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About AFC

Our Mission

Advocates for Children of New York (AFC)’s mission is to ensure a high-quality education for New York students who face barriers to academic success, focusing on students from low-income backgrounds.

Our Vision:

All New York City students receive the education they need to maximize their potential as adults

Our Values

Family-Centered

We listen to what families want for their children and empower them with information and support.

Expertise

We ground our advocacy in more than 50 years of experience with the NYC public schools and deep knowledge of the legal and education systems affecting the students and families we serve.

Passion

We are united by our unrelenting drive to dismantle obstacles to education and our unwavering dedication to NYC’s students and families.

Community

We foster collaboration and inclusive practices within our team and with outside partners so we can learn from different perspectives and unite in advancing our common goals.

Justice

We view the law as a powerful tool to bridge gaps in access to education and help families from under-represented communities fight for their rights.

Impact

We recognize that our value lies in the difference we make in the lives of students and their families and push ourselves to achieve concrete results.

Our Model

AFC simultaneously works side by side with students and their families, providing the one-on-one guidance and advocacy they need, while pressing for systemic reforms that benefit all students.

Our unique and flexible approach to problem-solving gets students the support they need to succeed, educates and empowers families, and drives meaningful education reform.

 

Free advice and legal representation

We help families of students who are struggling or experiencing discrimination in school to protect their education-related rights and obtain the educational support their children need.

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Free trainings and workshops

Our know-your-rights trainings for parents, communities, educators, and other professionals equip them to better advocate on behalf of students.

Request a workshop

 

Policy advocacy

Based on our 50 years of on the ground experience, we conduct policy advocacy that spurs change in the education system and improves education outcomes.

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Impact litigation

When real change will not happen without a court order, our impact litigation provides the most marginalized students protection under the law, gives them the opportunity to receive a quality education, and compels education reform.

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  • Kevin's Story

    Advocates for Children assisted Kevin’s mother in finding a more appropriate school placement for sixth grade. With our help, Kevin enrolled at a specialized non-public school for students with disabilities, where he finally received the individualized support he needed.

    Kevin in cap and gown
  • Ashley's Story

    AFC helped Ashley enroll in a transfer school for older students that was close to her shelter, a school that could provide the small, supportive environment Ashley needed to ensure she didn’t fall through the cracks due to instability at home

  • Geoff's Story

    Working in tandem, AFC’s attorney and Geoff’s court-appointed attorney convinced the Court not to give Geoff jail time, but to enroll him in the residential program and give him the chance to have a future and to pursue his dreams.  

Learn more about the student populations we serve

Our staff of attorneys, advocates, and education specialists have successfully helped hundreds of thousands of families by providing free legal and advocacy services, including representation at school-related hearings and appeals, and teaching families what they need to know to stand up for their children’s educational rights.