Metropolis – Gets Involved

By Brittney Rosario and Mabel Cataldo

For the next three weeks, through August 22nd Metropolis Group will team up with United Way of New York City for a fantastic program geared towards elementary school kids ages 4 to 8. The program, Build a Backpack. Grow a Reader. ReadNYC Back to School Drive will provide backpacks filled with pencils, notebooks, and other essential school supplies to students in underserved communities.

United Way of New York City helps to mobilize our communities to break down barriers and build opportunities that improve the lives of low-income New Yorkers, for the benefit of all. They envision caring communities where all individuals and families have access to quality education and the opportunity to lead healthy and financially secure lives.

According to United Way of New York City, only one-third of our children read on grade-level by third grade.

We are extremely excited to lend a hand to help close this gap. We believe such programs enable the children of New York City to not only succeed, but also to reach their fullest potential.  We are proud to join forces and help hundreds of children remove barriers to a successful school year and future.

If you’d like to contribute to this great cause, or donate a backpack with supplies please contact Brittney Rosario or Mabel Cataldo.

For several weeks in July, and through August 13th, Metropolis has and will be participating alongside fellow members of AREW Charitable Fund (Association of Real Estate Women) to aid WIN (Women in Need), an organization dedicated to helping homeless New York City women and their children. WIN helps the homeless to transform their lives through a progressive and holistic approach that doesn’t simply provide a hand out, but a way out.

Each week, for a designated hour, members volunteer their time to be readers for the children of WIN in order to bridge the gap between their curriculum during the academic year and summer months. This program was developed based on the idea of maintaining and improving reading levels and overall potential for academic achievement.

Metropolis is extremely proud to join the movement in providing influential guidance and serving as active role models to underprivileged children of New York City. Each week, our team is able to put a smile on the faces of the children of WIN while fostering a lifelong love of reading. That’s something to make us all smile.