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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 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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  • Cheick's Story

    Cheick arrived in the U.S. on his own at age 16 and enrolled in high school, but was told—illegally—that he had to leave and transfer to a high school equivalency program.

    cheick in cap and gown on graduation day
  • Caleb's Story

    "Hopefully our differently abled students will benefit from this increased awareness, and appropriate and inclusive programs and services will become more widely available."

  • George's Story

    George was a junior with no history of disciplinary reprimands, but when noticed graffiti in the bathroom and informed the school safety officer, he was hand-cuffed, arrested, and suspended from school.

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.