CURRENT PROGRAMS

The Bridge to Excellence Partnership

With of the presence of over fifteen world class educational, cultural, religious and medical institutions in Morningside Heights in Upper Manhattan, the divide between the "haves" and "have-nots" within the local community is as pronounced as ever.   Nowhere is this more evident than in the local public schools, where over seventy percent of the students are not meeting basic education standards in reading and math. While there have been small piecemeal efforts over the years, there has never been an attempt to build a coordinated effort among multiple institutions to meet the needs of the school community in a sustained, measurable way.

In 2004, the Morningside Area Alliance made a decision to work in collaboration with the local public school community to strengthen the academic performance of its students at all levels.   The Ralph Bunche School has become first in the area where community-based resources in the arts, core subject areas and health are providing the "bridge" between member institutions and the school. The purpose of this partnership is to counter educational inequities and improve education by leveraging a diversity of resources, both among member institutions, as well as from the wider community. From this effort the Bridge to Excellence Partnership has grown.

In the interest of developing an equitable and sustainable partnership, Morningside Area Alliance has devoted significant efforts identify the resources that are most needed in the school. M ultiple meetings were held over the course of six months with administrators, teachers, parents and various institutional program leaders to discuss and plan programs that best me e t the expressed needs of the school community. Two partnership gatherings, one in June and again in September, have served as partnership building events from which significant collaborative planning for the new programs has emerged. Please click here for summary reports on each gathering. Over time, the relationships that have formed among the institutions and the school have developed into comprehensive, goal-oriented action plans, designed to integrate a diverse collection of resources into school curriculum.

As the partnership enters its initial year, multiple categories of solid programming have emerged over recent months and are in the initial implementation phase. The aim is for programs, such as conflict resolution, to become self-sustaining after a three-year cycle, being supported and operated by school staff, parents, and community residents. Please click here for a description of the current BTEP programs in place at the Ralph Bunche School.  

Knowing the partnership can be fruitful if given a central place to grow, the Ralph Bunche School has provided a large room at the school for The Bridge to Excellence Partnership. Parents, families, teachers, students and other partners can use this space to gather and share ideas, information and resources.

For questions and information about the Bridge to Excellence Partnership, please contact us at partnership@morningsidealliance.org.

Other programs

New "Upper Manhattan Community Profile"

A detailed profile of the Upper Manhattan Community has been developed. The profile is as extensive compilation of demographic information, NYC Department of Education school reports on selected neighborhood schools and community health reports. The profile gives an excellent snapshot of the overall characteristics of Upper Manhattan. The Profile is in a bound booklet and is available.


New Morningside Area Alliance Public Safety cars

Two new MAA Public Safety cars are on their way! In 1998 the Alliance replaced   the walking and stationary posts with new highly visible white   four wheel drive "Trackers" . The community has been very responsive and these mobile patrols have served the community well. Expect to see the new cars in the next month.


New Morningside Heights Brochures

Beautiful new Morningside Heights brochures are now available. These redesigned and updates brochures provide a colorful map of Morningside Heights, a brief history of the area and short profiles of all Heights institutions. The brochure is an excellent introduction to the Heights community and has been used by institutions for incoming students, interested parties as well as in information offices.    The brochures are available through the Alliance.

Other Current Programs 2003-2005

• Region 10 Public School Education Initiative
• MAA Member Resources Survey
  A comprehensive survey of resources within the member institutions
• Morningside Park
  Continuing its partnership and advocacy for the further improvements and revitalization, MAA works closely with Friends of Morningside Park
  

Past Programs 1950-2003

• Claremont Youth Center
  For over 40 years, MAA provided after school and summer programs of educational and recreational activities in the famous Stone Gym on Claremont.
• Job Connection
  MAA provided access to potential employment to residents of the surrounding community at member institutions through linkages with community based organization in the Upper Manhattan community. Foundation funding as well as funding from Department of Labor supported this effort for five years.
• Community Leaders Luncheons
  From 1996 to 2000, annaul luncheons were held for leaders from the Harlem and the Morningside Heights community to discuss shared concerns and develop stronger relationships. From these luncheons key initiatives were developed in education, economic develpment, Morningside Park and Child Care.
• Amsterdam Street Improvement Project
  Working with key institutions along Amsterdam Avenue, a Department of Transportation grant provided funding for the implemetation of elegant historic lighting from 110th Street to 125th Street.Implementation is expected in 2004-5.
• Morningside Park
  Beginning in 1996, the Alliance initiated a collaborative effort of institutions, churches, block associations and residents to revitalize Morningside Park. With foundation funds, a community visioning project using Project for Public Spaces produced a land use and community vision for the future for the park. A final twenty year plan was developed combining the visioning plan with a full landscape plan that will serve the future planning of the park. From this process, the Friends of Morningside Park was re-established and serves as the major force behind the contined revitalization of the park today.
• In the 1950's, MAA provide planning and advocacy for more affordable housing with the development of Morningside Gardens, a middle and low income housing complex in the northern end of Morningside Heights. The General Grant Housing complex was built at the same time to meet the need for affordable housing in the neighborhood.