NEW YORK - Jan. 18, 2020 - In New York City's public schools, there is only one guidance counselor for every 1,979 high school students. NYC schools have an average student-teacher ratio of 30:1 as compared to the national average around 16:1, according to Public School Review.
The deficit of counselors and teachers can leave some big gaps in support for underserved students at high risk of slipping through the cracks. To address this, a new nonprofit organization founded by a veteran youth counselor is launching new support services for teens needing extra help.
School Based Solution (SBS), founded by Araceli Guzman, will work with New York City's schools to offer expanded resources and mentoring designed to help them succeed into adulthood.
The organization will present the "1st Base Self-Esteem & Confidence Workshop" for teens on Fridays from January 17 through February 7. The workshop will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at Brooklyn Public Library's Coney Island Branch (1901 Mermaid Ave. 19th Street).
At the "1st Base Self-esteem & Confidence Workshop," students will be encouraged to re-engage in school while also improving their self-worth, communication skills, attitude, and overall school performance.
"As a guidance coach, my ultimate goal is to give students hope while empowering them to incorporate the essential skills they've learned through the workshop effectively," Guzman said. "This workshop will help students learn how to manage the demands and challenges of their everyday lives. Parents are encouraged to participate."
Students can access Brooklyn Public Library's Coney Island Branch by train D, F, and Q and by bus B74.
In the meantime, SBS is working on finalizing their nonprofit, 501(c)(3) status while seeking donors and corporate partners to support their mission.
"We are working to establish School Based Solution to provide disadvantaged, at-risk urban youths with critical extracurricular support, resources, mentoring, and career coaching," Guzman said. "We would love to identify local philanthropists and businesses who share our vision and want to help us advance our mission through strategic, mutually beneficial partnerships."
To raise awareness about their work, SBS recently held a free hotdog giveaway on Friday, January 10 at Sabrett Food Cart on Mermaid Avenue and 19th Street in Brooklyn, across from the Coney Island Public Library.
The event was sponsored by Sabrett owner Ricardo Guzman, who donated 700 hot dogs to students to help promote the new nonprofit initiative.
Learn more about School Based Solution at https://www.schoolbasedsolution.org/. Follow the organization on Facebook and Instagram at @SchoolBasedSolution.
Contact
Araceli Guzman, Counseling Coach
info@schoolbasedsolution.org
