Welcome to the July edition of the FACE to FACE Newsletter from the Office of Family and Community Empowerment!
As summer unfolds, we are excited to continue sharing the incredible efforts and collaborations that are shaping stronger school communities across the city. In this issue, you will find new stories, upcoming opportunities, and helpful resources that highlight how families, educators, and community partners are coming together to make a difference.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We hope these updates inspire you, inform you, and remind you of the power of connection.
A Message from Deputy Executive Director Jesse Mojica
Dear Family-Facing Staff,
Summer is here, a time for fun, exploration, and new opportunities for families. At FACE, we are making sure families have access to enriching experiences all season long.
Our Summer Pop-Ups bring storytelling, arts and crafts, and free books directly into neighborhoods. These events are a wonderful way to spark a child’s love of reading and connect families to local resources. Stay tuned, we will share the full schedule with locations and times soon.
We are also proud to support the Family Connectors, part of the NYCPS Cares initiative—training trusted community members to help families access City services and school support. From academic resources to housing help, Family Connectors are a key bridge for families in need. See below for more info and the sign-up link.
In addition to these programs, please encourage families to:
Visit local libraries for summer reading programs.
Explore free cultural events, outdoor concerts, and museum days across the city.
Take advantage of parks and community centers offering free or low-cost summer programming.
Make learning fun at home with reading challenges, journaling, and more.
Thank you for everything you do to uplift families. Your partnership makes all the difference.
Wishing you a joyful and safe summer,
Jesse Mojica
Deputy Executive Director
Office of Family and Community Empowerment (FACE)
Office of Family and Community Empowerment
Through meaningful family-school partnerships, The Office of Family and Community Empowerment supports families in creating spaces where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, shaping a brighter future together.
Community and Citywide Education Councils
We were thrilled to welcome all newly elected members of the Community and Citywide Education Councils (CCECs) as they started their journey of important work ahead in service of New York City’s students and families.
As part of the onboarding process, new members were invited to attend the CCEC Member 3-Day Orientation. This orientation provided critical information to support them in their new roles, including participation in a swearing-in ceremony with NYCPS Deputy Chancellor Cristina Melendez and an overview of council member roles and responsibilities.
The orientation also offered a valuable opportunity for members to begin building relationships with one another as they stepped into their leadership roles.
This year’s orientation featured one in-person session, and two virtual sessions designed to deepen members’ understanding of effective governance. The members participated in a series of impactful sessions designed to enhance their leadership and collaboration skills. They attended an in-person orientation at the High School for Fashion Industries, which included essential training, the swearing-in ceremony, and an introduction to key council responsibilities. This was followed by two virtual sessions: one focused on becoming an effective thought partner, and the other on running productive meetings. These sessions offered valuable insights into effective communication, leadership strategies, and overall council effectiveness.
Under state law, council members are required to participate in a professional development session within the first three months of taking office and again in the second year of their term.
We extend our sincere thanks to all who attended and contributed to a strong start for our newly elected CCEC members - congratulations!
FACE Programs and Initiatives
Family Connectors
Family Connectors is a volunteer opportunity that empowers trusted community members including parents, caregivers, and educational advocates, to help families access vital City resources and navigate school supports. Participants attend live virtual trainings led by experts from city agencies, cultural institutions, and community-based organizations.
As a Family Connector, participants will:
Gain tools to link families with free services, supports, and opportunities
Learn how to advocate for students and uplift local school communities
Join a growing network of leaders working to advance equity and engagement
Receive a certificate upon completing all program requirements
Multilingual support and flexible participation options are available*
Past presenters have included:
Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
Office of Safety and Youth Development
Fire Department of New York
Brooklyn, New York, Queens Public Libraries
New York Hall of Science
Are you or someone you know ready to make a difference? Register now to become a Family Connector:
Register at: https://tinyurl.com/FamConnectors2025
Braintrust
FACE and Braintrust Second Round Partnership Workshops: For the month of June, FACE, in partnership with Braintrust tutors, launched a second round of engaging new literacy workshops designed around literacy topics families have expressed high interest in.
Topics include:
Supporting Reluctant Readers
Making the Most of Read-Alouds and Storytelling
Supporting Bilingual Literacy
Understanding Learning Differences in Literacy
Literacy Beyond Books
Reading Across Genres
Preventing the Summer Slide
These topics encompassed not only the full scope of literacy, but the diverse needs and circumstances of all NYCPS families. With these tailored deep dives into high-demand areas of literacy, parents have become better-equipped to assist their child’s journey through early literacy. As with our first round of partnership, these sessions were not exclusive to English, with interpretation and translated materials made available in Spanish, Mandarin, Bangla, French, and Russian.
Here are some direct quotes from participants:
“You've given me tools! Thank you so much. I've had so many conversations this year with the school where all I was hearing were complaints, and I was feeling hopeless. I hope you continue to do webinars/workshops with Mara and Braintrust again next school year. These have been so incredibly helpful.”
“I know English is easier for my kids now, but I learnt a lot of methods to teach my children their native language.”
“Less scary teaching my child how to read and developing relationship with reading because I feel more confident with specific tools.”
“I was excited to hear a lot about many things we already went through without guidance and very happy for other parents to have everything explained so they can effectively advocate and help their children with disabilities.”
Lil’ Readers
Lil’ Readers is a dynamic bilingual reading program that offers an engaging educational experience for children aged 6–12. Designed to foster both a love for reading and cultural understanding, the program features live readings by local and visiting authors, enriching the experience for young readers. Parent-focused literacy workshops empower families with tools to support their children's literacy development at home. Over 14 dynamic sessions, Lil’ Readers welcomed nearly 300 participants and helped build a stronger, more connected literacy community.
As we closed out the series, we celebrated the joy and growth sparked by every shared story and workshop. From the energy of each reading to the insights exchanged among families, Lil’ Readers became more than a program—it became a movement of curiosity, culture, and connection. Our final session brought the story Paletero Man to life, complete with a special surprise Frio Frio cart that delighted participants of all ages! Be sure to check out the photos below for a peek at the magic that made Lil’ Readers so special.
We are proud of all we accomplished this season, and excited to return this fall with even more stories, learning, and community fun!
Lakeshore
FACE and Lakeshore partnered to offer NYCPS families an interactive series of hands-on sessions designed to support the healthy development of infants and toddlers. Throughout the program, participants explored fun and practical strategies to enhance early language, communication, and social-emotional skills. Topics included using sign language, narrating daily routines, building strong relationships, and recognizing and responding to children’s cues.
Each session was grounded in engaging activities to help families, caregivers, and educators nurture children's growth during everyday moments. In addition to virtual sessions, we hosted two in-person workshops where early childhood educators had the opportunity to explore and implement Lakeshore resources directly into their classroom practices.
Here is what some families had to say:
“Wonderful group conversation. The moderators did a great job, including everyone. Beneficial topic.” - Jennifer Valenti-Smith
“Presentation was great and the presenters very knowledgeable.” - Gendaris Tavera
“Great Presentation. It was interactive and informative. Enjoyed the presenters feedback and support.” - Rocio Nunez
Thank you for connecting with us! We cannot wait to share more stories and exciting opportunities to keep supporting our amazing communities. See you in the next issue!
FACE is a key component of the Division of Family, Community, and Student Empowerment. Learn more about the division and its affiliated offices by exploring their newsletters below.
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Office: 212-374-4118 Fax: 212-374-0733
Email: FACE@schools.nyc.gov