Author: Frank Haberle

New Settlement celebrates the announcement of Meisha Ross Porter as the New York City Schools Chancellor.  Chancellor Porter, who has served the children of the Bronx as a teacher, then Principal, then Superintendent before becoming Bronx Executive Superintendent, is a product of New York City Public Schools and has dedicated her life to fighting for equity, strong leadership and collaboration in our schools and communities. She is the first African American woman to lead the New York City Department of Education. Having worked her way up through the ranks of NYCDOE, Chancellor Porter brings a great awareness of the challenges city schools face, and uniquely positioned to lead our schools, in the Bronx and across the city, into the future.

“Chancellor Porter is the right person, at the right time, to lead our school system as we bring our youth and families back from the Covid-19 crisis. We are extremely excited about her appointment. This is a tremendous opportunity to build stronger, safer and more equitable public schools, here in The Bronx and across the City,” said New Settlement Executive Director Rigaud Noel.

Chancellor Porter has worked with New Settlement’s parent organizing arm, the Parent Action Committee, to start the Bronx Borough Equity & Access Team – the first Boroughwide Equity Space in New York City. She has been a strong advocate for implementing restorative justice programs and healing centers for our schools as a proven, positive alternative to punitive disciplinary structures.

Chauncy Young, Director of PAC, worked closely with Chancellor Porter when she was Executive Bronx Superintendent to empower parents to lead the fight for safer schools.  “Meisha set the expectations for the first Boroughwide commitment to school-based equity teams. She has brought energy and resources from the DOE into this work. We are hopeful that her commitment to work with us to support youth and families will continue.”

In addition to PAC, Chancellor Porter has also been a strong advocate for College Access and Success Initiatives, including New Settlement’s College Access Center program on Walton Avenue and on Taft Educational Campus.  New Settlement has been a part of a four-year campaign to get the DOE to support Student Success Centers/increased college access supports at DOE Schools. To learn more about Chancellor Porter, please visit:

https://bronx.news12.com/learn-more-about-the-next-new-york-city-schools-chancellor-meisha-porter

New Settlement’s Youth-Led Student Success Center at Taft Educational Campus is a finalist in the NYC Civic Engagement Commission’s ‘It’s Your Money’ competition! If you are between 9 and 24 years of age, please consider voting for our program and for other excellent youth-led programs operating around the city! To learn more, register and vote, please visit  https://www.participate.nyc.gov/

 

In December, New Settlement partnered with International nonprofit Global Humanitarian to distribute 500 food packages and toys to families of our community, and school supplies to 600 children in our after school programs. The event was highlighted on Channel 12 News-Bronx.

 

Allison Palmer, who has been the founding director of New Settlement’s College Access and Success Initiatives for the past two decades, has been promoted as New Settlement’s first Associate Executive Director! In her new role Allison will work closely with incoming Executive Director Rigaud Noel to manage and develop programs, create systems and policies for efficiency & efficacy, and build infrastructure to deepen our work and ensure high program quality. Congratulations Allison!

This December New Settlement was excited to welcome our new Executive Director, Rigaud Noel, to our community!  Rigaud comes to New Settlement with a strong track record in providing children, youth and families opportunities for educational and career advancement to help them succeed in school, work and life. Over the last 20 years, he has served in senior management and executive positions at various non-profits across New York City. Most recently, Rigaud served as Chief Partnership Officer at New York Edge, one of the largest after-school providers in New York State. During his tenure, he was able to secure over $6 million in new funding, establish new partnerships with schools, colleges/ universities and community based organizations, as well as successfully serve as a steering committee member with the board of directors, assisting in the completion of a three year strategic plan. We are excited to work with Rigaud as we look to forge new partnerships, broaden our advocacy efforts, enhance our services and increase our support to families in the Mt. Eden community.  

In December, after 25 years of service to New Settlement and the Mount Eden community, Jack Doyle retired from New Settlement.  Jack’s kindness and warmth, his incomparable work ethic and his relentless commitment to making Mount Eden a happier, healthier and safer place for children and families remain with all of us—in our community center and program offices, in our affiliated residential communities, and on the streets and sidewalks of Mount Eden. A parting video tribute to Jack can be found here: Jack Doyle – 25 Years at New Settlement Apartments on Vimeo