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RILEY'S WAY COUNCILS Riley’s Way Councils convene New York City-based public and private high schools who work to make a meaningful difference through social impact projects and grow together in community as friends and kind leaders. |
What We Do
Through the lens of empathy, kindness, and inclusivity, young leaders create social justice projects based on issues significant to them. By partnering with community-based organizations to design and implement a service or activism project, Council members drive positive change in their schools and communities. Councils have tackled and led projects focused on food insecurity, period poverty, education inequality, mental health, environmental justice, and reproductive rights.
How We Do It:
Through Riley’s Way Councils, teens practice leading with kindness and building bridges across barriers in their communities. A single Council comprises about twenty students from two partnered schools – one public and one private – who meet regularly in-person and virtually, to learn, grow, and work together as community changemakers. A Riley’s Way team member and a faculty member from each school support the Council.
Through Riley’s Way Councils, changemakers:
‣ Build connections across and within their schools and meet other like-minded leaders they may not have met otherwise. Riley’s Way Councils provide students with opportunities to build relationships, challenge assumptions, and gain a deeper understanding of different identities and experiences.
‣ Build and practice leadership skills that emphasize kindness, empathy, and inclusive community.
‣ Learn about and make a difference in their communities.
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OUR IMPACT “The Council helped me grow as a leader by showing me that leadership means collaborating with others and putting in the work to accomplish your goal. This year, the Council helped me grow as a friend, a leader, and a person.” “I’m grateful for Riley’s Way because it’s taught me the importance of building strong connections with others within our community, especially when we share the same interests. One thing that makes me proud of being a part of Riley’s Way is the way we treat each other and other people. To me, kindness is one of the most important factors of our community.” “Riley’s Way is a community for students who are motivated by the idea of a kinder, more inclusive future. It is a place for peer-to-peer education, connection making, inspiration, and discovery.” |
Current Councils
• The Young Women’s Leadership School in East Harlem + The Nightingale-Bamford School
• The Young Women’s Leadership School of the Bronx + The Horace Mann School
• The Young Women’s Leadership School in Astoria + The Hewitt School
Learn About Some of the Councils' Work
Learn About Some of the Councils' Work
Three Projects in One Year! 2022
The Nightingale and East Harlem Council planned three inspiring social justice projects in just one year! While continuing to grow their connection with Circles of Support, they also tackled issues of period poverty, food insecurity, and access to physical education equipment.
“The Council helped me grow as a leader by showing me that leadership means collaborating with others and putting in the work to accomplish your goal. This year, the Council helped me grow as a friend, a leader, and a person.” – Lexi
Soumaou’s Story: A Council Year in Review 2022
“Our mental health final project was my favorite activity this year. Listening to other Council members’ thoughts and ideas on mental health and how to inform others about it was such an eye opener for me. The best part about the final project was presenting on mental health resources to the middle school students at TYWLS.” – Soumaou
Bringing Awareness to the Digital Divide 2022
“The Riley’s Way TYWLS Astoria and Hewitt School Council has a way of bringing together life experiences, bright-minded, passionate members, and overall opportunities to make a difference. This topic was an eye-opener to many members of how fortunate we were to be able to come together digitally as we scoped out how we would make our impact.” – Phoebe Grace, Tiara, and Nickole
Read Alliance Youth Summit 2022
“I had an amazing time at the READ Alliance Youth Summit! I talked to so many young people who were interested in our programs and related to Riley’s Way’s mission. Some were eager to join the Call For Kindness and the upcoming Retreat! It makes me excited to see what the future holds — both for Riley’s Way and the world!” – Victoria
All-Council Bonding 2021
“Did I mention, the entire event was planned by the hard work of our Council members? The group brought their creativity, passion, and dedication but most importantly fostered kind collaboration along the way to execute a first of many special partnership events between our Councils and Chapter. If you were to ask me about my favorite part of the night, I honestly would not be able to give you just a single highlight. Everything felt so uniquely empowering and exciting. It definitely was the perfect way to spend my Wednesday night!” – Tiara
Raising Young Voices to the Inequality of Education 2021
“Riley’s Way instills three main values that are constantly shared and used: kindness, empathy, and leadership. In order to create a positive and effective future, we need to have kindness and empathy in order to be impactful leaders. With these in mind, we take on a social issue through the lens of empathy and kindness by reaching out to those who may have the same passions for educational justice. Sharing young voices and experiences allow an issue to be recognized and related to by fellow students.” – Phoebe Grace
Lunch and Learn 2020
“The Bronx Council, made up of students from Horace Mann School and The Young Women’s Leadership School of the Bronx, planned a virtual Lunch and Learn in collaboration with members of the organization GEMS, a nonprofit that works with survivors of human trafficking. Beforehand, we had discussions with leaders of GEMS about the importance and process of preventing trafficking in New York City. We decided that organizing a movie screening with GEMS would be a great way to connect with them.” – Tess
Buddy Reading Program 2020
Our teens will be paired with Kindergarten students from the Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem, a long-time Riley’s Way partner. They will spend 30 minutes each week, for at least 4 weeks. Paired students will meet virtually on Zoom to read together.
“The importance of reading to children cannot be understated, because reading aloud to children stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world around them by building background knowledge and expanding their listening and speaking vocabularies.”
-Michelle Haynes, Principal of Sisulu-Walker Charter School
Family Matters Dinner 2019
On Tuesday, May 21st, 2019 our Nightingale-Bamford School and TYWLS of East Harlem’s Riley’s Way Council continued our relationship with Talk2Me and Circles of Support and our second dinner for the women impacted by incarceration and their families. Guests and Council members remembered one another from last year and resumed their conversations about the impact of incarceration on the lives of the women and their families.
Click here, here and here to read more about the event from our students.
Teen-to-Teen Letter Writing Event 2019
On May 2nd, 2019, the Hewitt and TYWLS Astoria Riley’s Way Council hosted a letter writing event with the grassroots organization Don’t Separate Families. The 80 attendees wrote over 100 letters to the 2,000 teens being held at the Homestead Detention Center in Florida.
Council Bonding 2019
Both of our Councils came together over a weekend in May to bond through karaoke, cupcake decorating, and arcade games at Dave & Busters. Through these meaningful connections, our Councils are able to do deep, important work together.
Hewitt Family Picnic 2018
The Hewitt and TYWLS Astoria Council supported the Hewitt Family Picnic on September 29, 2018, where they helped create a Kindness Mural with the elementary school students!
Riley’s Way Council 2018 Retreat
On September 22, 2018 the Riley’s Way Councils attended our first retreat, led by the dynamic Erin Cohn from Leadership+Design. We engaged in team building exercises, explored our strengths (“Superpowers”), developed friendships, and reflected. By developing a strong foundation within each council, we are ready to spread kindness and empathy together, as a team.
On May 29, 2018, The Nightigale-Bamford and TYWLS East Harlem Council hosted a dinner for the women of Circles of Support, Raising My Voice, and Talk2Me. The Council organized every detail of the night, created an elegant evening from start to finish, gave speeches, personal gift bags, and led thoughtful icebreakers. They learned what it was like to be impacted by incarceration and listened to the many personal stories of strength, perseverance, and hope.
On March 3, 2018, the Hewitt and TYWLS Astoria Council distributed 120 Riley’s Way care packages, meals, and cupcakes to 34 seniors with big smiles on their faces! They enjoyed the conversations with each other and the seniors, spreading kindness and friendship.
Three Projects in One Year! 2022
The Nightingale and East Harlem Council planned three inspiring social justice projects in just one year! While continuing to grow their connection with Circles of Support, they also tackled issues of period poverty, food insecurity, and access to physical education equipment.
“The Council helped me grow as a leader by showing me that leadership means collaborating with others and putting in the work to accomplish your goal. This year, the Council helped me grow as a friend, a leader, and a person.” – Lexi
Soumaou’s Story: A Council Year in Review 2022
“Our mental health final project was my favorite activity this year. Listening to other Council members’ thoughts and ideas on mental health and how to inform others about it was such an eye opener for me. The best part about the final project was presenting on mental health resources to the middle school students at TYWLS.” – Soumaou
Bringing Awareness to the Digital Divide 2022
“The Riley’s Way TYWLS Astoria and Hewitt School Council has a way of bringing together life experiences, bright-minded, passionate members, and overall opportunities to make a difference. This topic was an eye-opener to many members of how fortunate we were to be able to come together digitally as we scoped out how we would make our impact.” – Phoebe Grace, Tiara, and Nickole
Read Alliance Youth Summit 2022
“I had an amazing time at the READ Alliance Youth Summit! I talked to so many young people who were interested in our programs and related to Riley’s Way’s mission. Some were eager to join the Call For Kindness and the upcoming Retreat! It makes me excited to see what the future holds — both for Riley’s Way and the world!” – Victoria
All-Council Bonding 2021
“Did I mention, the entire event was planned by the hard work of our Council members? The group brought their creativity, passion, and dedication but most importantly fostered kind collaboration along the way to execute a first of many special partnership events between our Councils and Chapter. If you were to ask me about my favorite part of the night, I honestly would not be able to give you just a single highlight. Everything felt so uniquely empowering and exciting. It definitely was the perfect way to spend my Wednesday night!” – Tiara
Raising Young Voices to the Inequality of Education 2021
“Riley’s Way instills three main values that are constantly shared and used: kindness, empathy, and leadership. In order to create a positive and effective future, we need to have kindness and empathy in order to be impactful leaders. With these in mind, we take on a social issue through the lens of empathy and kindness by reaching out to those who may have the same passions for educational justice. Sharing young voices and experiences allow an issue to be recognized and related to by fellow students.” – Phoebe Grace
Lunch and Learn 2020
“The Bronx Council, made up of students from Horace Mann School and The Young Women’s Leadership School of the Bronx, planned a virtual Lunch and Learn in collaboration with members of the organization GEMS, a nonprofit that works with survivors of human trafficking. Beforehand, we had discussions with leaders of GEMS about the importance and process of preventing trafficking in New York City. We decided that organizing a movie screening with GEMS would be a great way to connect with them.” – Tess
Buddy Reading Program 2020
Our teens will be paired with Kindergarten students from the Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem, a long-time Riley’s Way partner. They will spend 30 minutes each week, for at least 4 weeks. Paired students will meet virtually on Zoom to read together.
“The importance of reading to children cannot be understated, because reading aloud to children stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world around them by building background knowledge and expanding their listening and speaking vocabularies.”
-Michelle Haynes, Principal of Sisulu-Walker Charter School
Family Matters Dinner 2019
On Tuesday, May 21st, 2019 our Nightingale-Bamford School and TYWLS of East Harlem’s Riley’s Way Council continued our relationship with Talk2Me and Circles of Support and our second dinner for the women impacted by incarceration and their families. Guests and Council members remembered one another from last year and resumed their conversations about the impact of incarceration on the lives of the women and their families.
Click here, here and here to read more about the event from our students.
Teen-to-Teen Letter Writing Event 2019
On May 2nd, 2019, the Hewitt and TYWLS Astoria Riley’s Way Council hosted a letter writing event with the grassroots organization Don’t Separate Families. The 80 attendees wrote over 100 letters to the 2,000 teens being held at the Homestead Detention Center in Florida.
Council Bonding 2019
Both of our Councils came together over a weekend in May to bond through karaoke, cupcake decorating, and arcade games at Dave & Busters. Through these meaningful connections, our Councils are able to do deep, important work together.
Hewitt Family Picnic 2018
The Hewitt and TYWLS Astoria Council supported the Hewitt Family Picnic on September 29, 2018, where they helped create a Kindness Mural with the elementary school students!
Riley’s Way Council 2018 Retreat
On September 22, 2018 the Riley’s Way Councils attended our first retreat, led by the dynamic Erin Cohn from Leadership+Design. We engaged in team building exercises, explored our strengths (“Superpowers”), developed friendships, and reflected. By developing a strong foundation within each council, we are ready to spread kindness and empathy together, as a team.
On May 29, 2018, The Nightigale-Bamford and TYWLS East Harlem Council hosted a dinner for the women of Circles of Support, Raising My Voice, and Talk2Me. The Council organized every detail of the night, created an elegant evening from start to finish, gave speeches, personal gift bags, and led thoughtful icebreakers. They learned what it was like to be impacted by incarceration and listened to the many personal stories of strength, perseverance, and hope.
On March 3, 2018, the Hewitt and TYWLS Astoria Council distributed 120 Riley’s Way care packages, meals, and cupcakes to 34 seniors with big smiles on their faces! They enjoyed the conversations with each other and the seniors, spreading kindness and friendship.
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Riley's Way Chapters Riley’s Way Chapters bring together a group of young changemakers within one high school, college or community group, creating opportunities for them to practice and model leading with empathy and kindness, and make a difference on a social justice issue that matters to them. This is a student-led model with school faculty and Riley’s Way staff support, and opportunities to connect with a community of other chapter leaders. By building a hands-on service or advocacy-based project with a community-based organization, Chapter members practice leading with empathy, build meaningful connections, create inclusive communities, and thrive as effective leaders. Interested in starting a Riley’s Way Chapter at your high school or college campus? Email Lauren Shenkman at lshenkman@rileysandler.org for more information. Learn about the Chapters’ work: Reflections on the first Riley’s Way Chapter! |
