Our Impact
What started as a movement to transform a single block has evolved into a model for breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty across Central Harlem and the country.
Since the founding of Harlem Children’s Zone, we have scaled our pioneering place-based model to serve tens of thousands of scholars and families annually within our 100-plus block “Zone”; closed the achivement gap in our schools; and helped more than 1,300 scholars graduate from college, earn their degrees, and build bright futures.
Our impact is global. Through our Practitioners Institute, we have partnered with over 550 organizations from across the United States and over 200 groups from 80-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 launch a National COVID-19 Response and Recovery Effort.
900+
HCZ scholars in college
1,550
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 HCZ scholars graduate from college. They return home as conscientious citizens and role models for the next generation of scholars. 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.