City Year

Hello! My name is Francillia Samuel, the new City Year Community School Director here at Emma Lazarus! As a first generation Afro-Caribbean American, I was born and raised in Brooklyn. I am the eldest of three and grew up in Flatbush; where I learned to appreciate the quote “it takes a village to raise a child”. Throughout my academic career, I have traveled to many countries, met many amazing people, but there is nothing like New York. I have spent 20 years working with youth and families, because my heart belongs to the communities within which I  dwelled and later served.

This year, Emma Lazarus has partnered with City Year, to become a Community School. In following the community school model, I will work closely with Emma Lazarus Leadership to organize resources and cultivate a space where “academics, health, youth development and family engagement are integrated into the fabric of our school.” We accomplish these goals through implementation of in-house academic support, after school programming, as well as family and community engagement pieces.  City Year firmly believes in schools nurturing the success and growth of the whole child. Our school is rich with diverse families and cultures, embedded in community that deserves all the chances to thrive. I look forward to you joining us, in making this year YOUR year of success….in all ways possible.

 Name:  Nina Prakash

Hometown:  Mclean, VA

Education:  Bachelor’s Degree in neuroscience from Dartmouth College

Why I Serve:  There once was a beach where starfish were being washed ashore, left exposed to the sun’s harmful rays. A little girl ran along the shore, picking up the starfish one by one and throwing them back into the water. An old man said, “little girl, there are thousands of starfish. You’ll never make a real difference.” The girl replied, “well, I made a difference to that one, and that one, and that one” as she threw them in one by one.

I serve because I want to have a lasting impact that will help close the opportunity gap, one student at a time. Through encouragement and support, I hope to give students the ability to believe in themselves and follow their dreams. My name is Nina Prakash from Mclean, VA and I proudly serve as the Team Leader for the Emma Lazarus Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY.

Career Goal: Doctor 

Favorite Quote:  You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take

Name: Evelisse Torres

Hometown: Ridgewood

Education: Bachelor's degree in psychology from Hunter College.

Why I Serve: I serve because I strive to be the person I needed when I was growing up — the kind of person who shows up, no matter what. That means supporting students, helping them grow, and making sure they know that someone believes in them and is willing to stand by them through it all. My name is Evelisse, I am from Brooklyn, NY, and I proudly serve as an AmeriCorps member at the Emma Lazarus elementary school in the diamond zone.

Career Goal: pursue further education  

Favorite Quote: “Things get broken, and sometimes they get repaired, and in most cases, you realize that no matter what gets damaged, life rearranges itself to compensate for your loss, sometimes wonderfully”

Name: Camille LaBossier

Hometown: Red Hook, NY

Education: Bachelor of Science in Psychology from George Washington University

Why I serve: I serve because all children deserve access to compassionate mentors that view the child as whole and capable. I serve to empower children to find their own voice. I serve because young people are the future of positive change in the world and they need mentors to show them that change is possible. My name is Camille LaBossier from Red Hook, NY, and I proudly serve as an AmeriCorps member at Emma Lazarus PS268 in East Flatbush.

Career goal: Public Health Policy

Quote: “I want to be improbable beautiful and afraid of nothing, as though I had wings.” Mary Oliver

Name: Alyssa Rodriguez

Hometown:  East New York

Education: BFA in Illustration & Animation

Why I Serve: I serve to inspire children to pursue their passions regardless of individuals who try to stop their pursuit. I serve because of the desire to push individual to strive for the stars as I wish someone did for me. But my true goal is to make a memorable impact, so that students can confidently say they had someone who cared. My name is Alyssa Rodriguez from Brooklyn NY, and I proudly serve as an AmeriCorps member at PS 268 Emma Laz in Brooklyn, NY in the Diamond zone.

Career Goal: Animator/art teacher

Favorite Quote: "All truly strong people are kind"

Name: Alexis McNair

Hometown: Maplewood, NJ

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Art History and Studio Art from Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Why I Serve: I serve because I believe in the power of putting children first to help them achieve their goals and be successful in school and in life. I serve because I believe that fostering a sense of self-belief and confidence in students is as important as academic growth. I serve because every child deserves quality academic and social-emotional support. My name is Alexis McNair from New Jersey and I proudly serve as an AmeriCorps member at the Emma Lazarus School.

Career Goal: I’m interested in working in an art related industry and potentially being an art therapist one day.

Favorite Quote: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” -Norman Vincent Peale

Name: Deborah Derilus

Hometown: Brooklyn

Education: Bachelors in sociology and security management from John Jay College

Why I Serve: I serve because I believe in participating in

the betterment of our community and fostering a safe

environment for youth to learn and grow. As someone who

grew up in a country with no free education, it is important

that the public school system thrives. My name is Deborah

Derilus, I’m from Port-au-Prince, and I proudly serve as an

AmeriCorps member at Emma Lazarus.

Career Goal: EMT

Favorite Quote: “Don't try to lessen yourself for the world;

let the world catch up to you.” -Beyoncé