On January 25, the annual Sanctuary Stitchers Blanket Presentation took place at the American Folk Art Museum. Kids and adults were encouraged to explore the museum and get to know each other better by participating in a scavenger hunt.
What significance can be found in a blanket? Young people living with us are not living with their own families. What must that feel like—to be 15 years old and know you have parents and siblings “out there,” but for a whole host of reasons, living together on a day-to-day basis isn’t possible? Now imagine sleeping in a bed that isn’t your own but needs to feel safe and secure and “yours.” A blanket—made just for you—can transform that bed into a safe, warm haven. That is the significance of a blanket made and delivered by the Sanctuary Stitchers.
Interested in becoming a Sanctuary Stitcher? Monthly meetings are held at JBFCS Headquarters. Mark your calendars, Thursday, March 15 will be the next one. Contact Natasha Gray for more information.
For the youths who live with us at Hawthorne Cedar Knolls, life has been traumatic. And learning to express yourself is difficult at the best of times. Reflection Student Magazine aims to provide a safe space for students to have those emotions come to life—whether through stories, poetry, interviews, or music.
The issue you see here is the fourth edition and it’s chock full of reflections. It’s part of the path students take when learning to make positive choices. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as our kids enjoyed making it.
At JBFCS, our Divisional Boards play a critical role in supporting our programs, services, staff, and clients. Since August 2010, nearly 20 new members have joined our six Divisional Boards, bringing diverse backgrounds and expertise to the table. We were thrilled to welcome many of these new members to a special breakfast on February 16, hosted by Paul Levine (Executive Vice President & CEO) and Fran Levy (Vice President & Co-Chair, Executive Committee).
At the breakfast our new members spoke about their experiences so far—including thoughts on how JBFCS can make our Divisional Boards even more engaging. They queried Fran and Paul about specific programs and about the agency as a whole—and encouraged us to think broadly and creatively in terms of incorporating technology into our work. In turn, Paul and Fran shared their perspective about the work of our Divisional Boards and ways that members can be an asset to the agency.
In its collaboration with the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, JBFCS joins forces to help sponsor its 2nd Annual Urban Health Conference, which runs from February 23 to 26.
Maria Rios, of the Dr. Eugene Glynn/YCL Counseling Center, will be participating in a panel on Domestic and Youth Violence, specifically its effect on the family.
In addition there will be workshops on men’s health and how the environment impacts cardiovascular health, stress, weight, and more, financial resources for women, health checks, and information on asthma and the environment. We urge you to attend any of these workshops.
If you’ve seen our anti-stigma campaign throughout New York City, you may have noticed that the company that owns the telephone kiosks sporting these ads is called Titan.
On February 20, Titan sent 20 of our kids from the Westchester campus to see the Hanneford Circus at the Westchester County Center. The kids had a blast and we thank Titan for thinking of us!