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 (now called the TASC), 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 toped 17.5%, the highest rate in the state.
We recommend the following resources to learn more about the barriers which the new high school equivalency exam in New York State presents to under-educated women in the Bronx, and the broader economic challenges that the current economy presents to younger Bronx women in particular: New, Tougher GED has Students Scrambling City Limits, December 2013 Unleashing the Economic Power of the 35% A policy paper prepared by JobsFirstNYC July, 2014 a New report showing that the number of people sitting for the high school equivalency exam in New York State in 2014, using the new TASC exam, is way down from previous years. February, 2015
STAFF
Danae Mcleod
Nicola Clarke
and College Program graduate
Lisa DeMun
Zaukema Blanding
Arlet Hamilton
College Program Graduate
Humaira Aktar
College Program Graduate
Elizabeth Walsh
Danielle Hall
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Elise Benkard
CO-CHAIR
Founder, Penelope’s Stories
John Hughes
Treasurer
Vice President, Goldman Sachs
Margaret M. Grace
CO-CHAIR
Attorney
Marie Konstance
Nonprofit
Consultant
Paula B. Bralow
Secretary
Attorney
Dr. Julie Padilla, Ed. D.
Assistant Principal
at REACS
Kaitlyn Buckley
Founder and Teacher
TLC Tutoring
Andrew Passari
Managing Director
HSBC
Adam Colon
Attorney
Hearst Magazine
Gwen Shufro
Director
Tamer Center for Social Enterprise, Columbia Business School
Donnette Dunbar
CEO
Dash Media PR
Stephanie Whittier
Executive Director
Private Management, Morgan Stanley
ASSOCIATE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Sam Cannon
Analyst
Hound Partners
Sung Jo
Research Analyst
Vice President Pine Bridge Investments
Rucha Desai
Senior Enterprise Risk Managerment (ERM)
Advisory Consultant, Ernst & Young
Madison Kiani
Product Marketing Manager
Etsy
Patrick Guerriero
Analyst
AC Investment Management
Shorya Mantry
Investment Analyst
Starboard Value
Dominique Gumbs
Research Analyst
Elliott Management
Peter Savarese
Associate
New Mountain Capital
Janine Harwood
Project Manager
Societe Generale
Liesel Schapira
Litigation Associate
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher
Tiana Hertel
Attorney
Sean Tansley
Sales Strategy Analyst
OnDeck
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 Prep and Career Prep services 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, Ms. Margaret Grace & Ms. Elise Benkard Board Co-Chairs
