Our Advocacy

Scroll down to learn more about how Educational Alliance advocates for our community and empowers New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds.

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Op-Eds From Our Leadership Team

Daily News Op-Ed: Americans Can Use a Settlement House Renaissance

Gannett News Network: How Can We Fix Our Divided Country?

In this op-ed, our President & CEO Rich Baum discusses how community centers like Educational Alliance (EA) can help bridge political divides and address the loneliness epidemic in our country. For more than a century, EA has been building connections and community, almost always across lines of race, religion, and class. In our experience, when we do the thoughtful, intentional work of creating a reason to connect, people seize the opportunity, love it, and come back. Click here to read the full op-ed.

The Villager Op-Ed: Reinforcing Community After Post-Covid Loneliness in New York City

The Villager published an op-ed, co-written by Educational Alliance President & CEO Rich Baum and 14Y Executive Director Alexis Often, on how community centers like 14Y are combatting the loneliness epidemic and helping to bring New Yorkers together in a purposeful way. Click here to read the full article and learn how Educational Alliance’s 14Y is building community through engaging and joyful programming.

Daily News Op-Ed: Helping Children Early is the Key

Manny Cantor Center’s Executive Director Jamie Davidson-Craig wrote an op-ed for The Daily News about the importance of early childhood enrichment and how it can help close the education gap between young learners of different backgrounds. Click here to read the article and learn more about how MCC’s early childhood education programs help children thrive.

City Council Testimony:

Prioritize Funding for Older Adults

In March 2025, Educational Alliance testified before the New York City Council’s Committee on Aging, urging the city to prioritize funding programs and services that help older adults remain in their communities as they age. Click here to read the full testimony and click here to learn firsthand what our older adult programs mean to one of our Sirovich and Project ORE participants.

Community Care Plan

In September 2024, Educational Alliance testified before the New York City Council’s Committee on Aging, advocating for support for the older adult population through a robust investment in the Community Care Plan. Click here to read the full testimony and learn more about how EA helps older adults age with dignity.

Administering DCLA’s Cultural Development Fund

In September 2023, Educational Alliance testified before the New York City Council’s Committee on Cultural Affairs, calling for reforms including timeliness, accountability, transparency, and equity in the funding process. Since our earliest years, we have provided cultural programs that offer a creative outlet to our community. Click here to learn more about our historic EA art school and click here to read about LABA, a Laboratory for Jewish culture.