Since 1958, KCC has helped young children with special needs to learn, grow, and develop their unique abilities.
Today, we serve nearly 400 public preschool students every day, while offering vital services for their families, like training, counseling, and access to resources.
Our Mission
KCC provides high quality education services to young children with developmental delays, in partnership with families and communities. Our child-centered, evidence-based instruction prepares each student to enter the New York City public school system in the least restrictive environment possible.
We support families with training, guidance, and advocacy, and strengthen our school community through professional development and collaborations with local human service organizations. KCC is also committed to empowering a new generation of early childhood educators through our Grow Your Own Teacher Assistant and Teacher Training Program (GYO).
GROWING TEACHERS
Recognizing the importance of quality teaching staff for young children with special needs, KCC runs a small but mighty training program for aspiring educators. We recruit motivated people of color from our home communities of East Harlem and the Bronx and provide training and financial support to enable them to become certified teacher assistants and teachers.
Our Grow Your Own program strengthens communities by providing rewarding career opportunities, and strengthens our school by building a generation of well-trained, committed, and culturally-competent teachers.
“Working with kids feels so much more meaningful and important to me than any other job. I love being able to give back to them and to the community. GYO was truly a blessing.
— GYO Program Graduate
Our mission is made possible by our experienced leadership team and our volunteer Board of Directors.
Executive Leadership
Jeanne Alter, CEO
Chief Executive Officer
Mary McKillop, CPO
Chief Program Officer
Carolyn Cleveland, COO
Chief Operating Officer
Bhupendra Shah, CFO
Chief Financial Officer
Board of Directors
Kathy Awanis Garcia
Jacqueline Dauhajre
John Gibbons
Vijay Jesrani
Andrew Kraus
Sang Le
Edward Linden
Cindy Machles
Nicole Mar
Preeti Mone
Michael O’Hara
Shruti Patel
Melissa Salerno
Laura Shanley
Monsignor Kevin Sullivan
Brett Tremain
Stacey Wolf
Senior Leadership
Kristy Chau
Education Director, Manhattan
Tristan Dulangon
Director of Clinical Administration
Geraldo Feliciano
Education Director, Bronx
Nancy Hirsch
Director of Family Services
Brigid McCrory
Director of Education Programs
Julie Morris
Classroom Clinical Director, Bronx
Lianaveth Nieves
Finance & Operations Director
Chaimaa Regragui
Classroom Clinical Director, Manhattan
Yadira Salazar
Classroom Director, Bronx
Joe Spanberger
IT Director
Beth Turhan
Classroom Director, Manhattan