HDWC Annual Board Meeting Highlights Agency's Accomplishments - 2011

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Harlem Dowling West Side Center for Children and Family Services recently held its annual board meeting at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building's Art Gallery.  Called to order by President and new dad Tim Mulvaney the evening kicked off with a warm welcome from Executive Director Dorothy Worrell.  After introductions, Harlem Dowling's executive staff gave an informative powerpoint presentation that truly highlighted the impacting, dedicated work the agency is doing on behalf of children and their families.  

Over the past 10 years, HDWC, which is one of the USA's first charitable foundations dedicated to children and first to take in 'colored' orphans, has helped over eight hundred displaced foster care kids find a place to call home.  "This is a major milestone which reflects the dedication and commitment of our staff and the supporting communities" stated HDWC Executive Director, Dorothy Worrell.  Today, Harlem Dowling serves well over 1.200 children throughout its various programs which include home and out of home care.  Preventive Services, which services over 216 families and over 400 children, remains the agency's largest program.

Earlier this year, HDWC announced its capitol building fund which calls for the construction of the agency's first and standalone facility since the closing of the Colored Orphan Asylum several decades ago.  The new facility will be a green building that will include approximately 15,000 sq ft. of dedicated office space and an additional $45,000 sq ft. of space dedicated for low-income and subsidized housing.  Ground breaking for the 8-9 story building, which will be located on the corner of 127th st and Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd is anticipated to take place in 2012, with an occupancy date of 2013.  For additional information and tickets for the Gala, please call Wanda Collington at 212.749.3656 Est. 3070 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Today HDWC remains one of NYC's leading multi-service agencies providing out-of-home foster care, adoption, therapeutic placement, supportive housing for youth aging out of foster care, and other support services.  Related services include, family preservation, HIV/AIDS services, family support services, and after school programs for children and families living in Central Harlem, Washington Heights, Southeast Queens and Far Rockaway.  The agency remains true to its founding tradition of uplifting humanity and annually serves over 2,500 inner-city children and their families.

On Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 in Celebration of National Adoption Month, actor Michael K. Williams and NY-1 News anchorwoman Cheryl Wills joins Harlem Dowling as hosts for its 2011 Awards Gala at Bridgewaters, 11 Fulton Street.  The evening will include live performances and a silent auction.  For additional information, please call Wanda Collington at 212.749.3656 ext 3070 or visit online at http://www.harlemdowling.org