Priorities

Dear Usdan Community,

Though I cry easily, I surprised even myself when I shed tears on Wednesday after learning that NYC public schools were reverting to all remote learning. I cried because I feel children are being prioritized far below other members of our society, and that choice hurts us all.

I want to take this moment to reassure you that providing happiness and creativity to youth is the purpose of Usdan. The point of investing in, and sacrificing for, children’s joy and artistry is not just to help children feel good now, it is to help our whole society feel good in the future. The more pleasure our children experience growing up, and the more creativity they develop, the better a very uncertain future will be for all of us.

Youth creativity should be one of the highest priorities of our society.

I feel grateful to be part of such a vast, regional community of kindred spirits. Let’s all be certain to advocate for the creativity and happiness of our children at every turn.

Lauren Brandt Schloss, Executive Director