A Message from Rossmery Dais

For more than 30 years, the 1199SEIU Child Care Funds and the 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation have supported more than 460,000 children and families of essential healthcare workers and the broader community. As we enter our next quarter century, our commitment remains unwavering: to serve working families through nurturing, enriching child-care programs and trusted resources.

We are excited to celebrate and share programmatic highlights from 2025 that reflect the passion and dedication of our amazing team. In this newsletter, you’ll read about the Youth Mentoring Program (YMP) closing ceremony, featuring keynote speaker Congresswoman Yvette Clarke of Brooklyn, who shared inspiring reflections—including her experience as one of YMP’s first program managers. Through the New York City-funded Summer Youth Employment Program, 84 WorkForce Program students gained valuable internship experience across a range of industries. More than 660 youth built friendships and resilience at our Anne Shore Sleep-Away Camp, while our youngest learners showcased their curiosity and creativity at the Future of America Learning Center’s annual science fair.

On October 22, we proudly hosted our 18th Annual Care for Kids Gala. The theme, Bridges to the Future, perfectly captured the pathways our programs create for children and families. We were honored to recognize three extraordinary leaders: Amalgamated Bank and its President and CEO, Priscilla Sims Brown; Marilyn A. Fraser, MD, CEO of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health; and Tomas Ramos, Founder, President and CEO of the Oyate Group. Together, these honorees exemplify leadership in social justice, public health, education and youth development. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we raised over $300,000 for our programs. We are deeply grateful to our donors and to our corporate sponsor, Aetna, for its unwavering partnership.

I look forward to the continued programs, partnerships and resources—and most importantly, the peace of mind—that our Child Care team provides to working families every day.

All the best,

Rossmery Dais
Executive Director, 1199SEIU Child Care Funds
President, 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation

2025–2026 Joseph Tauber Scholarship Program

awards scholarships to children of eligible members who are attending accredited undergraduate programs. This need-based award can be used for books, personal expenses, transportation, tuition or reducing student loan debt. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be eligible dependents of members belonging to the National Benefit Fund or Greater New York Child Care Fund. Applicants must also be high school graduates younger than 23 years old who are enrolled full-time in college and are taking a minimum of 12 credits each semester. Scholarship amounts vary according to need, with a minimum award of $750 per academic year.

During the 2025–2026 academic year, JTSP will grant over 2,500 scholarship awards. Here are the top 10 majors and institutions attended by 2025–2026 JTSP applicants:

Joseph Tauber Scholarship Program 2025 Graduate Corner

Each year, JTSP has the privilege of supporting extraordinary students as they pursue their academic goals. Last spring, our team was honored to attend select New York State and New York City graduation ceremonies to witness our scholars cross the stage—marking the culmination of years of dedication, resilience and exceptional hard work.

In addition to these milestone celebrations, JTSP proudly hosted their annual Graduate Photo Studio Day to honor the 2024–2025 scholarship awardees who completed their degrees in 2025. This special event provided a space for students to celebrate their accomplishments, connect with our staff and capture professional portraits commemorating their achievements.

In this issue, we are excited to highlight a few of the scholars who took part in these celebrations and share a glimpse into their remarkable journeys.

DAVID SHARER, HUNTER COLLEGE

2025 Hunter College valedictorian and graduate in Chemistry

PAULINE SHARER, HUNTER COLLEGE

2025 graduate in Nursing

These dynamic twins both enjoyed the Hunter College community and friendships they developed through the years and are grateful for the JTSP. David and Pauline also participated in the Study Incentive Program, and Pauline received the Next Generation Registered Nursing Scholarship award.

RAINA PLAISIR, UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER

Joseph Tauber Scholarship recipient Raina Plaisir, who graduated from the University of Rochester in May 2025, is the focus of an inspiring University of Rochester alumni news profile. The profile traces Raina’s remarkable journey from Haiti to Rochester, beginning with her family’s immigration to the United States after the 2010 earthquake. Despite the challenges of learning a new language and adjusting to a new environment, Raina thrived, thanks in part to her mother’s determination and her own growing passion for both science and the arts. Her path through LaGuardia High School and early theater experiences helped shape her dual interests in medicine and performance, which she continued to pursue throughout college.

The article also highlights Raina’s dynamic campus involvement, from her participation in the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students and the French Club to her love of writing, reading and sharing meaningful moments with friends. Financial aid—including her Women’s Network Scholarship—played a vital role in supporting her academic and personal growth, empowering her to forge her own path as a first-generation student.

2025 Care for Kids Gala

The 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation hosted its 18th Annual Care for Kids Gala on October 22, raising over $300,000 to support child-care and youth programs.

This year’s theme, Bridges to the Future, celebrated the impact of our work and honored Amalgamated Bank and its President and CEO, Priscilla Sims Brown; Marilyn A. Fraser, MD, CEO of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health; and Tomas Ramos, Founder, President and CEO of the Oyate Group.

The evening featured performances by Juilliard students and powerful stories from families and alumni. Thank you to our partner, Aetna, and all who made this event a success.

Future of America Learning Center (FALC) Program Highlights

ST(R)EAM SCIENCE FAIR

FALC hosted its 29th Annual Science Fair, with the theme “How Do We Travel? Exploring Movement and Pathways!” Students showcased hands-on projects in science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and math—ST(R)EAM—that reflected critical thinking, creativity and collaborative learning.

WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD

In April, children participated in activities celebrating early learning, including arts, music, cooking and small group projects. The week also featured the Scholastic Book Fair and Spring Picture Day.

CAREER EXPLORATION & PRE-K CULMINATION

Guided by the theme “When I Grow Up, I Want to Be…” Pre-K students explored different professions through classroom activities, family engagement and visits from community helpers. The experience culminated in a celebration where students proudly shared their future aspirations.

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

FALC hosted workshops on topics such as early literacy, behavior management and child development, along with community-building events, including Parent Child Yoga and Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations.

OLYMPIC/FIELD DAY

Students and families came together for the annual Olympic/Field Day at PS 246, participating in relay races and obstacle courses that promoted teamwork, movement and fun.

Students Get Hands-on Work Experience with WorkForce

WorkForce (WF2), in partnership with New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), provides 1199SEIU youth with paid summer work experiences that combine academic enrichment, career exploration and hands-on learning. Last summer, 84 students participated in SYEP, gaining real-world experience at virtual and in-person worksites. Students engaged in college readiness sessions with SUNY and CUNY representatives, participated in community service initiatives and explored career pathways in healthcare.

Through the Pre-RN track, students visited hospital settings, including Brookdale Hospital Medical Center and Bellevue Hospital, where they observed clinical environments and simulation labs. Participants also presented on a range of health topics as their culmination project, building confidence and public speaking skills.

Beyond the classroom, students strengthened peer connections through group outings and enrichment activities, creating a well-rounded experience that supported both academic and personal growth.

A Message from Rossmery Dais

As we look forward to what 2025 may bring, we also reflect on the amazing work done in 2024. Our mission at the 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Funds and the 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation remains steadfast: to ensure access to quality, affordable child-care and youth programs for 1199SEIU members and the community at large.

From our Future of America Learning Center’s “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” Science Fair to our Anne Shore Sleep-Away Camp Program to WorkForce 2000 summer internships—and everything in between—our children and families get the best we have to offer. In this issue of Child Care News, you will read about our Joseph Tauber Scholarship recipients, Aryan, Alia and J-Quan. They will share “In Their Own Words” the impact of our scholarships and how they have helped with their collegiate journeys at Cornell University, City College and John Jay College!

On November 20, 2024, we hosted our 17th annual Care for Kids Gala, where we had the honor of celebrating Dr. Danielle R. Moss Cox, CEO of Oliver Scholars, and Pamela J. Maraldo, PhD, CEO of Girls Inc. of New York City for their extraordinary work with youth. We are so grateful to our corporate chair, TD Bank, for helping to champion our event and our cause. In 2024 alone, funds raised from this event helped us support our current programs, pilot initiatives and provide scholarships, enabling us to assist 111 working families.

I remain extremely proud of the many lives we continue to uplift and the successes that come along with it. Enjoy the newsletter!

All the best,

Rossmery Dais
Executive Director, 1199SEIU Child Care Funds
President, 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation

Shaping the Leaders of Tomorrow: 2024 Care for Kids Gala Recap

The 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation’s 17th annual Care for Kids Gala was held on November 20, 2024, at Chelsea Piers’ Current. The event’s theme was “Shaping the Leaders of Tomorrow” in celebration of our work that nurtures, inspires and empowers our youth to maximize their potential and become effective leaders in our communities. This was highlighted by our past and current program participants who spoke about what our child-care programs have done for them.

TD Bank served as our corporate gala chair. In addition to hosting distinguished guests and community members, we enjoyed a wonderful performance by the Harlem School of the Arts Theatre Program’s fall show, School Girls; Or the African Mean Girl Play. This year, we honored Dr. Danielle R. Moss Cox, Chief Executive Officer of Oliver Scholars, and Pamela J. Maraldo, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Girls Inc. of New York City, for their extraordinary work with youth around New York.

This year’s event raised over $300,000 for CCC programming. Thank you to all who attended and those who continue to support our galas and year-round fundraising efforts. Funds raised help us support our current programs, pilot initiatives and provide scholarships. In 2024 alone, we assisted 111 families via summer day camp scholarships for Home Care members, piloting the Secondary High School Test Program, securing slots at Mount Sinai’s Nursing Pathway Program for our high-schoolers, covering sleep-away camp leadership training costs for our teens and much more. We look forward to many more years of uplifting our youth, their families and our communities.

Save the date! The 2025 Care for Kids Gala will take place on Wednesday, October 22, at Current in Chelsea Piers. The theme will be Bridges to the Future, and we hope to see you there!