FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY

June 28, 2017

Contact: Arianna Fishman (fishmana@hra.nyc.gov, o: 929-221-5249 c: 646-629-4723)

MEDIA ADVISORY: NYC HONORS MORE THAN 100 HOMELESS COLLEGE-BOUND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

NEW YORK—On Thursday, June 29, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Herminia Palacio, Special Advisor to the Mayor Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez, Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks, and Department of Education Chief Operating Officer Ursulina Ramirez will commemorate the achievements of more than 100 college-bound high school graduates currently residing in shelter. Together with their families, the graduates will join staff from the Department of Homeless Services and its partners at the New York Public Library’s Celeste Bartos Forum for an evening celebration, where they will be awarded a free laptop to help them with their college studies. In addition to their academic accomplishments, many have overcome tremendous personal obstacles, with graduates on their way to universities including Dartmouth, NYU, SVA, and SUNY.

DHS received a generous donation from the Oak Foundation to help create its first ever Future Leaders Scholarship Program for college-bound high school seniors who are experiencing homelessness and demonstrate educational success, as well as a commitment to their school attendance. Six students will be awarded one scholarship each at a value of $2,000.

Media interested in attending should RSVP with Arianna Fishman at fishmana@hra.nyc.gov.