Welcome to Broadway Stages’ Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we are featuring some of New York City’s Latinx All-Stars. This week, the spotlight shines on the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families (CHCF) and their terrific work!

The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families (CHCF) works to enrich Latinx youth and their loved ones through education, self-agency, and advocacy. What sets CHCF apart from other great organizations is its holistic, communal approach at the local, state and national levels to advance the next generation. Here’s a look at a few of the programs that make CHCF exceptional.

The Early Care and Education Institute provides Family Child Care educators with culturally informed, bilingual professional training. As a result, those educators support at least 3,000 childcare providers who, in turn, support 14,000 children.

The Family Child Care Network (FCCN) partners with the NYC Department of Education to offer 3-K and EarlyLearn (for children ages 6 weeks to 2 years old) in a home setting by a licensed, qualified childcare provider. In addition, the FCCN delivers training, coaching, support, and services to affiliated family child care programs.

Youth Development provides community-based and after-school programs. These programs enhance students’ education and make learning fun. Using innovative technology and creative hands-on learning, students have greater opportunities to succeed in school. But in keeping with its communal approach, CHCF doesn’t just work with students — all of the youth development programs integrate educational opportunities that involve the entire family.

One aspect of the Youth Development department is Opening Doors to the Future (ODF). ODF works with students attending CHCF’s high school site, Bronx High School of Business. Amazingly, 100% of ODF students graduated with a diploma and were attending college in Fall 2019.

CHCF is also active in policy and advocacy matters at the local, state, and national levels. They give voice to the Latinx community regarding education, language access, early care, immigration, health, and child welfare issues.

But at its heart, CHCF is about community empowerment. They give life to their mission daily by connecting people with childcare, affordable housing, immigration support, and other social services, such as food stamps or unemployment.

Join us in supporting CHCF and their efforts to combine education, capacity-building, and advocacy to strengthen the support system and continuum of learning for children and youth in our community.  Learn more about their programs on the video below and consider a donation today.