Reformed Church of Bronxville Members Make Life-Changing Impact on Yonkers Students
By Susan Schwartz, Communications Director, Yonkers Partners in Education
Apr. 14, 2021: As the pandemic has elevated the needs of many residents in Westchester, members of the Reformed Church of Bronxville (RCB) have answered the call to support young people right down the road. Through a partnership with Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE), members of the Church have become mentors, coaches, and champions for high school students in Yonkers.
Developing partnerships with local community organizations is very important to the Church. "We want to work with our neighbors and develop connections that will build over years," said Mary Mackintosh, RCB Director of Missional Engagement. "Education is such an important part of the lives of our congregants, so connecting with YPIE was a natural fit."
The Reformed Church of Bronxville (RCB) describes itself as a family of faith, a home for all, at the heart of the community. In recent years, RCB has grown from a village-centered church serving members from Bronxville and Yonkers -- to a thriving house of worship that draws visitors from throughout the county and virtual worshippers around the world.
Mary was introduced to YPIE several years earlier when she heard YPIE Board Chairman David Westin present the impact YPIE was having to ensure Yonkers high school students were on the path to college success.
Mary met with YPIE Executive Director Sam Wallis at the YPIE College Zone days before the pandemic began. When Mary was named Director of Mission Engagement in September 2020, she shares that one of the first things she wanted to do in this new role was to partner with YPIE.
"In my previous life, I was a social worker and lawyer, and also worked with the Yonkers Schools. I saw the pluses and minuses of the educational enhancements students receive in communities like Bronxville -- and the glaring difference in what students get in less-resourced areas like Yonkers."
She sent an email to the church community introducing them to YPIE and invited those interested in mentoring high school students to attend an online Information Session. "The congregants who attended were so impressed with the session and felt that this program was really well run. The structure and support were really important."
In October 2020, 10 volunteers from RCB signed up to become YPIE Graduation Coaches, volunteers who become invaluable mentors to Yonkers students throughout high school on their path to college. Several of the volunteers asked to be matched with a second student for YPIE's incoming 9th-grade class.
"Our volunteers are a cross-section of people -- from younger to older, for whom the connection to a student is so meaningful -- a man who loves kids but doesn't have children of his own, a single woman who wanted to connect with a student, a very busy financial executive with four children of his own who wanted to offer the sorts of opportunities that his children have had and share his knowledge with a student who might not have the same opportunities."
Mary has received very positive feedback so far. "It's so amazing, particularly to those who have teenagers of their own, how open these students can be. YPIE has built this trust. And, the volunteers are overwhelmed by the amount of support they receive from YPIE."
Mary is also a YPIE Graduation Coach. "My YPIE Scholar opens up more and more each time I talk to her. That's the real benefit of starting in 9th grade. By the time you get to the college process, you have a real relationship and something to build on."
Mary also sees how these relationships are very meaningful for the mentors. "I'm all about what we learn from people who are different from us. It helps us to see that every student has potential. Unless we nurture that and offer new opportunities, these students will not be able to reach their potential."
YPIE is deeply grateful to partner with RCB and for all the volunteers that are making a life-changing impact on Yonkers student,
For more information, YPIE.org/volunteer.
Photo by N. Bower
Editor's note: As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes articles from local institutions, officeholders, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff.
Community Service Organizations Directory
HOME & GARDEN
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not-for-profit organization administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The mission of the BBC is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of the village of Bronxville, with an emphasis on the downtown business district.
Click here to learn more
Boulder Ledge Garden Club
Founded in 1966, the Boulder Ledge Garden Club is rooted in a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation and love for gardening and flower arranging. The club is dedicated to fostering and promoting interest and knowledge in gardening.
The Club maintains Bronxville’s Bicentennial Park and other civic gardens. In 2019–2020 the club raised $18,000 to replace trees in the village, reflecting its active role in community beautification. It also holds garden therapy projects and educational garden trips for members.
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Bronxville Giving Garden
The Bronxville Giving Garden is a community-centered garden that donates organic produce to Eastchester Community Action Partnership in Tuckahoe and Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon. The garden is also a gathering place where school children and volunteers can discover the joy of tending plants and growing food.
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Bronxville Green Committee
The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. It proposes and implements environmentally sustainable programs in our community.
You can contact them HERE.
SCOUTING
Bronxville Boy Scouts
The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”
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Bronxville Girls Scouts
The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”
Here is more information about girl scouts.
HISTORY
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
Inspired by the highly successful Bronxville Centennial Celebration in 1998, the Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded to record and preserve Bronxville's history and life in the village today.
BRONXVILLE SCHOOL
Bronxville School Foundation
The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school.
The mission of the Bronxville School Foundation is to enhance the quality of public education in our community by engaging the support and energies of educators, citizens, parents, students and alumni.
The Foundation awards grants for projects
CLICK HERE to learn more.
LECTURES, EXHIBITS, CONCERTS
Bronxville Women's Club
The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.
135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252
Concordia Conservatory
Concordia Conservatory, a preeminent center for music education in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music.
The Conservatory’s mission is to inspire, instruct, and enrich lives through music offering excellence in education and performance.
CLICK HERE for more information.
COUNSELING
Counseling Center
Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists.
The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org
SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM
Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe
The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.”
15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org
Junior League of Bronxville
The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”
Rotary Club of Bronxville
The Rotary Club of Bronxville is part of a national network of 1.25 million problem-solvers. They see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
READING & LEARNING
Friends of the Bronxville Library
The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library's regular budget and perform other services.
SENIORS
Gramatan Village
Gramatan Village is a unique community model offering programs, services and social connections that help members continue to live independently in their homes as they age. In addition, GV offers one-on-one consultations and counseling with our experienced staff to guide members through life’s transitions.
Senior Citizens of Bronxville
Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”
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