Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Parents Fear Program Shutdown After Firing of Brooklyn Nonprofit's Founder

By Camille Bautista | November 20, 2014 4:11pm
 Parents and community members are protesting a change in leadership at Children of Promise, a Brooklyn nonprofit that caters to children whose parents are imprisoned.
Parents and community members are protesting a change in leadership at Children of Promise, a Brooklyn nonprofit that caters to children whose parents are imprisoned.
View Full Caption
Michelle W. Liew

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — The founder of a nonprofit that caters to children whose parents are imprisoned has been fired after an internal investigation into misuse of a van, among other things, sources told DNAinfo.

The move was slammed as unfair by some angry parents, one of whom stormed out of a Wednesday meeting at which Children of Promise’s founder and president Sharon Content spoke.

Content, whose last day was Thursday, said she was offered an "insulting" severance package.

Founded in the basement of Content’s home in 2006, the nonprofit expanded to 54 MacDonough St. in Bed-Stuy and now serves more than 200 children of prisoners and their families each year, offering mental health services, mentoring, summer camp and afterschool programs.

Content relayed the news of her termination at Wednesday's emotional meeting with parents and elected officials, saying she would not go quietly and calling on community members to ensure “the board does the right thing” to prevent the agency’s failure.

“I have to let you know what’s going on, as the individuals so concerned about our agency and the commitment and love you have,” she said through tears.

A four-month investigation by board members found indiscretions including personal use of the company’s van during a holiday break, she said. A former employee also said Content overpaid another worker, according to sources.

While Content denied some of the allegations, she admitted using the van and taking out two loans last year that she used for payroll.

That decision was made during a time when Children of Mission was strained financially, she said.

“I had to make sure I did what I felt I had to do to make sure my staff was paid…and the children wouldn’t feel it,” she said.

Members of the nonprofit’s board did not immediately respond to several calls for comment.

"This is a very difficult situation in that I was just supposed to accept this, smile, move on, but I can’t," Content said at Wednesday's meeting. "I can’t do it.”

Although the founder said she cooperated with the board, she expressed her desire to stay on and urged parents to reach out to the members for feedback.

“I’m passing the baton to each of you,” she said. “Not to appeal for me or for my job, but to appeal to ensure the plan of action that’s going to happen here is one that’s going to ensure that services continue for these young people...There is no manual for this."

Wednesday’s meeting in the organization’s library room was originally meant to introduce the newest board member and Content’s interim replacement, Bonnie Steingart.

Steingart, a former teacher and lawyer, faced harsh criticism from parents who said she would be unable to relate to their children. Amid cries from outraged attendees, Steingart told dissenters that “nothing will change,” citing her knowledge as an educator and experience raising money for organizations.

One parent stormed out of the meeting following a heated exchange.

Ennisia Skerritt, a 16-year-old who attends Children of Promise, broke down in tears while defending Content, saying the director formed connections with each of the children.

“I’m able to come here and feel like this is my safe haven and Ms. Content is able to help me,” Skerritt said.

“When I feel like no one really cares, I can call her up at any time. She’s there 100 percent of the time. It hurts, it really hurts that they’re going to replace her.

“You can’t just bring a different person because it is going to change.”