See some of our recent activism and join us to get involved in the future.

Welcome back to The Brewing Wellness Podcast, brought to you by the UFT's Member Assistance Program. We’re kicking off Season 7 with a powerful reminder: You don’t have to navigate life’s challenges alone. 

This episode is all about reintroducing MAP — what it is, why it exists and how it can support you as an educator and as a whole person. From counseling and support groups to workshops and wellness resources, we’re sharing the many ways MAP is here to walk alongside you.

Roughly 1,500 UFT members raised more than $198,000 for breast cancer research and patient services in this year’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks. On two Sundays in October – Oct. 19 and Oct. 26 – members walked in all five boroughs and on Long Island to raise awareness and needed funds.

More than 100 parents, caretakers, educators and community members gathered at the UFT’s Brooklyn borough office on Oct. 25 for the UFT Brooklyn parent committee’s annual conference. This year’s conference theme was “Organize and Activate,” and attendees took in workshops on school safety, political action, special education and PTA organizing.

More than 100 parents and community members gathered at UFT headquarters on Oct. 25 for the UFT’s annual Manhattan parent conference. Attendees learned about first aid and emergency preparedness, trained to become IEP (Individualized Education Program) parent members and spread the word about the rights of immigrant students and their families.

UFT members from all five boroughs of New York City wore pink on Oct. 15, 2025, to raise awareness about breast cancer.

UFT organizers of this year’s event treated 140 Bronx families to a KidZone & Community Resource Fair at the Bronx borough office. The event featured educational seminars and helpful information for parents from UFT’s Dial-A-Teacher homework helpline, the BRAVE anti-bullying initiative and partners including the Red Cross.  There also was plenty of fun — face-painting and giveaways  — for the kids.

As students return to their classrooms, many carry the weight of fresh or long-held grief. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, we are joined by Cara Belvin, founder of Empower, a nonprofit supporting children and young adults who have lost a parent. Belvin, who lost her mother at a young age, explores how loss affects young people’s academic and emotional well-being and how educators can respond with compassion. Learn the small yet powerful ways teachers and staff can help students feel seen, supported and less alone.