StreetSquash Hires New Executive Director

StreetSquash is excited to announce that Jen Wohl has been named its new Executive Director. Ms. Wohl takes the leadership over from George Polsky, who is leaving the organization after having founded StreetSquash in 1999 and served as Executive Director for 24 years. 

"I am thrilled to continue the crucial work of StreetSquash. As we live in unprecedented times and navigate through historic challenges, the mission of the organization becomes even more critical. I hope to bring to StreetSquash my lived experiences as a lifelong New Yorker, public servant, and mother to cultivate enrichment, academic and athletic experiences that change the life trajectories of Harlem’s young people so that they can realize their full potential." - Jen Wohl

“I am so happy that we found Jen. Her resume speaks for itself; she has done amazing work over her career with kids, schools and families and is clearly passionate about the mission of StreetSquash. I exit with great comfort knowing Jen is at the helm." - George Polsky

David Eun and Eric Muller, Co- Chairs of the StreetSquash Board of Directors added:

“After a long and thoughtful search process developed with input from key organizational partners ranging from current students, staff, caregivers, alumni, schools, the Board and George himself, we are thrilled to welcome Jen. Her background in working with different constituency groups, creating and implementing programs for youth, fundraising, and managing operations in programs devoted to students will serve her well at StreetSquash. Most notable is her focus on the students. Jen’s demonstrated commitment to children and families, through her life’s work, was truly impressive and stood out.“

Jen Wohl has more than 20 years of nonprofit expertise and leadership and has focused exclusively on creating access and opportunity for the most underserved children. At the New York Junior Tennis League, she was the Chief Education Officer, overseeing after-school programs at over 30 schools across NYC. Prior to joining NYJTL, she was Chief Operating Officer at Youth Communication and the Director of Policy and Quality Improvement at CUNY’s Early Childhood Professional Development Institute.

She also served as the Executive Director of the Adams Street Foundation, which provides enrichment and college and career services to low-income, at-risk high school students, and was the Director of the Children, Youth and Families Division at the Insight Center for Community Economic Development. Jen has extensive foster care experience as a Supervising Attorney for New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services, and as the Director of Quality Improvement at the Children’s Aid Society’s Foster Care and Adoption Unit. She received a B.A. with Honors from Clark University and a J.D. from St. John’s University’s School of Law.

Founded in September 1999, StreetSquash is a New York City-based non-profit community youth enrichment program whose mission is to provide consistent, long-term, and reliable support to the children, families, and schools in Harlem. By exposing students to a broad range of experiences and by maintaining the highest standards, StreetSquash helps all participants realize their academic, athletic, and personal potential. Combining academic tutoring, squash instruction, community service, college preparation, leadership development, and mentoring for young people ages 11-24, StreetSquash began as an after-school program with 24 middle school students and 2 staff members has expanded to serve 400 participants from 6th grade through college graduation and entry into the workforce.

www.streetsquash.org