HCZ’s Impact
What started as a movement to transform Central Harlem has grown into a vision for breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty across the world.
Since our founding, our pioneering place-based model has grown to scale and serves more than 22,500 children and families annually within our 97-block Zone. More than 1,300 scholars have graduated from college and over 900 are currently enrolled in college (they receive continued support through college and career from our CHECS program).
Our impact at home has garnered global attention. Through our Practitioner’s Institute, we have hosted thought leaders and partnered with over 550 organizations from across the United States and over 200 groups from 70-plus countries who seek guidance on how to replicate our model. Through our William Julius Wilson Institute, we have worked with community organizations in over 20 cities to strengthen place-based, cradle-to-career strategies and support COVID-19 response and recovery.
Here’s a snapshot of HCZ’s impact:
900+
HCZ scholars in college
1,300+
HCZ scholars have graduated college since 2011
12,000
Participants in our Healthy Harlem program
7,000+
Graduates of The Baby College
550+
U.S. groups have visited the Practitioners Institute
200+
Countries have visited the Practitioners Institute
Cycle of Achievement
Each year, over 100 scholars graduate from college. They return home as community-engaged citizens and role models for the new children and families that enter the Baby College and move through our pathway of programs. And that’s the point. We innovate to impact at scale — creating a cycle of achievement that lifts up children and families in Harlem and across the nation.