Representatives from the Chelsea Children’s Cabinet visited the Harlem Children's Zone in February of 2025

CHELSEA, Mass. – On February 12, 2025, twelve members of the Chelsea Children’s Cabinet visited the Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ), a nationally recognized model for holistic, community-driven educational support. The purpose of this visit was to enhance collaboration with community-based organizations (CBOs) to better support Chelsea students.

Chelsea Public Schools (CPS) staff, legislative delegates, and local partners explored best practices in wraparound services, family engagement, and student-centered programming. By learning directly from HCZ’s successful initiatives, CPS and its community partners can more effectively align their services with students’ needs and advance a shared vision for integrated community support.

Investing in visits like these is a strategic step toward building a strong, sustainable network of local partners. By fostering these relationships, we aim to create a comprehensive support system that provides Chelsea students with critical academic, social-emotional, and enrichment services. The visit to the Harlem Children’s Zone included visiting their Promise Academy, Little Gems Program (pre-K), their extended learning program, and learning about how they impact policy and support their students in college and career. 

Superintendent Abeyta shared her excitement, saying, “This was my second visit to the Harlem Children’s Zone, and I was thrilled to bring a team from Chelsea along. My hope was that they, too, would be inspired by HCZ’s transformative work—so that together, we can dream big for the youth of Chelsea and, just maybe, turn those dreams into reality!”

The delegation included the following:  Senator Sal DiDomenico; Christie Young, Chief of Staff for Sal DiDomenico; State Representative Judith Garcia; Ana Hernandez, Chair of the Chelsea School Committee; Dr. Almi G. Abeyta, Superintendent of Chelsea Public Schools; Fidel Maltez, City Manager; Gina Centrella, Executive Director of the Chelsea Boys and Girls Club; Debbie Kneeland, Executive Director of For Kids Only; Pastor Diego Netto, Pastor of Revive Church; Dr. Aaron Jennings, Chelsea Public Schools Chief of Staff & Equity; Meg Maccini, Principal of Chelsea Virtual Learning Academy; and Dr. Rebecca Lowenhaupt, Boston College of Education Professor.

“The Harlem Children Zone is a striking example of a group of dedicated individuals working in unison to radically improve thousands of people’s lives for the better and it was an honor to be invited and learn about this seminal project with my Chelsea colleagues,” said State Senator Sal DiDomenico. “The reason an initiative like this works is because their programs address the root causes of poverty and offer wrap-around high-quality services across every aspect of life from education to health care to childcare to community building and so much more. I am grateful for leaders like Geoffrey Canada and Kwame Owusu-Kesse who are spreading these ideas across the country and creating opportunities for thousands of scholars. I plan on doing everything I can to bring these transformational steps to my district and throughout our state.”

“Though Chelsea and Harlem have their own unique histories, cultures, and challenges, the Harlem Children’s Zone’s cradle-to-career approach resonates deeply with the City of Chelsea’s commitment to empowering our residents,” said Chelsea City Manager Fidel Maltez. “This visit was inspired by the Zone’s success in creating pathways to opportunity in the face of adversity. Chelsea aims to replicate this success and aspires to continue to build opportunities that empower our residents to overcome challenges and thrive.”

The visit to the Harlem Children’s Zone served as an invaluable opportunity for the Chelsea Children’s Cabinet and its community partners to strengthen collaborations and gather insights on successful, community-driven educational support models. By learning from HCZ’s holistic approach to supporting students and families, Chelsea is taking important steps toward creating a more integrated and comprehensive support system for its youth. With continued commitment and collaboration, Chelsea is well on its way to fostering lasting change and empowering its youth to thrive.