Nonprofit providing a second home for at-risk kids goes virtual to keep up with students

Cheyenne Benjamin is a ninth grader from East New York who has been working with Publicolor for the past three years. She says it has made her a better person.

News 12 Staff

Apr 4, 2020, 5:24 PM

Updated 1,489 days ago

Share:

An organization that helps at-risk students succeed in school is continuing its working in spite of the coronavirus pandemic.
Cheyenne Benjamin is a ninth grader from East New York who has been working with Publicolor for the past three years. She says it has made her a better person.
"I was like a really standoffish kid, like if somebody said something that I didn't like I'd just get really upset," says Benjamin. "And then i don't know, it changed me as a person and it helped me mature."
The group's Manhattan headquarters provides what she describes as a positive environment where she is mentored, learning valuable life skills and getting help from tutors with her education.
Now that everyone is self-isolating, she misses it.
"The requirement to go to the office is two times a week," says Benjamin. "But I went more. If I wasn't at practice or something I would go to the office. It was a really good environment there."
The organization now has staff and tutors reaching out to students virtually, making food dropoffs and making sure students get their stipends to help pay for necessary items.
Natasha Seng is one of Publicolor's directors -- she says it's now more important than ever for them to stay connected with students.
"They saw us as their second home, and now all of that has been uprooted," says Seng. "They're just in their home environments, some of them may be toxic, some of them live with seven to 10 family members in a one-bedroom apartment, so it's really, really trying for them."
There are about 250 students who are part of Publicolor in total.
 


More from News 12
3:04
Crowds again gathers at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

Crowds again gathers at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

2:13
Cooldown with sun for Friday; chances for wet weather for part of weekend

Cooldown with sun for Friday; chances for wet weather for part of weekend

2:27
Stony Brook students weigh in on campus protest

Stony Brook students weigh in on campus protest

0:38
Students take part in 'Shark Tank' style competition at Wyandanch Memorial HS

Students take part in 'Shark Tank' style competition at Wyandanch Memorial HS

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

0:22
Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

0:23
3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:54
Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

0:25
Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

1:37
Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments