At Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ), we have an audacious goal: end intergenerational poverty in Central Harlem and communities across the country. This work isn’t possible without the dedicated educators, professionals, and administrators on our team.
That’s why we don’t just invest in our communities — we invest in our staff.
When you join our team, you’ll have the benefits, resources, and opportunities you need to thrive, both in work and in life. You can access a range of wellness and financial benefits: competitive compensation, free in-network medical and dental care, retirement plans, student loan forgiveness, professional development, and much more.
When you invest in the lives of our scholars and families, we invest in yours.
Keep scrolling to discover the 5 key financial, wellness, and professional benefits you’ll access when you join our team!
1. Access health care at no or little cost to you
To care for our scholars, families, and communities, we must also take care of ourselves. That’s why all full-time HCZ staff get access to no-cost, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance from day one.
- Choose Aetna’s Value or Freedom Plan
- Get dental and orthodontia coverage with Aetna’s DMO and PPO options
- Enjoy vision coverage, LASIK discounts, and more through EyeMed
- Access additional voluntary health coverage for critical illness, accidents, and hospital stays
We also support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being with:
- Spring Health Mental Health Care
- 6 free therapy sessions (per year) for you and your eligible dependents (ages 6+)
- In-app wellness exercises for better sleep, stress relief, and mindfulness
- Personalized care plans based on assessments tailored to your needs
- Care Navigator support to guide your wellness journey
- Medication support from licensed psychiatrists
- Family with Spring Health: streamlined access for mental health support for your loved ones
- Journey Meditation: Access free mental health and wellbeing programs to help with stress management, performance, and productivity
- Headspace: Get a free subscription to 1,000+ hours of guided meditation, sleep tools, and mini wellness exercises
- MyAdvocate Care Coordination: Unlock personalized health assistance to navigate complicated health care questions and challenges
- Employee Assistance Program: Access confidential support for emotional, financial, and physical health, available to you and your family
- Crisis Text Line: 24/7 free text-based support for moments of crisis and emotional need
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Direct: Receive guided access to exceptional cancer treatment for all of our employees and their family members
- Aetna Gym reimbursement: Get cash back for qualified expenses with no proof of visit required, just receipts.
- BlinkFitness Memberships: Enroll in a corporate membership and receive discounts on monthly and annual gym fees, Modell’s, and Citi Bike
- Weight Watchers: Join and HCZ will pay 50% of the membership fee
2. Build your financial future
Whether you’re saving for your first home, planning for retirement, paying off student loans, or thinking about your child’s college fund, you’ll get help achieving your financial goals.
- Competitive base salaries for every role
- Pension Plan (Profit Sharing): Available to full-time and eligible part-time employees (after one year and 1,000 service hours)
- 403(b) retirement plan with mutual fund options and full vesting
- Life and disability insurance are included automatically, with options to increase coverage
- Signing and commitment bonuses
- Up to $30,000 in student loan forgiveness (for full-time Promise Academy staff)
- Additional compensation for HCZ Promise Academy staff who participate in after-school programming
- College Savings Program: Save for your children’s education with a tax-advantaged plan, investing for college without federal, and sometimes state, income taxes
Through Wealth Builds, we offer TrustPlus, which offers free, confidential financial coaching to:
- Budget Smarter
- Eliminate Debt
- Plan for Homeownership
- Prepare for Retirement
3. Grow your career with professional development opportunities
We work with our staff to hone their strengths, foster their ambitions, and succeed in their careers. And if you ever choose to transition from HCZ (though we hope you’ll stick around!) the experience you’ve gained here can take you anywhere — even outside of the social impact, education, and social services sectors. You can access:
- Paid professional development and leadership training
- HCZ Education Grants to support your academic and professional goals
You can also pursue career advancement opportunities within the organization. For proof, look no further than HCZ staff member Erica Terrell. She joined our organization in 1994 as a part-time childcare worker. Thirty years later, she is a senior leader at HCZ, helping communities around the world implement our cradle-to-career model as the Managing Director of our Practitioners Institute, thanks to mentorship and development support at HCZ.
“HCZ pours into our scholars — and it pours into us” — Erica Terrell, Managing Director of Practitioners Institute. Follow Erica’s Journey>
Plus, working at HCZ opens doors to greater professional opportunities. The experience you gain, the connections you make, and the prestige of being part of HCZ can transform your career.
Simply put: we look good on your resume.
4. Support for your life outside of work
When you’re supported in life, you show up stronger at work. That’s why HCZ offers benefits that help you care for yourself and your loved ones, enjoy your time off, and navigate everyday needs.
- Generous paid time off, including sick and personal days
- Paid prenatal leave (up to 20 hours every 52 weeks)
- Family leave options to care for those who matter most
- Commuter Benefits: Save on commuting costs with pre-tax deductions for public transportation through WageWorks
- Plum Benefits: Discounts on travel, retail, entertainment, and more
Legal Insurance: Access discounted legal services for personal matters - ID Theft Protection: Stay protected with identity theft monitoring and recovery services
- Travel Assistance: Get help with travel-related emergencies
5. You’ll be part of something bigger than yourself
When you’re supported in life, you show up stronger at work. That’s why HCZ offeAt HCZ, you’re not just taking a job — you’re joining a movement. You’ll work alongside passionate professionals, scholars, and families who are all committed to our mission: ending intergenerational poverty and creating pathways to mobility for millions of young people across the country.
We serve over 22,000 scholars and families each year in Harlem — and we’re scaling our model nationwide. We’re revolutionizing the fight against poverty, and every success is powered by our incredible team.
That’s why we invest in you. With benefits, growth opportunities, and a culture that nurtures your potential, HCZ supports your success as much as you support ours. Want to know more about building a career at HCZ? Discover 7 things you need to know about working at HCZ.
Ready to make an impact?