New Alternatives for Children (NAC) Receives a $3 Million Grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation.

In recognition of the gift, NAC will unveil the Cohen Medical and Mental Health Clinics

NEW YORK, NEW YORK—Monday, September 16, 2024—New Alternatives for Children (NAC), a leading child welfare, health, and social service organization exclusively serving families caring for children with special medical needs, announces a $3 million grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. The grant supports the capital building of NAC’s new health and social services facility at 825 Seventh Avenue, including the completion of a new state-of-the-art medical and mental health center. The new facility represents an expansion for NAC and will elevate the services it provides for children and families living in New York City.

In recognition of the grant, the single largest gift toward its capital project, NAC has established the Cohen Medical and Mental Health Clinics. The clinics will provide vital pediatric preventive care and mental health services for children and families who have significant healthcare needs, and who are experiencing, or at risk of, child welfare involvement.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation for their commitment to ensuring that our city’s most vulnerable children have access to the services and programs they need to ensure their emotional well-being,” said NAC Executive Director, David Goldstein. “Since moving to our new headquarters, NAC has been able to make a larger impact on the community”

“Every child in need in New York City should have access to the highest standard of care,” said Alex Cohen, President of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. “We are proud to support NAC as they care for children with complex medical needs and provide comprehensive family services.”

The Cohen Medical and Mental Health Clinics will be unveiled at NAC’s official opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 17, 2024.

The agency’s new headquarters extends to over 60,000 sq. ft. of newly built space on three floors and includes full New York State-licensed mental health and medical clinics.  Other features include:

1. 149 offices and open-plan workstations.
2. 7 family playrooms
3. Tutoring rooms and a library
4. 36 mental health therapy rooms, including art therapy, music therapy, autism therapy, and a sensory room
5. 10 medical offices
6. 10 conference and meeting rooms
7. Staff and client lounge and outdoor terrace connected by a wheelchair ramp

“For over four decades, NAC has been leading the way with our approach to child welfare services and the support we give to children in our communities with disabilities,” said NAC founder Arlene Goldsmith. “Our new magnificent headquarters enable us to showcase our specialized and innovative health and social service programming while providing a safe and nurturing space for our children and families to feel valued and supported”

NAC’s Open House will take place on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 825 7^th Avenue in Manhattan, from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM. Joining in on the celebration will be NAC’s Board of Directors, philanthropic supporters, community leaders and partners, and elected officials.

About New Alternatives for Children

NAC provides the highest standard of care for the most vulnerable children in NYC, so they can grow up healthy, safe, secure, and with every opportunity to thrive. The organization offers integrated health and social services with a full continuum of services that ensure children’s physical, social, educational, recreational, medical and mental healthcare needs are met.