Leave the gun take the canoli

An icy grey pentimento in  the deep blue December sky was the first hint that there was something special in the air over Sunset Park.   A string of unseasonably  balmy   days inexplicably  gave way to 6 inches of snow on the afternoon  of Children of the City’s annual Holiday Super Saturday Event. 

  Months in the making, this party was the culmination of a  week long marathon of collecting, sorting and wrapping gifts for  600 families living below the poverty line in soutwest Brooklyn.  

Joyce Mattera, Daniel  Ramos, Marty Raymond and Melissa Perez   orchestrated  every aspect of  the Christmas project from soliciting donations to recruiting volunteers and making sure that  each  gift was  wrapped,  labled and delivered on time.   

Wrapping was never my forte, so I relied on the kindness and expertise of Elizabeth and Jocelyn Greenwald form Park Prep Academy in New Jersey to help me make a dent in the pile of “creativity kits” donated by New York Cares. 

Rumors around the local schoolyard claimed that   Santa  was on a tight budget.  So,  many of the   kids were  convinced they’d be forgotten.  Most of the letters were requests for clothes, sneakers or toys for a younger sibling.    

A virtual round of applause to all of the donors  and  volunteers who helped to make the holidays happier for the  1100 kids who celebrated with Children of the City.    Santa couldn’t have done it without  you!

The annual Boxes of Love Thanksgiving food event at Children  of the City is the only  community service project with all the fun and excitement of a game of Beat  The Clock. 

The first shift of volunteers arrive at noon to help sort hundreds of pounds of canned food  and non-perishables.  They  pack dozens of  bags and boxes of groceries for  families living below the poverty line in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.    

 At three o’clock sharp, the second shift is in place and Daniel Ramos  goes over the game plan.  Dividing the volunteers into three teams he explains that  time is of the essence.   We have one hour  to distribute the boxes to the  clients standing on the other side of the door.   

A former Disney employee instructs the volunteers on ways to make the Children of the City headquarters the happiest place in Brooklyn.   

Each family walks through the threshold to the applause and cheers of smiling volunteers.    Ticket takers welcome guests in Spanish and English.   The families are asked to chose between a canned ham or a frozen turkey package.  Smiling  volunteers carry the groceries and help shepard the kids  outside.  Everyone wishes each other a Happy Thanksgiving  y Felice de Dia de Gracias.    

Children of the City offers a variety of programs to help change the culture of poverty.     

On a good day, running in heels makes about as much sense as running with scissors but I was up for the illogical challenge  to save a child.   Stop Child Trafficking Now was trying to set a world record for a stiletto run in NYC to help raise awareness of the fastest growing crime on Earth.   

The sudden September shower wrecked havoc on our shoes and made 62nd Street and Columbus Avenue a slick mess.   Most of us were more concerned about breaking a heel than breaking our necks.      

The race was short and sweet followed by a walk around Manhattan.  Waiting for the final tally on donations and the offical verdict  about breaking a record took a little longer.

On October 8th, 2009 the official news was posted that the ladies racing in the rain broke the world record for  running in stilettos.   For more information about Stop Child Trafficking Now visit www.sctnow.org

Children of the City stepped up their anti-obesity initiative with the  help of their friends at Pricewaterhouse Coopers, New York Cares and Radio Disney.

Pricewaterhouse Coopers graciously donated their time and energy to organize two events to benefit Children of the City.  In an effort to foster goodwill and teamwork Pricewaterhouse Coopers offers their employees a chance to assemble brand new bicycles for underprivileged kids.  Children of the City president and founder, Joyce Mattera and I had the pleasure of meeting Daniel Rhodes the coordinator of this operation at the Millenium  hotel in Manhattan.   

The Elvis version of ”A Little Less Conversation” was blasting though the hotel auditorium as I made the rounds to thank the amateur mechanics and answer questions  about Children of the City.      Mr. Rhodes had announced to the crowd that they only had an hour and a half before Joyce and I would bring in a few kids to see their bikes.

Five kids were picked for the mini field trip to Manhattan, even though all of the students in the Create Success Summer Program would receive a bike the following day.  The kids were completely overwhelmed to see so many bikes in one place.  Jocelyn, a fourth grader, asked for a microphone so she could address the crowd.  She expressed her gratitude on behalf of all the kids.  The crowd was stunned when they realized that these bikes  would be the first ones that many of the kids would ever ride or own.  Of course, the kids invited everyone to come to the Children of the City headquarters and eventually they did.

Last Friday, Pricewaterhouse Coopers employees took a day off to hang out at the Children of the City headquarters in Sunset Park.  They  joined New York Cares program manager Whitney Hampton  and her volunteers  to host a carnival  with music provided by Radio Disney.

The kids played games, painted and ran relay races with the financial services staff.  Later,  DJ Deanna Fernandez and her Radio Disney Road Crew taught the kids a few dance moves.  They could have danced all afternoon but the weather interrupted the fun just before their parents arrived at 3 pm.     

A sudden summer storm  dampened the red carpet   outside of Tribeca Rooftop, as paparazzi and reporters  clamoured for  Gwyneth Paltrow’s attention  as she  walked  into Children of the City’s annual benefit gala.  Hosted by local ABC meteorologist Bill Evans, the Champions of Hope benefit shone a spotlight on the  noble  non-profit trying to change the culture of poverty.

The guest of honor, Gwyneth Paltrow, spoke eloquently about the organization before  the press and the 400 plus guests who came to support the organization.  She graciously spent quality time with several  teenage girls receiving services from Children of the City.     Ms Paltrow and Mr. Evans   went out of their way to focus  attention and admiration on Rosa, a 9th grader in the guardianship program.  They allowed Rosa to speak from her heart about all of the things Children of the City does to keep her safe and healthy.  

Overcoming a sad and difficult early childhood,  Rosa is an optimist.    She speaks respectfully about her biological mother who has been unable to  care for her since she was 5.   She sings the praises of her warm and loving foster family, mentor and tutors.   Her gratitude toward the organization and its sponsors was so  sincere that Rosa received a thunderous  round of applause that made her the biggest   star of the gala.         

Children of the City kicked off the summer with a health fair disguised as a block party. Kids spent the afternoon examining dinosaur bones on the American Museum of Natural History’s mobile exhibit, while their parents learned  the importance of physical and financial health thanks to  representatives from Health Plus, Turning Point, and TD Ameritrade. 

Jude Maragliano, and his  associate Russell, form A M N H’s educational department  patiently answered hundreds of questions as the kids observed replicas of  ancient  bones.     New York Cares volunteers helped the kids transition from the exhibit to sack races, watermelon eating contests and variations on  ring toss games.    They also grilled hot dogs and passed out fresh juice and healthy snacks to over 500 families living below the poverty line.

Sunset Park has a  has a rich history of embracing immigrants from every continent and common wealth in the Atlas.   Ever since the days of Ellis Island, this  south Brooklyn neighborhood has consistenly  welcomed a steady stream of strangers to its  communtiy and classrooms.   

Last semester, Joel Mejia  challenged the students of The Dual Language School in Sunset Park  to be a part of  his  ”Dare To Dream Project” and explore  immigrant heritage.   Many of the children enrolled in this after school  endeavor  immigrated when they were babies, others are first generation Americans.   

Joel began by teaching  the kids photography skills.  Then, he empowered them with cameras and took them for walks around the neighborhood.  They discovered  the meaning of juxtaposition by strolling down 8th Avenue.  The children were fascinated with the vibrant colors of the Chinese shops preparing for the Lunar New Year.  Just a few feet away they found a   Mexican bakery and  stores with signs in Arabic calligraphy.

Suddenly, the students were filled with questions on the immigrant experience and how it differed from one group to another.   They learned to appreciate the struggles and accomplishments of their families and neighbors.  When it came time for the kids to select the images to display in the Dare to Dream Media Festival, their compositions proved  thoughtful and sophisticated.  They captured the the pride of the shop owners and the symbols of the various cultures.   The work in the exhibit was professional and thought provoking.                     

The Dare To Dream Media Festival was featured by the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs  2008 Immigrant Heritage Week.      

March winds always signal a serious change in the climate of academic programs for at risk students.  The stress of standardized tests deplete the fun  from every aspect of the school day including recess.  Children of the City is consistent in planning the curriculum for  their Create Success after school program  so that the  delicate  balance of rigor and humor are maintained throughout the year.  In an effort to offset  school related stress, Joyce Mattera and Daniel Ramos organized a few little surprises to keep the  kids on their game and reading.

By recruiting students from Brooklyn Tech and West Brooklyn Community High School,  Children of the City   celebrated  ”National Dr. Suess Day”  with an author study and marathon reading  of Theodore Geisel’s  classic rhyming tales.   A few days later Ronald McDonald stopped by to reiterate the importance of reading.   But  the highlight of the month was  when NFL Superbowl champ, David  Tyree and his  family dropped  by for the afternoon.  

 During his visit, Mr. Tyree spent time with every single child in the program.  His sincere interest in their well being and academic progress was evident in the way he  made eye contact and engaged each child in conversation.   Researchers have  not yet  devised a rubric to measure the effects of a little attention from a football hero on a child’s self esteem.   But, a few weeks after Mr. Tyree’s visit,  my  NY Cares crew of  Reading Partners (Alaina, Anne, Caitlin, Galen, Laura, Neal and Phoebe) noticed an  improvement in the  social skills of  the children.   They  were much more out going, made eye contact more frequently  and welcomed all of the  volunteers, not just their reading partner.                 

Changing the culture of poverty takes persistence,  the willingness to listen and the desire to spoil children with the two things they want most; time and attention.   

Operating under the assumption  that  it’s the inalienable right of every child to experience undivided attention from the adult of their choice, my NYCares crew, Casey, Estela, Gaelen, Katie,  Lisa and Melissa spent Saturday morning reading and playing word games with   the kids at Children of the City.

It had been a while since the NYCares volunteers had been at the Children of the City headquarters.  So the kids were   eagar to tell us everything that’s happened in the last month.     

When I went into the kitchen to get some juice,  7 year old Vanessa decided to take a break with me.  She sipped her orange juice  and told me about all the things she was looking forward to doing at Super Saturday.   “My favorite games are hot potato and tag” she said.  Vanessa, learned these classic childhood games from the Children of the City staff.  The daughter of recent immigrants, Vanessa spends all of her free time here, at the Create Succuss after school program and Super Saturday.  Her mom is always busy looking  for odd jobs.  I think  I’ve seen her father  standing in the line for  day  laborers.    Her family’s holiday meals and all the presents under their Christmas tree  last year were  courtesy of Children of the City.  

 ”And my most favorite toy is the one I got  at Christmas” Vanessa continued.  ” Don’t get jealous.  Its Hannah Montana.  She’s like a Barbie.  I brush her hair  two times a day.  And I keep her in a safe place when I’m at school  I could show her to you if you promise not to get jealous.”        

We were interrupted by Brian who was holding a book.  “Here it is” he said,  “that’s the kind of lizard I have” he points to a picture.  ”That one.   I have two.  Aa big one and a little one.”

“Don’t get jealous,” Vanessa interjected, “you have nice things too!” 

  ”They change color from brown to green”,  Brian continued.  “And you can’t find the little one when he climbs on the wall.  How many lizards have you got?” he asked as he began drawing reptiles  in my notebook. “I’m going to be an author and I’m going to write a book about chameleons for you.” 

I walked back to  the reading room checking on my NYCares crew.  Each volunteer had a group of 4 or 5 students engaged in a book or word game.  Galen helped the older boys increase their comprehension skills.   Estela  had her Kindergarten group mesmerized by her story telling skills.     Melissa’s group was playing a game with sight words.   Casey and Lisa were showing the kids strategies for sounding out new words. 

 Giovanni, called me over to look at the  table where he was playing  Sight Word Bingo.   He’s only five but he has already mastered the sounds of the alphabet and can reads simple sentences.   “Look,  that one starts with the same sound as off,” he puts his tiny finger over  the word other.   “But’s it not the right word.   Melissa said ‘off. ‘ Count my squares.   I have 13 and when when I get one more I’ll 14.  And if I put it there,” he points to the word other again, “I’ll say BINGO!”

The Children of the City staff came around to remind the kids that it was almost noon and the Super Saturday activities were starting upstairs.       As my volunteers began putting on their coats, one little boy, Lenny,  began to cry.   He put his hands over his ears and refused to say goodbye to any of us.  When the NYCares crew left, I stayed behind to clean up  and make sure that Lenny was alright.     His Children of the City tutor and mentor sat with him for a while.  Then Lenny’s mentor smiled and told  me that the tears were  a compliment.     Lenny  enjoyed reading with Estela   so much that he didn’t want her to  leave.    I ‘m jealous. 

The kids at Team Green, an environmental project sponsored by New York Cares, are a savvy bunch of 5 th graders.  They’vs decided to  write and illustrate a book on ways to save the earth for their peers in a Sunset Park after school program.   Inevitably,  they’ve decided to devote a few chapters to global warming and the state of the world’s water supply.   Yesterday, they were researching the Arctic Ocean.  

“Is it true that their is no land on the North Pole? asked Jennifer,  as she flipped open several reference books and dropped a soft globe in my lap.    There was a black ink stain on the globe obscuring the North Pole.   Before I had the chance to respond,   Lourdes grabbed a book and read aloud a passage explaining that the North Pole was made up of ice and not land.   

“What does that mean for Santa Claus?’  Lourdes asked.   Jennifer looked dumbfounded.  The girls stared at each other for a second.   Then the girls got back to work.   Five minutes later they handed me the following letter and asked me if I could take care of this for them. 

Dear Santa,

Make sure you encourage people to stop global warming.  Because there is no land on the North Pole and you  are on ice and if it melts you will sink. 

 Santa, you really need to get the word out.

Yours truly,  

Jennifer and Lourdes