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Read the press release here.

Board Quits Brooklyn Nonprofit After Parents Protest Founder's Firing

By Camille Bautista | November 25, 2014 8:45am
 The board at Children of Promise in Bed-Stuy resigned last week after a controversial decision to fire its leader, who was later reinstated by interim members. The nonprofit caters to children of incarcerated parents. 
The board at Children of Promise in Bed-Stuy resigned last week after a controversial decision to fire its leader, who was later reinstated by interim members. The nonprofit caters to children of incarcerated parents. 
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Facebook/Children of Promise

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Board members from a Brooklyn nonprofit catering to children of incarcerated parents resigned from their positions last week after heated protests over the firing of the organization's executive director.

The move prompted the sacked Sharon Content to be reinstated.

Ten out of 11 members heading Bedford-Stuyvesant’s Children of Promise quit on Friday, two days after founder and executive director Content announced her termination.

The board had fired Content, who started the organization in her basement in 2006, after an internal investigation revealed misuse of the company van, among other issues.

According to a statement from the former board, members used an outside law firm for the “extensive and independent” probe, saying they looked into several allegations including loans signed without their knowledge.

Content admitted to some of the accusations during a meeting with parents and community members last week.

The findings of the investigation were passed to the Office of the New York Attorney General on Thursday, members added.

Children of Promise provides mental health services, mentoring, summer camp and afterschool programs for kids throughout the city.

Outraged parents disagreed with the boards’ actions, with many in tears over the change in leadership and several saying there were no procedures or policies established for Content to violate.

Last Wednesday, she called on families of the nonprofit to reach out to board members with their dissatisfaction.

“Based on a meeting that occurred at CPNYC on Wednesday, it has become clear that the Board can no longer serve in a capacity as fiduciaries,” the board’s statement reads.

“Accordingly, the Board has resigned.”

All but one member, attorney Andrew Maloney, quit his volunteer post from the organization, according to Content.

“Other board members seemed primarily concerned with their professional and personal liability,” she told DNAinfo. “Andrew’s decision to remain was based more on how we could retain services for the families — what can we do to work through this situation?”

Following the resignations, Maloney, one of the founding members, voted for two others to join him in the interim.

George Lino, who previously worked with Children of Promise, and Bed-Stuy resident and advocate Oma Holloway will serve on the board. During last week’s meeting, protesters called for more community input and neighborhood voices.

Lino, Maloney and Holloway reinstated Content as the organization’s executive director and president on Monday.

“I’m confident in my management of the agency,” Content said. “There weren’t any fiscal discrepancies. I didn’t embezzle anything. I’m confident there won’t be any ramifications.”

Now that she’s back in charge, she hopes to work with the new board to ensure there are administrative policies for fiscal oversight, adding that she is “supportive of making whatever necessary changes or improvements.”

Members are creating a strategic plan for the next six months to strengthen the agency’s service for the more than 200 children who attend Children of Promise.

“Throughout all of this, I never wavered in my commitment to the families,” Content said.

“While this has been a very difficult time in dealing with a board that wasn’t open to options or suggestions, I wanted to make sure it didn’t trickle down to the kids.

“I’m happy to be back in a position that I feel is my life’s work. This is my calling. This is where I’m supposed to be.”