Author Archives: tdintrone

“Lights on Afterschool” Shows Off Students’ Work

November 14, 2014 | Leave a reply

When students geared up for classes after the summer break, afterschool programs launched too, enriching the after-school hours with learning and fun. Across the country, afterschool programs participated in Lights on Afterschool events where they highlighted their programs and how they are helping kids to learn and grow.

At the PS 56 COMPASS program, our programs paired the event with parent orientation and set up a gallery of the STEM-themed projects students worked on. Parents guessed scents and objects at a “Five Senses” display, and looked at clay models of dinosaurs and fossils at another station. Kindergarten students made a color wheel, Continue reading →

Expanding Our Reach

November 13, 2014 | Leave a reply

From the western edge of Queens, the Manhattan skyline looks close enough to touch. But Manhattan’s prosperity has not reached across the river, where neighborhoods have faced poverty for generations.

Zone 126, a nonprofit that works with families here to end poverty, wanted to provide expert, experienced counseling for the area’s schoolchildren. So they enlisted The Child Center, which placed its licensed clinical social workers in schools in Astoria and Long Island City.

Continue reading →

Ready to Meet the World

November 10, 2014 | Leave a reply

On a recent afternoon in Queens, a roomful of high school students were practicing their handshakes. Some gazed shyly at the floor. Others stepped forward eagerly.

It was the weekly meeting of JobNet Career Club, a new job counseling program at The Child Center, and employment specialist Ira Davison was going over basic interview skills. “Eye contact!” he encouraged.

Continue reading →

Partnering for Community Health, Education and Fun

November 6, 2014 | Leave a reply

Through the month of November, The Child Center of NY will be partnering with Advantage Care Physicians on a series of community events that combine health, education, games, prizes and fun for the whole family.

On November 4, we partnered with Advantage Care Physicians on a Family Game Night, held at Basie Beacon MS 72 in Jamaica, Queens. Strategically timed to happen on Election Night, when the school doubles as a polling place, it was a time for people to vote and then enjoy food, games and health screenings.

Sheila Tomlin, program director, said voters joined the fun when they heard the music and festivities. Thanks to Advantage Care Physicians, they were able to have their blood pressure, vitals, vision and BMI checked. The Beacon’s new marching band put on a musical show and The Child Center raffled off donated gift cards. Over 100 people came and some asked if it would become an annual event.

On November 5, we partnered with Advantage Care Physicians for the first of a series of maternal and child health workshops. Registered Nurse Frances Brenner, nurse practitioner with The Child Center’s Head Start programs, led 16 mothers, one dad and four new babies in education about preconception care and prenatal care.

Continue reading →

A Small World After All

November 6, 2014 | Leave a reply

It's a Small World After All “We’ll build a better world—for all the little boys and girls,” sang Emme Aviles and her friends, elementary school students in The Child Center’s summer program at PS 273.

The students composed the song as part of an Africa-focused curriculum and fundraiser. They studied leadership, culture, and family relationships in six African countries, and raised money to help build a school in a South African village.

At the joyful final performance, students chanted, danced, and sang, to cheers from parents and friends. “There are no words to express the dedication, support and sincere caring of this program and staff,” wrote one parent in a thank-you note, remarking on the profound change in her son over the summer.

In addition to finding new friends and mentors, the kids forged a real connection to a place halfway around the world. “To know that they were helping others—that was really important to them,” said Saher Mahmood, the program’s director.

Two Years After Sandy, Far Rockaway Community Center Rebuilds

November 3, 2014 | Leave a reply

One and a half years after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, the gym floor at Beach 41^st Street Community Center was still out of commission. All of the floors were stripped bare to the concrete.

“The children weren’t able to play in the gym,” says Nathalie Louis, program director of the Beach 41^st Street Community Center. “It was bare. It didn’t look like a gym at all.”

Today, the Community Center has a fresh coat of blue paint and the gym has a new floor where children can play basketball and run and play—a community effort, thanks to the work of the staff at the Community Center, Council Member Donovan Richards and his supporting staff, Rebuilding Together NYC, and community volunteers from New York City and across the country.

Nathalie Louis says that the repairs to the gym started this summer, thanks to ongoing conversations with NYCHA and City Councilman Donovan Richards. The new paint and other renovations are thanks to Rebuilding Together NYC. Prompted by Far Rockaway/Arverne Nonprofit Coalition’s call for proposals, the Community Center applied for repairs and improvements from Rebuilding Together NYC. The organization will donate a stove to replace the one damaged by Hurricane Sandy and began painting the walls a bright, child-friendly blue in October. The blue—a great improvement over the institutional cream from before—reflects the ocean colors of Far Rockaway. Continue reading →

Growing Strong, Growing Healthy

November 3, 2014 | Leave a reply

“Who would like to help me make this salad?” the class instructor asked. In the front row, Kimberly Quintero, age 7, waved her arm eagerly. The instructor, Mohammad Haq, was part of Farm to Preschool, a national nutrition program that The Child Center of NY has brought to our Head Start in Woodside, Queens. He was teaching a group of mothers and children to make coleslaw, and he helped as Kimberly mixed fresh dill with grated cabbage and carrots.

Childhood obesity has doubled over the last thirty years—and low-income children are more likely to be overweight. The Farm to Preschool classes are just part of a broader anti-obesity health initiative that The Child Center is making throughout our early childhood programs. The initiative is anchored by a grant from BJ’s Charitable Foundation, which has increased the hours and duties of the Head Start nurse practitioner and the master’s level nutritionist.

Now, we will be able to screen all families in our Head Start programs for health problems, including obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, providing extra care for those who need it. Our nutritionist will help Head Start staff establish healthy eating habits and menus. Our food service manager, who helped bring Farm to Preschool to Woodside, will continue to keep the focus on fresh, healthy fare. Continue reading →

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: How to Recognize Trauma and How to Help

October 27, 2014 | Leave a reply

Domestic violence is one of the most traumatizing events a child can experience, and each year 3.3 million children witness domestic violence assaults. They are domestic violence’s hidden victims. Unable to turn to their parents for help, these children often struggle in silence, alone with their fear and trauma.

But if we are alert to the signs of this trauma in children, we can help ensure their safety and help them recover. The Child Center responded to over 1000 domestic violence cases last year in which children’s safety was threatened. When children live in a domestic violence situation, they are at high risk for both emotional and physical harm, including injury from thrown objects or when a child intervenes to protect the abused parent. Adequate safety planning can keep children safe.

To help identify children who might be suffering from trauma, here are some common behaviors and ways to help.

Newborns and toddlers: Even newborns and toddlers can feel the stress in their environment and have sleep and eating disturbances. Children under five can be fearful or uncertain as they respond to their environment, and they may throw tantrums or mimic the abuser’s behaviors. Nervous habits can also begin around this time, such as thumb sucking or rocking.

How to help: Parents and caregivers can help by helping the child to name his feelings, give all of the empathy and reassurance they can, and keep the children close to their family support system. It’s also important to give children choices so they know that they still have a measure of control over their own lives. Continue reading →

Linda Rodriguez Honored at Hispanic Leadership Awards Ceremony

October 8, 2014 | Leave a reply

Kids at HeadStart The Child Center of NY is delighted to announce that Linda Rodriguez, Associate Executive Director of The Child Center’s Early Childhood Programs, will be honored as an outstanding Hispanic leader in the community of Queens. On October 14, NYC Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer will recognize the hard work and dedication of Linda and six other awardees at his Fifth Annual Hispanic Leadership Awards Ceremony.

Linda has led our early childhood programs since 2008 and now oversees Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Learn programs at four locations. Before arriving at The Child Center, she served for five years as the director of early childhood programs at the Children’s Aid Society. She has been committed to uplifting and improving the lives of New Yorkers throughout her career, which has included the American Red Cross, Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center, and Family Dynamics.

Continue reading →