This week, Natasha Requeña reports that the Promise Project has pledged $1.5 million for the Department of Psychiatry’s PROMISE at Columbia program, which seeks to help children with learning disabilities primarily in the Harlem, Washington Heights, and South Bronx communities. This is the fourth year the Promise Project has supported PROMISE at Columbia.
Serving over 400 children since its launch in 2011, PROMISE provides children access to neuropsychological assessments to determine their disability, clinical recommendations and treatment programs, and follow-up support ensuring they receive the services they need in their public schools.
Dana Buchman, known for her eponymous women’s fashion brand, founded the Promise Project, which is dedicated to supporting underserved children with learning disabilities, after learning to manage her own daughter’s special needs. Buchman has become increasingly involved in the University and now sits on CUMC’s Board of Advisors and the Department of Psychiatry’s advisory board.
“This is a perfect example of a partnership from the very beginning,” said Requeña, executive director of development at CUMC. “The Promise Project came to us looking to work with a leading academic medical center, and, working closely with faculty, we put together this plan to create PROMISE at Columbia. The organization has consistently upgraded its support each year, allowing us to meet the growing need in the community, which is a true sign of success.”
