Each Beacon is designed to serve a range of at least 1,700 young people and 500 adults each year.

• Education
  • Homework assistance, academic remediation, and college prep.
  • SMART uses trained staff and literacy software programs to offer students individualized comprehensive support during in school and after school hours reinforcing the school day learning. While we recognize that computers will never replace good teaching & a well-rounded curriculum, Harlem Children's Zone uses the most effective technology available to support children in mastering the complexities of reading fundamentals.
  
  
• Outreach

  Both Beacons rely on their strong reputation within the communities that they serve as their best marketing tool. Using this tool, staff then outreach to several sources: 1) Students who attend the Beacon school and neighboring public and private schools; 2) Young people and their families who participate in HCZ Prevention Programs and those of our partner agencies and linkages; 3) Community organizations and government agencies serving youth in the Manhattan Valley, Upper West Side and Central Harlem communities; and 4) Walk-ins from the community surrounding the Beacon. BTW staff escort young people from a number of nearby elementary schools to the Beacon.

• Access

  HCZ believes that to be an effective alternative, we must be able to offer children and families programs that meet their time and service needs. Therefore, Countee Cullen is open six days a week 9 A.M. until 9 P.M. and services are available from staff at BTW from 9 A.M. to 9 A. M. six days a week.

• Youth Development

  The Beacons offer youth an array of services including the following:

  • Recreational sports, music and dance programs, martial arts and social activities;
  • Summer Day Camp- A literacy-based learning experience which provides youth with programming during the week in the summer;
  • Mental health counseling, teen pregnancy prevention and cultural enrichment; and
  • Referrals to a network of community providers with whom HCZ has had relationships for the past twenty-five years.
  
  
• Adult Programming

  HCZ's Beacons serve primarily the parents of youth who attend the program but also serve single adults and parents in the community who walk-in for services. HCZ has developed a model of service delivery, which allows parents to "shop" for the needs of their families under one roof. Typically, parents bring their children to recreational or educational activities while they attend a Parents Association meeting.

  Beacons provides services to adults at three levels:

  • Informal Social Gatherings and Workshops such as family dinners, films nights, block parties, African or Salsa Dance, aerobics and sports.
  • Formal Programmatic Components such as Parent Computer Training, the Parent Support Program and the Family Video Nights.
  • Social Services Supports which include on-site social services and referrals to other HCZ Programs and outside providers.
  
  
• Substance Abuse Preventive Services

  HCZ's Beacons are ideal locations for identifying children and families in need of intensive substance abuse preventive services. Both Beacons were intentionally located on blocks with heavy drug trafficking and are dedicated to providing positive alternatives to substance abuse. Countee Cullen is the site of the largest Narcotics Anonymous meeting in Harlem. Three times a week, in total, more than 300 people attend NA meetings at the site. At BTW the Harlem Children's Zone has developed a model with Phoenix House to screen children and adults who use the Center for evidence of a substance abuse problem or the likelihood of one in the future. If a problem is found, a full assessment of the family is undertaken by a HCZ social worker. Families in need of intensive preventive services are referred to Project CLASS. Phoenix House has agreed to give priority to HCZ clients at their treatment facilities. HCZ has extended this risk assessment model to its Countee Cullen Beacon in collaboration with Family Development Program.