Children of the City originated in New York City as volunteer-based grassroots efforts launched to address socioeconomic challenges in NYC. It was started in 1982 by a low-income, 25-year old Brooklyn resident of immigrant descent named Joyce A. Mattera.

In the early 1980s, NYC crime rates were roughly double that of the United States, and nearly triple that of modern-day NYC. Struck by the unsafe living conditions and poverty in her neighborhood, Joyce began devoting her life's work to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable community members.

Joyce organized friends and neighbors to provide volunteer-based community outreach services, which included mentoring at-risk youth, protecting domestic abuse victims, and intervening gang violence and recruitments.

The results were overwhelmingly positive. Thriving ecosystems and community aid networks developed, neighborhood safety and household living conditions improved, and generational poverty cycles converted into wealth building.

With strategic support from national organizations, subject-matter experts, and local community leaders, Children of the City institutionalized programs to improve the long-term wellbeing of disadvantaged households in NYC, while plugging immediate resource gaps along the way.

Our programs continue to evolve as the community needs shift over time.

Currently we run four core programs focused on improving access to real resources, education and development, health and financial wellness for low-income households.

Learn more about our Create Success, College Bound, Future Safe, and SMASH programs.

Get involved by Volunteering, Donating, or Subscribing.