone 126 has really helped me know what I want to do, see what schools I want to attend, and the opportunities there are.

The creation and close partnership with Zone 126 since 2011 has been integral to achieving student success in Western Queens. It has taken 13 years, but it is deeply gratifying to see the CBO, school and program partnerships come together to ensure that students are attending school 10 more days per school year, a tremendous indicator for student success. We are incredibly proud.

Zone 126 has an after-school program that helps benefit the teens. It can help with, homework help and more, but it’s a place where kids can feel safe. They have people to talk to. Its somewhere where people can use their creative minds and be themselves and not be judged. They can do things of their interest, and they can get college help or any help that they need. So, it’s an after school-program that benefits the children and their needs.

Zone 126 is more than an after-school program, they have many lots of clubs and programs that run during the school day, like College n’ Career Speed Chat n’ Chew that help us make connections with professionals that are useful to us. We get very useful advice about careers. They create a safe space for us to go during our lunch periods or to go speak anyone we need to at any time.

I feel like Zone 126 is a really, really huge support system. Its not just mental health support, but academic help as well. Recently they added college support as well as homework help. I feel like Zone 126 has really helped shape a lot of students. You can say “Oh I’ve learned how to paint or draw or express myself as I am and not be as shy.

I feel like Zone 126 staff are really good role models, and that more children need role models, very positive role models. Because if they shaped us from 13 to 17, what can they do with elementary school kids from five to 10, and 11 to 13 who are about to attend high school. I feel like they would be better for communities overall.

Zone 126 staff sat me down every day for a whole week, and I was able to get my college essays done within less than a couple of days, after months of procrastinating and not being ready for the thought of college.

When you’re struggling with a class, Zone 126 staff will sit you down and do goal setting with you. They’ll find a structure and they’ll be like, “Okay prioritize this or that.” They’ll help you get your work done and on time, so that you don’t fail or procrastinate. They’ll always push you to go to classes, push you and motivate you. It’s very helpful because you get things done.

The school pantry provided by Zone 126 has been a big help for my family. We are a family of seven and we have had a lot of hardships, like many other families in the neighborhood. I am trying to better my education and I am about to become a Medical Assistant and unfortunately, I am not working right now. It’s a good support and especially when is given with love and dignity. Thank you.