Children of Promise NYC

Singlehandedly the worst nonprofit in New York City. EVERYONE in upper management, from the HR team, to the CEO, to the VP of Programs, are absolutely unprofessional and disrespeftful to staff. This place is toxic and a revolving door for disappointed and mistreated former employees. Beware. This place is an absolutely terrible pladce to work. Do not trust a word anyone in upper management claims. And if you do end up working there, be prepared to safrifice your dignity. It's just that abusive of a work environment.

Bed-Stuy deserves better. Our kids deserve better. I'm tired of these organizations pretending to do good but only taking free money. Who's running this place? It is unprofessional and unorganized. My girlfriends daughter worked here and was fired for no reason. About five counselors were fired the same day by a manager who was laughing and couldn't get his story straight. It had nothing to do with c19. The kids were attached to these counselors and its just not right to treat your staff like that and then smile in a parents face like everything's alright and you're doing the right thing when you're not. I will never trust a company let alone a school who mistreats its employees. It reveals the true color of leadership. How are they treating our kids when we are not watching? DO NOT SUPPORT!

Great organization, positive and friendly environment!

NEW LOCATION . Recently removed my child from this program. My child is in the 6 and 7 group and was being verbally attacked by the older kids in other groups. My daughters homework was never completed. I believe it was due to how under staffed they are. There's no security down stairs so any and everyone can enter this program. I Don't think it's safe.
On one occasion I seen another parent hitting on somebody's else's child. It's really "Ghetto" and the staff administration is as disgusting. I spoke with a lady named Monique took her about 15 minutes to respond to me. When turning around she responded with such attitude and gum spilling out of her mouth. I proceeded to express my frustration about my child's homework not being completed. She was not interested and pretty much brushed me off and continued yelling at her staff. I Don't recommend anybody to send their children to this dump.The program sounds good on paper but when you enter you see the program and staff who and what it really is.

I have been volunteering at Children of Promise every week since 2013. Growing up in a two-parent household, my time at CPNYC gave me the chance to empathize with so many different children's points of view. My time at Children of Promise has helped me to see that each child has a unique perspective on life. This experience has allowed me to be more humble and grateful for the things that I have in my own life. My volunteering at CPNYC has also taught me resilience. If I have gotten so much value out of my experience, I can only imagine how important CPNYC has been for the children themselves.

The Brouet Family is blessed for the endless support we have found at Children of Promise. When my daughter was sent to prison, it became my responsibility to care for my four grandchildren. Children of Promise has helped me raise my grandchildren while I work full-time. Because of CPNYC, my children have someone to pick them up from school each day, an after-school program that they love, and mental health services to help them manage their anger and cope with their mother's incarceration. Trust me, taking care of my whole family's needs can be challenging, but the staff at CPNYC has always had our backs. I am proud to be a member of Children of Promise, NYC's parent advisory board, where I can help advocate for my community and give back to this agency that has been essential to my family's well-being.

I live in California and wish we had a program like this one here. I would volunteer in a second.

There is no other organization like this one. I'm impressed by the breadth of services provided, including the co-location of mental health services with an after-school program, summer camp, and one-to-one mentoring opportunities.

I have seen and volunteered for many non-profits intended to help children but when I worked with Children of Promise, it was the first time I saw an organization that did not just scratch the surface. Children feel safe and comfortable at CPNYC, they receive attention they need but would not otherwise get anywhere else, and most importantly, the people on staff, especially Ms. Content, Ms. Newton and Ms. Morgan-Mullane, have worked so hard to develop very strong relationships not only with the children but also with their families. It's a tough program to run and the good days come with the bad, but CPNYC and its leadership have done a world of good for sticking around through all of it. I applaud them for their work and wish them all the best in the future.

My family is blessed for the support we have found at CPNYC. Miss Content is someone who has put our children ahead of her own. She is someone who cares about our children's future. She is someone we can call on, anytime of the day or night. Because of Children of Promise, NYC, my child has a mentor, an after-school program that helps him with his homework, mental health services from licensed clinicians, and a safe environment with fun trips for summer through the summer camp.

I am writing as a father of 3 children who love Children of Promise, NYC and have called it their second home for the past 3 years. I've seen Ms. Content and the CPNYC staff work tirelessly to ensure every child has a smile on their face, a gift for Christmas, school supplies and backpacks in September, a turkey for Thanksgiving, costumes for Halloween, and endless support. Your community loves you!

No one who gives their life for others do so without ridicule. I find it completely sickening that people would take the time to speak matter of factly about Ms. Content and her sister's "poor leadership." These individuals sound disgruntled and sour. Maybe they were let go and didn't like it. Maybe these individuals didn't like her character, maybe they saw a flaw (which we all have) and over reacted. Maybe their thoughts will be heard and Sharon and her executive team will be swapped out with a "better team." OR maybe you would randomly visit children of promise and see for yourself. Maybe you will volunteer... No one does anything great without kick back... Without mistakes... Without passion. You don't build an organization for children because you want to steal...you do it because of the mission. An entire board leaving isn't a message that the CEO is bad... The article stated they tried to replace Ms. Content with someone who was not from the community...we did not want a hostile take over. If the board felt that the leadership was dentramental to the kids...then it was their charge change it. Ms. Content, on behalf of the parents, kids and leadership in the community who you serve... Thank you! We support you!

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20141125/bed-stuy/board-quits-brooklyn-nonprofit-after-parents-protest-founders-firing

A board doesn't just resign for no good reason. People should really think about what is happening here. Bed-Stuy needs real leadership and support - look what happened to Assemblyman William Boyland Jr. He was convicted of extortion and soliciting bribes by a federal jury and immediately tossed in jail.
This was proven! People of color need to research more, be realistic and see what's going on in front of them, to them, and educate themselves before jumping on the bandwagon of support.

The agency is needed in the community but under leadership that cares and supports the community. WAKE UP PEOPLE! Darkness is coming to light and it's up to you to put on your glasses and see it!!!!!!

The executive staff is very unorganized, they charge parents a weekly - monthly fees for having their child enrolled in the program. There is a grotesque amount of nepotism whiting the company. The staff is over worked and underpaid. The only time that the President comes out of her office is when there are site visits from funders. Most of the kids do not even know who she is. She has no shame in telling staff that if they do not do their job there are people that are willing to take over their position. The kids are amazing and they grow on you so much. They honestly deserve to have a President that will interact with them more than what this President does.

Sharon Content ( President ) and her sister Monique Newton ( Vice President ) is a fraud and should be stopped. The children in this program deserve the support and accommodations that funders are providing however, Children of Promise, NYC is ran by two of the most arrogant, fast talking, and fraudulent people that exist. Christmas presents given by organizations are taken and given to their personal family members, they promise and promote van transportation to support families that have a loved one incarcerated and yet they never provide any support other than requesting medicaid cards to fund the frivolous mental health clinic that is not properly staffed and has a lack of trained professionals.

I became interested in joining the Junior Board of The Children of Promise because of the amazing impression that Sharon Content, and my first visit to CPNYC's site made on me. The passion and excitement that Ms. Content expresses when she speaks about the non-profit's mission is flat out contagious, and the happiness that fills the building when the children are present would make anyone want to help out her cause. CPNYC's after school program, along with its mentoring and therapeutic services, allows the children a safe and supportive environment where they can grow up to reach their greatest potential. Every single person I have ever met that is associated with the non-profit is very openly emotionally invested in CPNYC, and impressed with the effect that the organization has had on the lives of so many children in NYC.

I volunteered with CPNYC over my winter break from grad school. I was immediately put to work helping with a number of pending grant proposals. At the end, I felt like my time was appreciated, my assistance was useful, and I enjoyed working in an environment where everyone was so dedicated to their work. It was especially wonderful to see the great interactions between the staff and the children!

I must review this nonprofit as one that is a poorly run. I ended my tenure as a volunteer because more often than not I arrived with no assignment or was abruptly switched throughout the afternoons to areas I was not fit for. Frequently, I requested assignments involving sitting with the young people to do homework help. I am a retired senior and on many occasions was assigned to projects outdoors or in the gym even though I notified the organization of my physical limitations due to arthritis. I volunteered weekly for over 8 months before I had end my term.

Children of Promise, NYC is a wonderful organization with a compelling mission. I had the opportunity to work with Sharon Content, the organizations founder and President a few years ago while working at another NGO and subsequently was brought in to assist with restructuring the Project Dream Mentoring program. My personal experience with CPNYC was very rewarding. Sharon is an intelligent, forward-thinking and inspiring leader. Ms. Content is committed to growing the organization and willing to accept constructive feedback where necessary. I've offered numerous suggestions on ways in which Sharon could strengthen CPNYC and my feedback was always given consideration.



CPNYC has achieved a tremendous amount of success in a relatively short amount of time. Lest we forget the organization is still a start-up (3 years old) and for those reasons I feel CPNYC has definitely exceeded expectations. CPNYC is experiencing a growth spurt and unfortunately like so many start-ups, it lacks the structural or organizational capacity to effectively manage all of its new and wonderful programming. Sharon should be commended for her efforts not ridiculed by anonymous reviewers. More funding is needed for this organization so that Sharon can not only improve the organizations capacity but so that more children can realize their true potential.

Children of Promise, NYC (CPNYC) has been a member of the Fund for the City of New York (Fund) Incubator/Partner Project Program since the organization's inception in 2007. As a result, the Fund provides all fiscal management services which includes producing revenue and expense reports, conducting payroll and facilitating audits. CPNYC has never retained a financial consultant or had a need for the services as alleged in the prior review. All audits are facilitated in the Fund's Manhattan office (where are financial records are retained) and conducted by the Fund's fiscal staff. Ms. Content would never have the opportunity to "frame a story" for auditors. In addition, systems are in place that ensure full transparency, checks and balances and valid program expenses. Management of the Fund and CPNYC are aware of the actions of the disgruntled employee responsible for the two reviews posted on this site and have responded immediately to her attempts to defame the organization. We are disappointed that Guidestar is being used as a platform for her unprofessional and vindictive actions. Ms. Content has maintained a professional and reputable relationship with the Fund and countless agencies in Brooklyn and throughout New York City. She has recently been awarded an Honorary Citation by the Borough President Marty Markowitz and Brooklyn "Do Gooders Award" by the Brooklyn Community Foundation for her commitment and passion to the children of imprisoned parents and their families.

I have not had a good experience with Children of Promise, NYC at all. The organization's leadership (Sharon Content) has consistently been unorganized, sloppy, rude, uncaring and unethical in her business dealings. Children on many occasions have been hurt during program hours only to have the incidents swept under the rug by administration. A young child's finger tip was cut off recently due to the completely chaotic environment and leadership did nothing to improve the state of the organization. I did not feel my children were safe and have since pulled my children out of the program. I wondered about the program's safety and management in the past but couldn't afford to send my children to something better. I don't care anymore now though, I would rather them be in no program at all than have them at Children of Promise. All families were also promised visits to see incarcerated parents in jail and this has never happened once in over a year! This is the reason most families join. I do not believe that this organization is run by a strong board as the Executive Director of this organization would have been replaced long ago. It is unfortunate because the concept to help children with incarcerated parents is an excellent one, it's just too bad that the ED is an unfit manager to successfully execute this program. If you are looking for an after school program for your child try Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the YMCA or the Boys and Girls Club. The Boys and Girl's Club has been a blessing for my family.