30th
CYD thanks everyone who joined us on October 29 for our 30th Anniversary Celebration!
More than 150 guests were treated to an evening of community, inspiration and joy. We were honored to present CYD’s Beacon of Opportunity Award to Goldman Sachs Gives and Robert V. Delaney, Sr. and Family.
30th
ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION
CYD thanks everyone who joined us on October 29 for our 30th Anniversary Celebration!
More than 150 guests were treated to an evening of community, inspiration and joy. We were honored to present CYD’s Beacon of Opportunity Award to Goldman Sachs Gives and Robert V. Delaney, Sr. and Family.
Ammar Algaithy
Omari Romain
CYD Alumni Ammar Algaithy and Omari Romain shared how CYD’s programs changed their lives. Ammar, a former Delaney Scholar who fled Yemen as a teenager, said, “CYD was—and still is—the bridge between where I was and who I am becoming.” Omari reflected, “A seed was planted that day. It challenged me to aim higher and reminded me of the importance of lifting others as I climbed.”
Ammar Algaithy
CYD Alumni Ammar Algaithy and Omari Romain shared how CYD’s programs changed their lives. Ammar, a former Delaney Scholar who fled Yemen as a teenager, said, “CYD was—and still is—the bridge between where I was and who I am becoming.” Omari reflected, “A seed was planted that day. It challenged me to aim higher and reminded me of the importance of lifting others as I climbed.”
Read Ammar and Omari’s full remarks >>
Omari Romain
Guests also enjoyed a powerful performance by Broadway veteran Stephanie Pope and a joyful finale by the Forefront Church Choir, capturing the spirit of resilience that defines CYD’s work.
Please help us shape the next 30 years. Your support ensures more students can build that bridge—from hope to opportunity, from potential to success.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
We are thrilled to honor two tremendous partners and long-time friends of CYD
We are thrilled to honor two tremendous partners and long-time friends of CYD
ABOUT GOLDMAN SACHS GIVES
CYD’s relationship with Goldman Sachs dates to our founding in 1995, when David Bolotsky, then a Managing Director, worked with other volunteers at Manhattan Comprehensive Night & Day School to help develop programming for college preparation and academic support. Since then, Goldman Sachs has been a true partner in every way. Goldman Sachs Partner Dean Backer is Co-Chair of the Board Development Committee, and Managing Director Ramey Watkins serves as Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair. Former GS Partner Michael Koester and Bolotsky now serve on the Board of Advisors, following their board tenure. Goldman Sachs has hosted CYD’s influential Youth Perspectives events, biannual convenings that give high school students the chance to speak to funders, educators, and government representatives about issues that impact their lives. Goldman Sachs Gives and many employees have supported CYD, participating in volunteer events that offer career development and inspiration for our young people.
ABOUT ROBERT V. DELANEY, SR. AND FAMILY
In the 1980s, Bob Delaney, a retired Brooklyn Union Gas executive, started volunteering at Manhattan Comprehensive Night & Day School. His belief in the importance of higher education led to the formation of the school’s first college advisement office. After CYD officially incorporated in 1992, Bob joined the Board of Directors. He remained involved with CYD until his death in 2021. Bob’s commitment to CYD extends to the rest of his family. In 2008, he and his wife, Marie, established the Robert and Marie Delaney Scholarship Fund to support promising graduates of Manhattan Comprehensive. In 2004, their daughter-in-law, Pam Craig, joined the Board, eventually serving as Chair for 9 years. She remains active on the Board of Advisors. In addition to their contributions to the scholarship fund, Bob, Jr. and Pam have also provided grants for direct support of CYD’s college advising and extracurricular programs. Now, the younger generations of the family are following in Bob and Marie’s footsteps, as both volunteers and donors, helping CYD to ensure successful futures for young people and their families.
OUR MISSION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
CYD partners with NYC public high schools to prepare young adults, ages 14-24, to secure a successful future for themselves and their families. Through this partnership, our students develop the capability to graduate from high school and make informed decisions on higher education and careers.
WE ARE A VITAL RESOURCE TO OUR COMMUNITY
We serve 2,500 students each year:
- 85% are eligible for free lunch
- Most will be the first in their families to pursue college
- All come from the highest need communities in New York City
- 60% speak one of 50 languages other than English at home
- Many students are unhoused
- Many students have special education needs
98% of CYD’s graduating seniors have an actionable postsecondary plan for college, vocational training, or employment.
With your support, CYD will be able to:
Continue to fulfill our mission of providing free college and career counseling to 2,500 students annually, so that they are prepared for life after high school.
Ignite confidence and resilience in young people, with services emphasizing mental health, peer-to-peer counseling, and life skills development.
Grow our expanded options programming and career-connected learning so our students are prepared for all education and employment pathways.
Provide post-secondary training to more young adults at the CYD Career Academy, so they are ready to enter the workforce and obtain well-paying jobs in the healthcare field.
Accelerate achievement for the newest New Yorkers by providing academic tutoring, English language support, and legal information services.
“CYD’s Summer College Prep program helped me narrow down my college search and gave me a head start on my essay, my applications, and figuring out campus life. Without it I would have been lost.”
– Jennifer
“CYD’s Bridge training was so important to me. It helped with communications and gave us practice in how to write professional emails, follow telephone etiquette, dress professionally, prepare for interviews, present yourself.”
– Michelle
“My CYD counselor set up college tours and took me to college fairs, like one for HBCUs. She helped me narrow down my list to the top 5.”
– Jaylen
“I felt like I could talk freely to my advisor about what was happening in my life, all of my concerns. From the beginning, my desire was to apply to college. Ms. Hattie told me about competitive programs and internships that I could apply for. She told me I was capable.”
– Jesus
