UFT members’ book drive at Bronx Park MS ensures both in-school and remote students have books to read during the pandemic. 

Bullying has no place in any child’s education. That was the inspiration behind the UFT’s creation in 2011 of the Building Respect, Acceptance and Voice through Education, or BRAVE, program to provide tools, knowledge and support in confronting bullying.

The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks were canceled this year because of COVID-19, but UFT members mobilized in spite of that to raise awareness of the disease and funds to fight it.

What’s cooking in quarantine? Social studies teacher and UFT Chapter Leader Johanna Josaphat streams live lessons for educators and students at the Urban Assembly Unison School in Brooklyn from her kitchen every Friday on Google Hangouts.

The PS 19 school community was hit hard by illness, layoffs and food insecurity. Luckily, the Corona elementary school is part of the UFT’s United Community Schools initiative. “Everybody came together in a time of need,” said teacher Christina Tholl.

Nelson Figueroa Jr. was 5 feet, 10 inches and just 125 pounds when he played baseball at Lincoln HS in Brooklyn but, buoyed by the leadership skills and life lessons instilled in him by his teachers and coaches, he impressed enough people to pitch in college and eventually be signed by his favorite team, his hometown New York Mets.