MCU Foundation Partners With Forestdale To Provide Essential School Supplies

 The Foundation presented a check for $55,000 to be used to purchase laptops, educational supplies and backpacks to help equip students from Pre-K through college with the resources they need for the school year.

NEW YORK (August 27, 2026) — The MCU Foundation, the charitable arm of Municipal Credit Union, today announced a grant to Forestdale, a Queens-based nonprofit serving children in foster care across New York City. The grant supports Forestdale’s annual Back-to-School Bash, providing young people with the technology and school supplies they need for the new school year.

Forestdale will use the $55,000 in funding to provide laptops to college-bound students and distribute educational supplies and backpacks to children and teens across New York City. The supplies will help students from Pre-K through college start the school year prepared to learn, pursue their goals and take the next step in their education.

“When young people have the resources they need, they can focus on learning and building their futures,” said George Chacon, President and Executive Director of the MCU Foundation. “These are real expenses for families, and helping cover them can make a meaningful difference. We’re proud to work with Forestdale to help more young people start the school year prepared.”

“It’s important to us to show up for families at the moments that matter,” said Kyle Markland, CEO of Municipal Credit Union. “By partnering with trusted organizations like Forestdale, we can help New Yorkers access resources that make a real difference in their daily lives. It’s part of our broader commitment to strengthening communities across New York City and helping families build more secure futures.”

“Forestdale’s annual Back-to-School Bash is more than a celebration of a new school year. It is an investment in the academic success and future of the children and families we serve,” said Amy Wilkerson, Chief Program Officer at Forestdale. “We ensure students can start the school year prepared and confident, creating a strong foundation for learning. For many families, these costs can be a significant burden.”

For more than 170 years, Forestdale has served children and families through programs that reflect evolving best practices in child development. Its mission is to ensure every child has a safe, nurturing family and the resources to thrive, while its family support programs help break cycles of poverty.

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About The MCU Foundation

Established in 2023, the MCU Foundation was created by the Municipal Credit Union’s (MCU) executive leadership with the mission of helping New Yorkers build generational wealth and eliminate poverty in the Five Boroughs. It furthers this mission by increasing access to basic necessities, education, and homeownership to uplift people in our community. For more information about the MCU Foundation and its programs, please visit mcufoundation.nymcu.org.

About Forestdale

Forestdale’s mission is to ensure every child has a safe, nurturing family and the resources to thrive. For more than 170 years, Forestdale has remained at the forefront of family and children’s services, evolving with best practices in child development while providing family-support programs that break cycles of poverty.