Many BronxWorks staff have been born and raised within the communities they now work to support. Austin Thompson, Program Assistant for the CMCC Compass After-School/Summer Camp Program, is an incredible reflection of this. Austin grew up across the street from the BronxWorks Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center (CMCC), where he attended the daycare program and then the after-school/summer program in his youth. Austin has now worked at CMCC for over seven years and his former counselor is now his supervisor. Things have truly come full circle for him, as Austin is now a staff member for the same after-school program he participated in as a child.
“My mom opened up her own daycare, she’s been doing that as long as I can remember. I’ve always been around children… so working with children here [at BronxWorks], it feels like something I was meant to do.”
Austin, sitting front row, with some of his peers at the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center playground in 2007.
Austin has always been a kind and considerate person for those in his community. He has enjoyed connecting with his neighbors throughout his life and is always willing to lend a helping hand. He was recognized for his potential by his counselor, Ms. Kim (now Program Coordinator), when he was a BronxWorks after-school participant. After he moved on to high school Austin would often still see Ms. Kim within the community, and once he was old enough to work, she recommended him to the BronxWorks Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). Through SYEP, Austin was placed with Ms. Kim to work with the summer youth program at CMCC, and he was then asked to stay and work full time.
Since then, Austin’s position has evolved to include other programs within BronxWorks. Another crucial community program Austin works with is the Community Food Pantry, held bi-weekly at CMCC. When the pandemic hit, daily operations at BronxWorks shifted drastically to address emergency needs, especially access to food. Along with other dedicated staff, Austin began working at the food pantry in Spring 2020 to continue supporting the community through the pandemic. He also took on duties at the front desk of CMCC as many in-person programs were put on pause. Today, Austin continues to work at the food pantry and is a vital part of the after-school program as a Program Assistant.
“Working at the front desk, I can tell you firsthand that emergency food is very important… A lot of families are just down right now, a lot of them need food and come in asking for that. With the cost of living going up, a lot of people aren’t able to pay for things like food, most of their money goes to rent. Pantry is definitely one of the most important services we offer at BronxWorks.”
Austin values the sense of community he has found at BronxWorks throughout his life. Through his various positions within the community center, Austin has connected with many of his neighbors and goes above and beyond to help them find the services they need. In his free time, Austin enjoys sports and hanging out with loved ones. He plays in a softball league on the weekends with his family and he often watches soccer with his grandfather.
Many BronxWorks staff have been born and raised within the communities they now work to support. Austin Thompson, Program Assistant for the CMCC Compass After-School/Summer Camp Program, is an incredible reflection of this. Austin grew up across the street from the BronxWorks Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center (CMCC), where he attended the daycare program and then the after-school/summer program in his youth. Austin has now worked at CMCC for over seven years and his former counselor is now his supervisor. Things have truly come full circle for him, as Austin is now a staff member for the same after-school program he participated in as a child.
“My mom opened up her own daycare, she’s been doing that as long as I can remember. I’ve always been around children… so working with children here [at BronxWorks], it feels like something I was meant to do.”
Austin, sitting front row, with some of his peers at the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center playground in 2007.
Austin has always been a kind and considerate person for those in his community. He has enjoyed connecting with his neighbors throughout his life and is always willing to lend a helping hand. He was recognized for his potential by his counselor, Ms. Kim (now Program Coordinator), when he was a BronxWorks after-school participant. After he moved on to high school Austin would often still see Ms. Kim within the community, and once he was old enough to work, she recommended him to the BronxWorks Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). Through SYEP, Austin was placed with Ms. Kim to work with the summer youth program at CMCC, and he was then asked to stay and work full time.
Since then, Austin’s position has evolved to include other programs within BronxWorks. Another crucial community program Austin works with is the Community Food Pantry, held bi-weekly at CMCC. When the pandemic hit, daily operations at BronxWorks shifted drastically to address emergency needs, especially access to food. Along with other dedicated staff, Austin began working at the food pantry in Spring 2020 to continue supporting the community through the pandemic. He also took on duties at the front desk of CMCC as many in-person programs were put on pause. Today, Austin continues to work at the food pantry and is a vital part of the after-school program as a Program Assistant.
“Working at the front desk, I can tell you firsthand that emergency food is very important… A lot of families are just down right now, a lot of them need food and come in asking for that. With the cost of living going up, a lot of people aren’t able to pay for things like food, most of their money goes to rent. Pantry is definitely one of the most important services we offer at BronxWorks.”
Austin values the sense of community he has found at BronxWorks throughout his life. Through his various positions within the community center, Austin has connected with many of his neighbors and goes above and beyond to help them find the services they need. In his free time, Austin enjoys sports and hanging out with loved ones. He plays in a softball league on the weekends with his family and he often watches soccer with his grandfather.
