Elementary School Initiative (ESI)

The National Executive Council’s Elementary School Initiative (ESI), in community with Healthy Routines, and Nickelodeon School Partnership Program, serves public elementary schools across the country.

About Nickelodeon School Partnership Program (NSPP)

Entering its fourth year, the Nickelodeon School Partnership Program (NSPP) is serving over 200,000 students mainly at Title 1 schools in grades PK-8. The thoughtfully selected schools allow for a demographic mix of rural, suburban and urban, as well as ethnicity and race. We strive to bring resources and benefits to schools where students have limited opportunities and resources. The NSPP directly connects our partners to communities providing much needed resources, including especially curated programs, complimentary subscriptions and a wide range of digital assets and opportunities. Nickelodeon also co-develops materials with our partner organizations and key experts in support of the NSPP.

About The Elementary School Initiative

The Elementary School Initiative (ESI), in partnership with community based organization Healthy Routines, is an early education intervention that empowers public elementary schools in underserved communities by providing quality educational resources, and direct support to their students.

The National Executive Council (NEC) at Columbia University’s Center for Justice is composed of multi discipline educators, researchers, and conflict resolution practitioners. Our primary mission is to support communities challenged by conditions of poverty. Collaborating with neighborhood stakeholders, businesses, and governmental entities, the NEC is determined to co-design community-centered programs & policies, cultivating holistic wellness and growth.

ESI and HBCUs

Our work in neighborhoods such as New York, Maryland and Washington D.C., and our explorations in the Southeast; Georgia, South Carolina and Midwest states Missouri and Arkansas, emphasizes the importance of HBCU collaboration. As we expand and strengthen the ESI with postsecondary partners outside of Columbia University, we recognize the pivotal role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)— and their educational excellence and longstanding commitment to underserved communities make them invaluable allies in our mission.

Recognizing their profound community connections and dedication to service, we are dedicated to supporting our HBCU partners as they design pathways to campus for neighborhoods in need. We are on a mission to rejuvenate classrooms with resources that breed innovation and engagement.

Law School Neighborhood Access Program (NAP)

The law school neighborhood access program is designed to aid first-generation, low-income, and minority students who are considering attending law school. The year-long program brings selected participants to the law school for Saturday Academies. These sessions feature counseling on the law school application process as well as mentorship from attorneys and law students. Participants who complete the program will receive free LSAT preparation courses, networking opportunities, and admissions advising. The ultimate goal of this program is to diversify the legal profession and empower traditionally under-represented students to become successful law school applicants and lawyers.

South Carolina Coalition for Higher Education in Prison: SCCHEP

Healthy Routines, in partnership with several postsecondary institutions, organizations, and system-impacted scholars, has established the South Carolina Coalition For Higher Education in Prison (SCCHEP). SCCHEP is a coalition focused on providing post secondary educational opportunities for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals. This coalition is committed to providing system-impacted learners with comprehensive educational pathways, ranging from pre-college coursework to the completion of college degrees.

Recognizing the importance of holistic intervention, the coalition strives to provide comprehensive support for system-impacted students. This includes housing options that cater to both immediate and long-term needs, and workforce opportunities that focus on sustainable, living-wage careers. Additionally, SCCHEP is focused on building a network that supports students' mental and physical well-being, understanding the multifaceted challenges that our system impacted learners face.

Furthermore, SCCHEP and its partner entities are constantly advocating for structural changes that broaden access to higher education and support services. We are committed to developing robust, ethical, and equitable programming within the state, aiming to design an environment with our system impacted learners that not only facilitates educational attainment but also supports the overall reintegration and success of our scholars in society.

Georgia Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (GACHEP)

The National Executive Council (NEC) at Columbia University and Healthy Routines have been partners with GACHEP since its inception for the sole purpose of fostering the best higher education practices from Columbia University and across the country to augment Georgia’s prison in education programs. GACHEP aims to build and support high-quality educational pathways, from pre-college coursework to accredited degree completion for people in prison and jail and people who have left corrections in Georgia. GACHEP members collaborate to build networks for students and alumni; connect people who have left prison to resources in housing, transportation, healthcare, and employment; and support policy that expands access to higher education. GACHEP includes higher ed partners such as Georgia State University, Emory University, Life University, Morehouse College, Spelman, University of Georgia, as well as community based organizations such as RestoreHer, Project Restart, Urban League of Greater Atlanta, and City of Refuge.

Learn More

Leadership Academy

DEEP: Supportive Housing for Learners

DEEP: Supportive Housing for Learners

This program is specifically tailored to assist students grappling with homelessness and housing insecurity, by offering them a secure and conducive living environment. It emphasizes not just the provision of shelter but also the integration of essential services such as academic tutoring, mental health support, and life skills workshops directly within the housing facilities. DEEP collaborates closely with educational institutions and community organizations to ensure a well-rounded support system that addresses both the immediate and long-term needs of its participants. By involving students in the governance and evolution of the housing projects, DEEP fosters a sense of ownership, community, and empowerment among its residents. The ultimate goal of DEEP is to establish a scalable and adaptable model that can be implemented in different regions, aiming to mitigate the barriers to educational success faced by students in precarious housing situations.