A Letter from our President

 Dear Parents in Action Community,

As we move farther into 2026 and reflect on 2025, we know parenting feels more complex than ever.  Yet, through it all, we at NYC-Parents in Action are proud of the progress we have made in strengthening parent-to-parent and parent-to-child communication across our community.  We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this possible–our donors, volunteers, parents, schools, speakers, and participants.  Your generosity and involvement have made 2024-2025 an impactful year for parents across the schools and groups we serve.

As a volunteer-led nonprofit, every dollar donated supports our mission to strengthen parent communities and provide meaningful content that supports families at every stage.  Our volunteer-led model continues to power meaningful conversations in schools, and our trained facilitators bring depth and empathy to discussions around parenting challenges–from mental health to technology, from learning differences to peer relationships. 

Here’s what your support made possible this year: 

Expanded Training: We recruited new professionally-trained volunteer Parent Talk Facilitators, ready to guide thoughtful conversations in schools.

Sustained Connection: We delivered 196 Parent Talk sessions across 22 schools, serving 2,252 parents–maintaining our strong presence and enabling parents to connect and learn.

Responsive Programming: We introduced new topics (digital wellbeing, emotional resilience) in response to evolving needs, ensuring our parenting advice content remains relevant and timely.

Strengthened Partnerships: We deepened our relationships with school parent communities and stakeholders, creating more robust support networks.

We also faced challenges this year–in particular, the complex landscape of adolescent mental health, ongoing shifts in family dynamics post-COVID, and the persistent need for accessible parent education.  Thanks to your support and commitment, we navigated these challenges with creativity, collaboration, and compassion.

Our signature events, Teen Scene and the inaugural Parenting Scene, brought together hundreds of families, creating spaces for authentic dialogue about the realities of raising children in today’s world.  At NYC-Parents in Action, we here to support you along the way.  Looking ahead, we will deepend our reach, refine our content. and ensure that every parent who wants to connect, learn, and engage finds a welcoming space with us.  You’ve got this, and we are here to help.  

On behalf of our Board, staff, and volunteers, thank you for believing in this work.  Together, we are building stronger parent communities in New York City, one conversation at a time. 

Warmly,

Charles Harkless
President, NYC-Parents in Action