MISSION
Founded in 2004, Grace Outreach serves low-income women of all ages who seek to enhance their academic skills, pursue higher education, and find employment. We began primarily as a GED education center, but we have grown into a successful larger organization offering classes, training, and academics for the equivalency test, a college program that works with students to start and graduate from college, and a full array of career services and events. With our ongoing support, hundreds of women have earned their equivalency diplomas and moved on to higher educational goals, better career opportunities, and financial independence.
THE SOUTH BRONX
The Bronx is the poorest urban county in the United States, where food deserts are commonplace and health outcomes remain disproportionately poor. The median household income in the South Bronx is half the New York City average at less than $26,000 and only 50% of Bronx residents between the ages of 25-65 were employed before the pandemic. The Bronx was hit hard by the pandemic. We had the city’s highest rates of virus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Unemployment also soared. Manhattan’s unemployment reached 10.3% while the Bronx topped 17.5%, the highest rate in the State.
STAFF
Humaira Aktar
College Program Graduate
Zaukema Blanding
Nicola Clarke
and College Program graduate
Stephanie Gomez
Arlet Hamilton
College Program Graduate
Danae Mcleod
Dasha Sverzhanovskaya
Nadia Sultana
Elizabeth Walsh
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Elise Benkard – Co-Chair
Founder, Penelope’s Stories
Margaret M. Grace – Co-Chair
Attorney
Kaitlyn Buckley – Founder and Teacher, TLC Tutoring
Adam Colon – Corporate Counsel, Google
Donnette Dunbar – CEO, Dash Media PR
John Hughes – Treasurer, Vice President, Goldman Sachs
Marie Konstance – Nonprofit Consultant
Kim Mustin – Senior Managing Director, Bernstein Private Wealth Management
Dr. Julie Padilla, Ed. D. – Assistant Principal, REACS
Andrew Passeri – Managing Director, HSBC
Stephanie Whittier – Executive Director, Private Management, Morgan Stanley
ASSOCIATE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Sam Cannon – Analyst, Hound Partners
Rucha Desai – Senior Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Advisory Consultant, Ernst & Young
Ellie Dorsey – Guidehouse, Management Consultant
Patrick Guerriero – Analyst, AC Investment Management
Dominique Gumbs – Research Analyst, Elliott Management
Janine Hardwood – Project Manager, Societe Generale
Sung Jo – Research Analyst, Vice President Pine Bridge Investments
Shorya Mantry – Investment Analyst, Starboard Value
A LETTER FROM
THE BOARD CO-CHAIRS
Welcome to Grace Outreach. We believe that education is a right, not a privilege. That’s why we’re here: to empower women like you to exercise your right to continue your education and move towards financial independence. By deciding to continue your education, you are investing in your future. Our program is all about women helping women help themselves and designed to ensure your success by providing individualized support each step along the way. Here you learn from each other – without any outside distractions – and leave with the tools and self confidence that translate to your children, family, and community. Throughout this website, you’ll learn about the program and its leadership: our dedicated Board of Directors; our talented and immensely committed teaching staff, and our student tutors – all Grace Outreach graduates – with a first-hand understanding of where you’re coming from. Since 2004, Grace Outreach has helped over 1,000 women like you attain their GED/high school equivalency diploma. But the diploma is just the beginning. That’s why Grace Outreach also provides College and Career Programs to help you move forward. It’s not always easy trying something new, but we promise you, everyone here is dedicated to making sure you achieve your goals. We look forward to seeing you and working alongside you.
All the best, Margaret Grace & Elise Benkard, Board Co-Chairs
FUNDERS
Grace Institute Foundation
Santa Maria
Hamond Family Foundation
The Clark Foundation