The year 1968 was only the beginning, but countless generations of NYC youth wrote the rest. For 58 years, we’ve been bringing free educational and recreational programming to young people across the Bronx and Manhattan. Whether it’s a new art project, a coding class, or even a first job – our ethos is that hands-on experience is an essential part of any education. And while some young people face barriers in getting those experiences, CASW is here to bridge that gap.
From the 1968 Teachers’ Strike to NYC Freedom Schools
The story of CASW began with the 1968 New York City Teachers’ Strike, when union picket lines caused public schools to shut down in early autumn of that year. Over one million students couldn’t attend classes across the city, and concerned parents, community activists, and sympathetic teachers searched for solutions. To ensure their children did not fall behind, families and leaders formed makeshift schools in the basements of local churches (at the time, many of these arrangements were called “Freedom schools”). This was the origin of Children’s Arts and Science Workshops, which developed into a formal organization and continued to offer extracurricular activities after the strike ended.
Bridging the Gap: Over 50 Years of Free Youth Programming
For nearly 60 years, CASW has been a place of self-expression, exploration, and even refuge for generations of young people across the Bronx and Upper Manhattan. We’ve taught countless kids and watched them grow up, and some have even come back with their own children! For decades, we’ve watched so many people and NYC itself grow; we hope to continue being a part of that process for many years to come.
