Trinity Church’s Commitment to New York’s Schoolchildren

October 4, 2024 | Tasha Tucker

We have always faced racial and economic inequality, but the COVID-19 pandemic worsened those divides in new and challenging ways. That is especially true for young people affected by school closures and sharp reductions in after-school enrichment activities. Studies show that after experiencing overwhelming social isolation and disconnection from academic study, Black and brown youth require an immense response for recovery.

New York City students and parents agree that the best path forward involves supporting a holistic model of education and mental healthcare. In response, the Racial Justice initiative at Trinity Church is deepening and expanding its support for our young people to include grant making that focuses on education and youth development. 

Since 2019, Trinity has invested in achieving racial justice and criminal justice through 250 grants totaling over $46 million. Our philanthropy supports the implementation of the Clean Slate Act, helping to ensure that 2.3 million New Yorkers receive a fair chance at obtaining housing, employment and education.  

We also found that nearly half of all Racial Justice grants included goals related to improved educational outcomes. Between 2023 and 2024, Trinity issued nearly $18 million in grants and gifts to programs supporting youth enrichment. Our grantee partners have provided tutoring and mentorship, promoted social-emotional learning, fostered youth leadership, supported youth violence intervention, increased connection to identity and history, and intervened to support youth caught in the justice system. Those efforts have played a pivotal role in improving educational outcomes for students, supporting families in need, and ensuring every child can thrive. 

While this work is impactful, we want to make a bigger bet on our city’s young people both inside and outside the classroom. Our investments recognize the intersectional nature of racial justice and educational equity. Over the next two years, Trinity’s Racial Justice initiative will be at the forefront of using our institutional experience to improve educational outcomes for young people. Our experience as both a large-scale grant maker and a direct provider of on-the-ground support to students and families uniquely positions us to make a difference in this critical space. 

Trinity has welcomed young parishioners, students from our neighborhood partner schools, and youth from across the city to take part in our free programming and after-school activities.  They gather in our lower Manhattan community space for extracurricular enrichment, homework support, and music education, all while building valuable social skills. Trinity Youth members consider questions of faith, students from Leadership and Public Service High School warm up on the basketball court, and young musicians explore creative collaboration. 

In addition, our grants and gifts to educational and civic organizations across our parish have demonstrated that a holistic model of education and mental healthcare provides better results. Expanding our focus also aligns with Trinity’s role as a good neighbor and steward of our community, where students of color often struggle with disproportionately lower access to educational enrichment activities.   

Trinity’s holistic commitment to youth will broaden our ability to empower Black and brown students to achieve academically, lead movements, gain new experiences, and develop a strong sense of belonging and community.  

We’ve made tremendous progress, and we are proud of grantees whose efforts led to the passage of historic bail reforms and the Clean Slate Act. Trinity remains deeply invested in helping realize the promise and potential of Black and brown youth to thrive and shape our city’s future. I am committed to learning out loud, so this will not be the last time you will hear about this process. 

Tasha Tucker is Managing Director, Racial Justice at Trinity Church.