Mid-Summer Newsletter
Happy Summer from NIA! We are thrilled for all the exciting events and activities we have planned for the season. From our Annual Summer Concert Series and Family Fun Days to Summer Rising camps, there is something for everyone in our community to enjoy!
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
In partnership with Councilman Justin Brannan and Senator Andrew Gounardes, we kicked off our Bay Ridge Summer Concert Series on July 9th with a fantastic turnout of over 500 people enjoying 80s hits from the band Radio Daze. Beat Brigade followed suit with everyone enjoying reggae punk music, and The Electrix, a Grateful Dead Cover band, drew quite the crowd. Join us every Tuesday through August 27th and Friday, September 6th, starting at 7:00 PM. Click here for all rain date updates. Be sure to stop by our NIA table for information on all of our services and upcoming events!
Upcoming Events
Don’t miss out on FREE NIA events this summer!
FAMILY FUN DAYS
In addition to our Summer Concert Series, we are proud to announce an extended roster of our free Family Fun Days. In partnership with Councilman Justin Brannan, Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Senator Iwen Chu, these free events bring a day of music, entertainment, and fun to various communities across Brooklyn. Our first two Family Fun Days have been a great success with many families coming to join us and enjoy the games, free food, and crafts such as face painting, bracelet making, and a temporary tattoo station. Click here to see the schedule for our upcoming events! Local businesses are invited to contact NIA’s Director of Communications & Development for more information on sponsorship and tabling opportunities - virginia@niabklyn.org.
SENIOR PROM Series 2024
On July 15th, we hosted our final Senior Prom of the year in partnership with Senator Andrew Gounardes. Over 125 members of our senior communities from Sunset Park to Prospect Lefferts Gardens came to dance the night away at Dyker Beach Golf Course, many of whom were first-time participants at our beloved Senior Prom series. The evening included a sit-down dinner, music, and mingling with students from McKinley Intermediate School, who served as prom “chaperones”.
CAREY GARDENS CORNERSTONE
We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of NIA’s new Cornerstone Community Center in Coney Island in the Carey Gardens housing development. On July 8th, services kicked off with the launch of our summer camp, serving elementary school youth. Participants have enjoyed a fun summer on site so far, with more to come including field trips and special experiences. The schedule will soon expand to offer evening and weekend services for all ages. NIA is pleased to be taking over the operation of this important facility, and we look forward to making a positive impact in the Carey Gardens Community. Cornerstone is made possible by funding from the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development.
START OF SUMMER RISING
Our Summer Rising programs have kicked off with a splash! With school out for the summer, students are now able to spend quality time with their friends while participating in a variety of educational and fun activities. Our Program Directors are doing an amazing job at keeping the students engaged and entertained with games, clubs, and field trips. Programs run in partnership with the NYC Department of Education, ensuring each child’s summer is filled with a well rounded schedule of ongoing academic supports and fun. It's shaping up to be a fantastic summer filled with laughter, friendship, and new experiences for all participating students. Featured photos include NIA/MS 237 building airplanes using kits, NIA/IS 227 getting creative with art projects and attending Hell’s Kitchen on Broadway, NIA/IS 95 attending a field trip to Beat the Bomb and participating in different escape rooms and a competitive STEM activity to create the highest structure using dry pasta and marshmallows. NIA/PS 247 is shown celebrating Disney Day with special guest Minnie Mouse, the students getting to experience the Cosmic IQ Indoor Planetarium Dome, as well as participants enjoying Superhero Day. Hundreds of NIA/IS 187 summer rising students and staff had a special Dim Sum Lunch at Park Asia restaurant. Summer rising is made possible by funding from the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development.
COUNCIL MEMBER SUSAN ZHUANG GRAND OPENING CEREMONY
Last month, NIA President Michael A. Bové attended Council Member Susan Zhuang’s office grand opening ceremony in Bensonhurst. Also in attendance was Detective Stephen Agosta and Captain Ladatra Turner of the 62nd Precinct, PS 331 Principal, Lisa Lin, PS 187 Principal, Mina Sadiki, and State Assembly Member, Lester Chang. It was an honor to attend the ceremony and we look forward to working with Council Member Zhuang in the future.
ESSENTIAL NEEDS DRIVE
On Friday, July 26th, the Manager of Family Services, Isabel Paz, hosted an Essential Needs Drive at our brand new Carey Gardens Cornerstone location. Isabel and Ericka Rambert, our Cornerstone Community Engagement Coordinator, handed out free hygiene products such as shampoo, feminine products, toothpaste, soaps, and much more to any interested parties for registering for the Cornerstone. More than 50 people from the community showed up and attended the drive. We look forward to hosting more community events like these at our Carey Gardens community!
NIA SOCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANCE
FAMILY SERVICES
NEW HIRES & PROMOTIONS
Nusrat Minaj
PS 179 Program Director
Nusrat has been with NIA since 2019 and started out with us as an instructor. Her dedication to her students, and her passion for creating engaging and impactful programs has led her to her new role as program director. Nusrat brings a unique perspective to the position, with a background in education and a commitment to fostering a positive learning environment for all participants. She is excited to take on this new challenge and further enhance the services offered by NIA.
Adriana Quacinella
Personnel Compliance Manager
Adriana Quacinella is a graduate of Brooklyn College, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Human Resources. She considers herself to be a results-driven and solution-oriented person. Since joining the NIA HR Department in 2022, Adriana has proven herself to be a valuable asset with her exceptional ability to drive results and find innovative solutions to complex challenges, which we will look forward to seeing in her new role that will support the organization with personnel compliance efforts. We are so excited to see her continued success with NIA in the future.
