Columbia Community Service

Columbia Community Service Grants $300,000 to 52 Organizations in Harlem & Morningside Heights

By
Bashar Makhay
July 07, 2021
Collage of photos

Over the last year, as part of its 74th Annual Appeal, Columbia Community Service (CCS) worked with Columbia, Barnard, and Teachers College faculty, staff, and retirees to increase donations that support organizations in Harlem and Morningside Heights. This year, CCS is awarding $300,000 in grants to 52 local organizations that fight hunger, provide social services, and fill educational gaps for local youth in the areas of STEM, arts, and literacy:

  • $60,000 awarded to eight organizations, such as Broadway Community and Living Redemption Youth Opportunity Hub, that provide meals to people in need in Harlem and Morningside Heights. Food relief is an important area of need in our community. In just the past year, CCS funding allowed local organizations to provide 350,000 meals.
  • $154,000 awarded to 31 organizations, such as Common Denominator (AKA Top Honors) and The Reading Team, that provide educational support for K-12 students in the areas of STEM, arts, and literacy. Over the last year, thanks to CCS support, grantees provided extra educational enrichment to over 10,000 students experiencing a disrupted year of learning. 
  • $86,000 awarded to 13 organizations, such as Service Program for Older People (SPOP) and Graham Windham-Manhattanville Cornerstone, that provide vital health and social services to some of the most at-need in our community during a time when their services are more in demand than ever.

While many of the grant awardees have received support from CCS in the past, this year, five new organizations are being awarded CCS grants to support specific programs:

  • Corbin Hill Food Project: A partnership with the Harlem Wellness Center to leverage subsidies that help meet the needs of the food insecure in Harlem. CCS support will extend the number of weeks for food distribution.
  • National Dance Institute: Support for NDI’s In-School Program Partnership with P.S. 123 that will help children gain an understanding of the importance of practice, commitment, focus, and teamwork in achieving personal and collaborative success, through dance.
  • Opus Dance Theatre: Support for "I Too Am American", a project for Community School District 5 students who will gain a deeper understanding of civic engagement, voters’ rights, and the legislative process.
  • Living Redemption Youth Opportunity Hub: Support will provide food and PPE that will be distributed at their Pantry and Pop-Up Market.
  • Trinity Community Connection (Trinity Place): Supporting their programs for LGBTQ youth to safely transition out of the shelter system and grow into independent, positive, and productive adults.

Columbia Community Service (CCS) is one of the oldest and most visible manifestations of the commitment that Columbia, Barnard, and Teachers College have to our surrounding communities. The CCS Annual Appeal connects the university community with ways to support our neighbors, including volunteer opportunities and special events like the Annual Toy Drive. This fall, CCS will enter its 75th year and is committed to continuing to support food security, health, and education services in Harlem and Morningside Heights.

A full listing of grantees can be found on the CCS website, where you can also find the history of the soon to be 75-year-old institution at Columbia.