Welcome to the Association to Benefit Children's uPlej page.

ABC believes that childhood is a treasure and a right. Children are our most valuable asset, yet they are also our poorest, most vulnerable minority, defenseless in the face of abuse, neglect, homelessness and poverty. More than one quarter of New York City children live in poverty, and in East Harlem, that number increases to nearly one half. The number of homeless children continues to rise: now, over 15,000 children sleep in shelters every night. Hunger is steadily increasing. More than 415,000 city children go hungry daily because they live in households in which parents must regularly choose between paying the rent and buying food. Every day, almost 160 New York City children are reported victims of child abuse or neglect, and every 6 days, a young person under 20 is murdered. Each and every day, hunger, homelessness, physical and emotional abuse, abandonment, neglect, violence, substance abuse, substandard housing, failing schools and disease endanger children’s welfare and undermine their future.

The Association to Benefit Children (ABC) was created to amplify the cries of defenseless children by combating the debilitating effects of poverty and championing the right of every child to a joyful, nurturing childhood. ABC’s model programs are easily replicable, compassionate, comprehensive, cost-effective and sustainable. Through them and through widespread advocacy efforts to enact far-reaching and lasting solutions, ABC has brought relief, tenderness, happiness and hope to disadvantaged children in New York City and throughout the country.