Position: Social Worker / CBO Program Director
School: Brooklyn HS for Leadership & Community Service
School District: New York City Department of Education #13
City, State: Brooklyn, NY
Music that Describes Stephen
Stephen Nembhard was nominated by his principal, Georgia Serves.
Mr. Nembhard advocates for all students, since all students have experienced trauma. He greets students for an hour each morning and hands out snacks throughout the day. He is consistent and makes all decisions based on serving students first.
Mr. Nembhard gives up his lunch breaks to listen to students' needs. He is always calm and fair. He puts his life on the line during safety situations to protect students.
Mr. Nembhard makes sure students have coats,eyeglasses, housing, advocates, resources, jobs, internships, college access, mentoring, etc. He developed a wellness center and pantry for his students. He provides art therapy via a Pratt Institute collaboration in the wellness center. Mr. Nembhard is also advocating for a washing machine for homeless students to wash their clothes.
Mr. Nembhard is one of the pioneers of the restorative justice work in his school the last two years. He supports his school's student film production company, 212 Productions, as well as the robotics and coding classes. He supports College and Career Access for All.
"It is an honor to have him as a CBO Partner," said Serves.