Astoria Houses Tenants Raise $184K For Kids' College Funds

ASTORIA, QUEENS — A community scholarship program led by the Astoria Houses Resident Association raised $184,000 to help children living in the NYCHA complex save up for college.

The funds are enough to invest $1,000 in the college or career savings accounts of every kindergartener, first grader, second grader and third grader in the Astoria Houses through the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program, according to a news release.

Astoria Houses Resident Association President Claudia Coger, 85, spearheaded the fundraising campaign — the first community scholarship effort to be led by a NYCHA residents' association, according to the housing authority.

"This is not only a real financial foundation that our children can rely on in 10+ years when they graduate from high school and set off on their career path," Coger wrote in the fundraiser's description. "It is also sending them a message TODAY that their community believes in them and knows they can succeed. With all the fear and pain our children are living through right now, that message is in some ways more important than ever."

Astoria Houses children already had a combined total of $21,000 in their scholarship accounts, which were created by NYC Kids RISE about three years ago as part of a pilot program in District 30.

The effort is meant to be a springboard for economic opportunity: College-educated employees tend to earn higher salaries, and NYC Kids Rise cites research that children with even a small savings account are likelier to graduate from college.

Astoria Houses residents will host a virtual celebration of the scholarship campaign on Feb. 6.