Client Testimonial
Making the grade
Counseling In Schools supports the emotional and social well-being of thousands of New York City students. “The biggest financial pressure we face is waiting for the city to register contracts and approve budgets. Webster helps us bridge those gaps.”
— Lewis Bader, CFO, Counseling In Schools
Since 1986, Counseling In Schools has embedded counselors ranging from mental health professionals and youth development specialists in New York City schools, where they become an essential part of the fabric of learning and support. Currently, Counseling In Schools supports thousands of students across 94 programs and community shelters.
The cadence of The City of New York’s contract and budget approvals can be challenging when it comes to paying staff, so Counseling In Schools turned to Webster Bank for a solution for funding gaps.
“The biggest financial pressure you face in a nonprofit, in contract work with the City of New York, is waiting for the city to register their contracts and approve your budgets,” says Lew. “Generally, what will happen is the school year for us starts in July, but our budgets don’t get approved until October or November — and we’re providing services during that time. Having the funds to bridge that period, that gap, is really important. And that’s where Webster came in with Nick. It became very personal very quickly. Webster has a history of helping nonprofits and helping the community — it was one of the things that actually appealed to us.”
Webster got to know Counseling In Schools, understanding their biggest challenges and unique needs. “The biggest thing Webster provided us with was a line of credit to be able to fund our payroll every two weeks. Having an improved line of credit gives us flexibility — having that money in reserve to use on a moment’s notice is critical. Without it, I don’t think we’d be in business,” says Lew.
Today, Counseling In Schools has built a strong relationship with Webster…a relationship that, every day, makes an enormous difference in the lives of New York City students and their families. “We really see students changing their view of what school is, and a lot of times that means they’re now coming to the building much more willingly or with a different sense of purpose,” says Kevin Dahill-Fuchel, Executive Director of Counseling In Schools. “I would say if we didn’t do what we do, there are 10,000 children in New York City a year who wouldn’t be able to cope with the world every day.”
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