Q&A: Families Talk About What NIA Beacon Community Centers Mean to Them
Since NIA’s inception, we have offered a variety of free and essential community services to New Yorkers — from social services assistance and wellness package giveaways to weekly classes and special family events hosted by our Beacon Community Centers at PS 247 in Bensonhurst and PS 179 in Kensington.
Thousands of families have been impacted by our Beacon Community Centers but today, we’re putting the spotlight on seven. Some of these families live in the surrounding neighborhoods and some live in other areas of Brooklyn but attend our events virtually, which has become the norm during this pandemic (and will likely continue to be). The opportunity to have an accessible community center has been crucial, especially in this past year, as families have struggled to connect with the outside world and participate in engaging activities at home together.
See below to hear from those we serve and find out what NIA Beacon Community Centers and their neighborhoods mean to them!
Annie’s daughter Sara poses during the 2019 Thanksgiving Paint Night
Annie, NIA/PS 247 Beacon Participant from Bensonhurst
Why is your neighborhood/community so special to you?
Annie: We love everything in our neighborhood - PS 247, NIA at PS 247, parks, grocery stores, restaurants, and great neighbors.
Which NIA/PS 247 Beacon activity is your favorite and why?
Annie: Paint nights! We love that we can invite our family members to join in on an NIA activity that is fun and creative. Plus, family members get to see the school, experience the NIA vibe, and meet other school families.
How has NIA after school impacted you and your children?
Annie: We have four children who attended NIA after school! They loved exploring different classrooms, learning to play instruments, and making new friends who are not in their regular classes. Holiday and cultural celebrations were a blast. The winter and summer performances were exciting. Most importantly, as working parents, our minds and hearts were at ease knowing that our children were in good hands after school. Words cannot express how thankful we are for the NIA family.
Why is having access to a Beacon Community Center important to you?
Annie: A community center is a place where children of all ages can interact with role models and learn to be responsible adults. They acquire lifelong skills and see respect, discipline, integrity, and empathy in action.
Carrie’s daughters showing off their completed paintings from a NIA/PS 247 Beacon Paint Night
Carrie, NIA/PS 247 Beacon Participant from East Flatbush
Why is your neighborhood/community so special to you?
Carrie: My neighborhood is very special to me because it is filled with a diverse group of people from different Caribbean islands. My family is able to experience different cultures and taste different kinds of foods without even boarding an airplane.
Which NIA/PS 247 Beacon activity is your favorite and why?
Carrie: My family and I have attended several Beacon Community Center events. We have attended a number of Paint and Snack Night events, the Handwriting workshop, and the Financial Literacy Workshop. The Paint and Snack Nights have been our favorite. It's an evening where the parents and children can engage and enjoy a fun activity together. We've had a wonderful time and been able to create great memories on our paint nights. The girls look forward to it every time!
Why is having access to a Beacon Community Center important to you?
Carrie: I appreciate Beacon Community Centers because it has given my family an opportunity to experience different activities and expose us to different services that we wouldn't have had the chance to participate in otherwise. Having access to the Beacon Center is important to us because we have the opportunity to take different kinds of classes and grow in different ways, as a family.
Photo of Karina (lower left) with her family
Karina, NIA/PS 247 Beacon Participant from Bensonhurst/Bath Beach
Why is your neighborhood/community so special to you?
Karina: It’s the neighborhood I grew up in. The neighborhood diversity is a melting pot of great cuisine and lots of culture.
Which NIA/PS 247 Beacon activity is your favorite and why?
Karina: I have attended all the Paint Nights and the free Yoga class on Saturdays. I liked it all so much that I can't choose which is my favorite!
How has NIA after school impacted you and your children?
Karina: My children were enrolled last year (not this year because of COVID-19) and NIA after school allowed me the freedom to work without the strain of worrying about what my children would do after their school day ends.
Why is having access to a Beacon Community Center important to you?
Karina: Beacon is important because it provides a place for families, both children and parents, to participate in activities they may not be able to otherwise.
Photo of Mimi (left) with her family
Mimi, NIA/PS 247 Beacon Participant from Bensonhurst
Why is your neighborhood/community so special to you?
Mimi: My neighborhood/ community is so special to me because of the diversity - we have neighbors and friends from different races and cultures that I can learn from.
Which NIA/PS 247 Beacon activity is your favorite and why?
Mimi: The Paint & Snack Night was one of our favorite events. It gave us the opportunity as parents to interact with our child in a school setting and we were able to interact with all the amazing staff that attend to our child from the NIA Program.
How has NIA after school impacted you and your child?
Mimi: My child was enrolled in the NIA after school program pre-pandemic and it impacted us in many ways. With the help of the program, my child became better at math and reading with the strategic help of the wonderful staff. He also had the opportunity to interact with children after school hours in a safe environment. Besides the fun activities offered on a daily basis, my child's homework was always completed. And with the help of the NIA after school program, many parents like me are able to keep a full-time job. I can't thank NIA and their staff enough for all they do day in and day out. Even with the pandemic, the staff still keep in touch with students by doing Virtual Paint Nights from the other side of the world. To me that is beyond amazing.
Why is having access to a Beacon Community Center important to you?
Mimi: Having a Beacon Community Center is important to me so the children can be assisted with their school needs, the working parents can sustain a full-time job and the elderly can get the help from the community when needed.
Photo of Nargis (lower right) with her family
Nargis, NIA/PS 247 Beacon Participant from Bensonhurst
Why is your neighborhood/community so special to you?
Nargis: I love my neighborhood because they have so many programs to support parents, kids, immigrants, and adults. It's very important and helpful for new neighbors because they help with questions or give you advice.
Which NIA/PS 247 Beacon activity is your favorite and why?
Nargis: I like all the art activities, like drawing, the cookies we made, and the candle-making.
How has NIA after school impacted you and your child?
Nargis: My child is enrolled in NIA after school and my favorite part is how she is able to be creative and do fun activities while I'm at work. Her older sister graduated from PS 247 but is still able to attend activities with her sister because it is a community center.
Why is having access to a Beacon Community Center important to you?
Nargis: It is important to me because my daughter has the opportunity to do fun activities and socialize, while getting her work done.
Catherine, NIA/PS 179 Beacon Participant from Kensington
Why is your neighborhood/community so special to you?
Catherine: It's our home, community, and makes us feel safe.
Which NIA/PS 179 Beacon activity is your favorite and why?
Catherine: The NIA/PS 179 Summer camp is my favorite because my son loves it!
How has NIA after school impacted you and your child?
Catherine: It has improved his social skills and aided to his newly developed confidence.
Why is having access to a Beacon Community Center important to you?
Catherine: It’s close to our home and gives us a sense of community.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Catherine: The staff is amazing - they have showed my son Alejandro that he matters and that can't be taught!
Dina, NIA/PS 247 Beacon Participant from Bensonhurst
Why is your neighborhood/community so special to you?
Dina: Because it’s where I grew up and where I want my child to grow up. The diversity of my neighborhood and the sense of community makes Bensonhurst one of the best areas in Brooklyn to raise a child.
Which NIA/PS 247 Beacon activity is your favorite and why?
Dina: My son enjoyed going to NIA Summer Camp. He loved the environment, the camp leaders, and the program. He literally skipped his way to PS 247.
Why is having access to a Beacon Community Center important to you?
Dina: A Beacon Community Center is important to me because it provides my child a safe and nurturing environment to grow. I’m able to go to work without worrying. I know my son is in good hands.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Dina: The Beacon Programs are well organized and a program that actually puts the child first – fostering their needs, allowing them to socialize, and learn in a safe and encouraging environment. The entire NIA team deserves accolades and recognition for their dedication to the youth of our community.
We thank all of our participants for sharing their stories and supporting our work! If you want the chance to be featured on our blog or social media, please take our after school or community survey here.
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