St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf named NYC Imagine Awards finalist

St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf has been selected as a finalist in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility category of the 6th Annual NYC Imagine Awards. The Brooklyn school is one of four DEIA finalists and will be in the running for a $5,000 prize at the Oct. 27 ceremony in New York City.

Why it matters: - St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf is being recognized for work that expands educational access and community support for Deaf, DeafBlind and Deaf Disabled children and families. - The finalist nod spotlights a Brooklyn nonprofit that has served New York City families for more than 65 years.

What happened: - St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf was named a finalist in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility category of the 6th Annual NYC Imagine Awards. - Nearly 200 nonprofit organizations applied across six categories: Innovation, Leadership Excellence, Rising Star, Social Impact, Arts & Culture and DEIA. - SFDS is one of four finalists selected in the DEIA category. - Winners will be announced live on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at Guastavino’s in New York City. - Each category winner will receive a $5,000 award.

The details: - SFDS serves children throughout New York City in a language-rich educational environment tailored to each student’s communication, learning and developmental needs. - The school says its work extends beyond the classroom through family programs and initiatives that strengthen connection, expand access to resources and help children thrive. - Dr. Jodi L. Falk, executive director of St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf, called the finalist recognition an honor and credited educators, staff, families, supporters and students. - Ken Cerini, founder of the NYC Imagine Awards and managing partner of Cerini & Associates, LLP, said the finalists are “effective, innovative, and impactful” and are making a difference. - SFDS is based in Brooklyn, NY, and provides a multimodal-multilingual, inclusive and supportive educational environment for Deaf, DeafBlind and Deaf Disabled students. - The school says personalized learning, advocacy and community connection are central to its approach. - More information is available in the school’s announcement and the NYC Imagine Awards site.

Between the lines: - The DEIA category highlights organizations focused on access and inclusion, making SFDS a natural fit for the award field. - The finalist pool suggests the competition is broad, which can raise the profile of smaller nonprofits that often operate outside the public spotlight. - For SFDS, the recognition may help reinforce trust with families and donors while underscoring the school’s long-standing role in specialized education.

What's next: - Finalists will compete for the category prize when the awards are presented Oct. 27 in New York City. - SFDS will continue its educational and family-support programs while the awards process moves toward the live announcement.

The bottom line: - St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf is getting citywide recognition for a long-running model built around access, inclusion and individualized support.