Morning check-ins are just the beginning of student support at The Home’s NYC partner schools.
It’s 8:10 a.m. and Advocate Counselor Roberto Quezada of Wediko New York at The Home makes the first of his student check-ins from his desk at our partner school.
“Good morning, Junior*,” he texts. “Just making sure you’re up.” At 8:30, he texts again. “It’s me. I’m expecting you here—make sure you’re on your way, okay?” If he hasn’t heard from Junior by 8:50, he’ll text again.
Roberto has 27 more of these conversations going simultaneously, and so do his colleagues. He tailors each message to the student’s needs and situation, utilizing whatever tactic is most likely to get a reaction. He sends text stickers and even sings his morning message to one youth, leaving voice notes. While his outreach is sometimes met with sighs, eye rolls or a “leave me alone,” more often than not, students are in class by 9:15, when the school day begins.
“If they’re not,” says Roberto, “I’m making calls.” What makes these exchanges so powerful are the unspoken messages behind them. “While the goal is to check in on the youth, see how they’re doing and whether they’re coming to school,” says Community School Director Jules Jimenez, “More importantly, it’s that connection of knowing they belong here. That they’re part of a community. That somebody misses them, is looking for them, and that they’re valued here.” Wediko NY at The Home partners with schools to provide mental health services to New York City youth that promote well-being and improve engagement and outcomes. Our supports align with each school’s goals, including reducing absenteeism, while addressing barriers that prevent students from succeeding.
Building relationships that help students persevere and recognize their worth is what makes the difference. “We show students that we want them here not only because it’s good for them, but because we look forward to seeing them walk through the door,” says Clinical Program Manager Delilah Nieves-Jenkins. “We want to engage with them.”
When a student who doesn’t want to go to school sees that it matters to Roberto, it begins to matter to them. “First, they show up for him,” adds Delilah. “Eventually, they’re showing up for themselves.”
On November 1, Roberto is running The New York City Marathon for The Home. His students plan to cheer him on from the sidelines, holding banners they’ve created. They’re excited to show up for him, just as he shows up for them. If you’d like to support Roberto and our marathoners, visit thehome.org/runnyc.
