Pleasantville resident celebrates 20 years as executive director of Westchester Children's Association

Pleasantville resident, Cora Greenberg, celebrates her 20th anniversary leading the Westchester Children’s Association (WCA) as its executive director. She joined the organization on October 24, 1994.

Greenberg has taken WCA from a staff of two with an annual budget of $120,000, to a staff of eight with an annual budget of $750,000 in 2014. In that time WCA has grown in influence and impact; its annual advocacy breakfast and child advocacy lecture have become a staple event for child advocates around the county; child care funding was increased by more than two million dollars through its Campaign for Kids; and it has drawn the attention of Hillary Clinton and Marian Wright Edelman as speakers. In the age of instant and constant information, its data blog, “Children by the Numbers” has become the go-to resource for many advocates and policy makers.

In reviewing her tenure at WCA, Greenberg said, “It has been a true privilege to work with amazing staff, board and community partners. I’m proud that together we’ve made real improvements in the lives of children and youth. In my career I’ve seen that, while the details change, the basic needs of our kids remain the same: nutritious food, safe housing and quality healthcare, and a good education that leads to productive adults and informed citizens. I hope that one day in WCA’s second century every child will be able to take these things for granted.”

“Westchester Children’s Association is very fortunate to have Cora at the helm,” said Catherine Draper, President of WCA’s Board of Directors. “The initiatives she and her staff have developed over the years have improved the lives of thousands of children, and we are now poised to launch an action agenda that will enable us to be even more effective in the future.”

In addition to celebrating the 20th anniversary of its executive director, Westchester Children’s Association is also celebrating its centennial. Founded by local visionaries in 1914, a time when it was normal for children as young as five to work from sunup to sundown, Westchester Children’s Association is one of the oldest children’s advocacy organizations in the United States,

On Thursday, November 13, 2014, Westchester Children’s Association will celebrate its centennial at its annual benefit dinner at the Tappan Hill Mansion in Tarrytown. The event will honor the late Patricia Lanza’s legacy of philanthropy and the 20 years of leadership under Cora Greenberg. For tickets and to purchase sponsorships, contact Betsy Steward at 914-946-7676 ext. 303 or send an email to bsteward@wca4kids.org.

For more information about Westchester Children’s Association visit www.wca4kids.org