Our Mission
The GO Project helps New York City public school students thrive in the earliest stages of their education through year-round academic, social-emotional, and family support.
We believe that sustained, individualized and responsive academic instruction is the most effective pathway to closing achievement gaps for students across the city.
Our History
In 1968 volunteers from Grace Church and Grace Church School founded GO on the belief that, with the right support, every public school student could succeed.
Seeing students in Lower Manhattan struggling in under-resourced schools, they opened their classrooms on Saturdays and during summers.
With a $3,000 grant, two teachers, and 30 students, GO began its first program – built on community, resourcefulness, and care.
Over time, GO has grown organically to meet the evolving needs of students and their families.
In 2010, GO secured 501(c)(3) status; and in 2011, extended its programming to middle schoolers.
In 2017, GO expanded its services into Brooklyn, and increased its efforts on the Lower East Side.
Our Trajectory
Today, GO is a nonprofit serving more than 750 K–8 students each year. With the support of our host site and public school partners, we continue to provide the academic and social-emotional foundation students need to thrive.
Our Values
Achievement
Collaborate to create opportunities for unlocking the potential in ourselves and others. To set goals and support one another in achieving our ambitions.
Diversity
Support the rich variety of lived experiences represented in the backgrounds, talents, perspectives and experiences of our diverse community.
Participate & Innovate
Share knowledge and engage in the pursuit of our mission through creativity and ingenuity.
Integrity
Adhere strictly to the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, and mutual respect in our work.
Responsibility
Accountability to students, families, colleagues, and community for our choices and our actions–day in and day out.
Effort & Enthusiasm
Accept the challenge ahead and live wholeheartedly in each moment.
Since GO Project’s founding in 1968, our programs have provided academic and social emotional support to many students, but we have fallen short in recognizing and addressing the ways that systemic racism and inequities impact the public education system and the non-profit sector. The GO Project team has worked to unpack how white supremacy culture and other forms of oppression operate and how our organization has upheld tenants of this culture.
Our strength as an organization is in the diversity of our students, families, staff, and volunteers. One of our roles is to leverage that strength to challenge the structural inequities that allow for systemic racism, oppression, and violence to persist. We will continue and deepen this work together.
GO’s mission calls for equity in education, and we strive to provide an inclusive space for every member of our community in pursuit of that mission. We recommit with humility and intention to examine our work and practices, and to ensure opportunity and belonging for every child and adult we serve, as well as for those who work alongside us. We recognize that work to dismantle racism and all forms of oppression is never done. Our vision and goals are dynamic and we recognize that continuous commitment and reflection is paramount to our progress.
GO Project will:
- Center student, family, and community voices in our work.
- Hire and retain staff and partners at all levels who are representative of all identities of the communities we serve.
- Support culturally-competent teams at all levels by providing opportunities for training, discussion, and reflection.
- Deliver culturally-responsive programs and create inclusive, supportive learning environments.
- Be a place where feedback is given and received with vulnerability and care, and where mistakes are viewed as an expected stage of growth and innovation.
- Ensure staff feel appreciated, valued, and developed as a community of professionals.
- Recognize and address instances of bias so that community members feel safe and supported.
- Use qualitative and quantitative data and feedback to drive program quality and promote holistic growth directly for families and students.
- Take a thoughtful and inclusive approach to project planning and ensure there is sufficient time for visioning, planning, collaboration, and reflection.
- Commit to clear, transparent, collaborative, and inclusive decision-making with shared power and collective accountability to the greatest extent possible.
Give to GO
Help us close opportunity gaps for our young learners. Every dollar you give directly supports this crucial work.
Meet Our Team
Each person on the GO team contributes to an approach that makes a real difference in the lives of our community members.
Our Staff
Experienced educators and leaders committed to helping students and families thrive.
Our Board
Accomplished leaders and professionals who provide strategic guidance and support to advance GO’s crucial work.
Young Leadership Council
Dynamic young professionals bringing awareness to GO’s mission.
Our Partners
Partnership is key to our approach.
Since GO began in 1968, our model has brought together a unique network of partnerships with schools, universities, and community organizations across NYC that help students build academic skills and develop a love of learning.
We now partner with over 30 public schools, 6 host site schools, and numerous universities and community organizations in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn to ensure student success.
Children everywhere deserve access to a high-quality education.
GO works to ensure families with children struggling in New York City public schools receive access to comprehensive and effective resources to help their child thrive.
