Welcome to Harriman Programs 2.0

If you’re here, chances are you care deeply about children, families, and the role schools play in shaping their futures. Whether you’re a parent, educator, school leader, or community partner, we want to start by saying this: you belong here.

Harriman Afterschool and Summer Programs exists to support students beyond the school day, in partnership with schools and families. We believe that what happens after dismissal matters just as much as what happens during the school day—and that children thrive best when learning, care, and consistency work together.

This blog is one of the ways we share how we think, what we value, and how we show up in the communities we serve.

Who Harriman Is (and Why We Exist)

Harriman was built on a simple but powerful idea: afterschool should do more than fill time.

For many families, afterschool programs are essential. They provide safe supervision, structure, and support during critical hours of the day. But we believe afterschool can also be a space where students grow academically, develop confidence, build life skills, and feel seen and supported as whole individuals.

Our work is rooted in long-standing relationships with NYC public schools and the communities around them. We understand the realities families face, the pressures schools navigate, and the responsibility that comes with being trusted to care for children every day.

How We Think About Afterschool

At Harriman, we approach afterschool with intention.

We think about:

• how students learn best after a full school day,

• how families rely on clear communication and consistency,

• how schools need partners—not additional burdens,

• how life skills like financial literacy, decision-making, and responsibility prepare students for the future.

  
  

Our programming reflects this mindset. Academic support, social-emotional development, enrichment, and financial literacy are not separate tracks—they work together. We believe that helping students succeed means addressing the full picture of who they are and what they need.

What You’ll Find Here

This blog is designed to be useful, honest, and accessible.

Here, you’ll find:

• guidance for parents navigating afterschool and school-life balance,

• insights for principals and administrators thinking about partnerships and school culture,

• explanations of what quality afterschool looks like in practice,

• reflections on student needs, family expectations, and community impact,

• resources, checklists, and tools you can actually use.

  
  

Some posts are longer and more in-depth. Others are quick reads meant to clarify expectations or answer common questions. All of them are written with the same goal in mind: to support the people who support students.

Who This Space Is For

This blog is for:

• parents who want to understand what to expect from afterschool,

• families looking for clarity, not jargon,

• school leaders who want partners that understand their reality,

• educators and community members invested in student success,

• anyone who believes that learning does not stop at 3:00 p.m.

  
  

You do not need to be an expert to be here. You just need to care.

A Final Word

Harriman Programs 2.0 is our elevated and even more impactful version of us. Our focus is built on trust—between families and schools, between students and adults, and between communities and the programs that serve them. This blog is one small part of how we honor that trust by being transparent, thoughtful, and responsive.

We’re glad you’re here.We hope you find something useful.And we hope this space helps you feel informed, supported, and confident in the role you play in a child’s journey.

Welcome to Harriman.