January 2025 Newsletter

 
 

We’re delighted to welcome the new year and the opportunities it brings for our participants! January has been a vibrant month, with our programs celebrating the Lunar New Year and launching DYCD’s Exploring Futures initiative for middle schoolers. We’re also preparing for our 4th Annual Read Out Loud Campaign, while looking ahead to the kickoff of our annual NIA Basketball League and other engaging activities. Keep reading to learn more about our latest initiatives and upcoming events!

The Coney donates tablets to nia Carey Gardens cornerstone

The Coney Group partnered with NIA and generously donated 30 tablets to the NIA Carey Gardens Cornerstone Community Center funded by NYC DYCD. This valuable contribution will provide participants with vital access to technology resources, significantly enhancing our youth program services. NIA Founder and President Michael A. Bové, Rob Cornegy of The Coney, Cornerstone Director Leonard Campbell, and NIA Community Liaison Thomas Hoefel were in attendance. The Cornerstone is deeply grateful to The Coney for their support, as these tablets will empower us to offer even more meaningful education and enrichment opportunities for our community. Thank you for making a difference! Monica Morales from WPIX attended and had the opportunity to interview some of our staff and participants about what this means to them. Click here to read more.

Lunar new year celebrations

NIA joyfully began celebrating the Lunar New Year with vibrant traditions and special events across our programs. On January 24th, PS 247 hosted their annual festive gathering featuring cultural activities and creative arts and crafts. They brought in traditional lion dancers for all to enjoy and served dinner to everyone in attendance. PS 229 organized a heartwarming celebration that showcased the beauty of diversity with a "Respect for All" dessert night in collaboration with IS 229. In preparation for the event, participants crafted colorful dragon and snake decorations, adding a festive touch. Meanwhile, PS 186 and PS 52 each held lively celebrations, embracing the spirit of togetherness and new beginnings that the Lunar New Year represents.

DYCD’s “Exploring futures” at nia

Exploring Futures is an initiative created by DYCD, supporting middle school programs in implementing a leadership curriculum where participants learn about various future careers and participate in experiential field trips related to them. NIA's middle school programs are pleased to be participating. NIA/JHS 227, NIA/IS 95, and NIA/IS 187 were able to tour the FDR high school campus and learn about basketball recruitment in high school, college, and post-college as well as participate in basketball games. This is the first of many outings that we will be participating in to expand our students' knowledge and better prepare them for their futures, and we are so excited to be a part of it!

career day at PS 216 and PS 179

Earlier this month, Career Day was hosted at PS 216 and PS 179, offering students valuable insights into various professions. Both locations generously invited a few NIA staff members to participate and share their experience working at NIA. At PS 216, the event featured classroom visits for K-2 students and an assembly for 3rd-5th graders, where representatives from “Soar Academy” facilitated a Q&A with a diverse panel of professionals. Panelists included an NYPD Sergeant, a toy maker, a Senator’s office representative, the school’s Custodial Engineer, and NIA Program Supervisor Thomas Zaki. Meanwhile, PS 179 welcomed students from across the district for their own Career Day. NIA Directors and Supervisors highlighted opportunities in afterschool programs, alongside presentations from professionals such as NYPD officers, FDNY members, Army Sergeants, Council Members, librarians, and physicians from Kings County Hospital, broadening students’ perspectives on future career paths.

NIA Basketball League

The NIA Basketball League is back for another season! Get ready for some friendly competition as NIA kicks off its Annual Basketball League, bringing together teams for a season of teamwork and sportsmanship.  So far we have had one scrimmage between MS 443 and IS 95 and we are so excited for the season to begin. The NIA Basketball League not only focuses on skill-building and basic game fundamentals; coaches also place an emphasis on leadership and team-building.

NIA Read Out Loud

NIA’s 4th Annual Read Out Loud Campaign is right around the corner! Starting on February 5th on National Read Out Loud Day, NIA will be hosting literary events through the end of the year for our participants. On top of that we will be hosting special guest authors who will be going to programs and reading from their books! During the month of February we will be focusing on Black History Month with books highlighting black/brown authors. NIA will be giving away around 10,000 free books to our students and families who attend. Thank you to Scholastic for their generous book donations and to our sponsors Maimonides Medical Center, Investors Foundation, NYC Ferry, and 7x24 Exchange! Thank you to all the wonderful visiting authors who will be working with us this year.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

NIA/JHS 227 New Year, New Me

The students at JHS 227 kicked off the new year with an exciting "New Year, New Me" party, where the spirit of fresh beginnings filled the air. The students had such a great time writing out their New Year's resolutions, while enjoying fun new music and some snacks. The event encouraged everyone to embrace their goals with enthusiasm and positivity!

NIA/PS 199 Crafts and Legos

NIA/PS 199 students have been enjoying many fun activities in the new year! Recently the students had a great time creating origami stars and using Legos to build vehicles like airplanes and helicopters.

NIA/IS 229 New NIA Game

Starting on January 27th, NIA/IS 229 participants will be competing in a series of games in teams, and the winning team from each grade will win a spot to an Escape Room trip during mid-winter break. Students will earn points through various games, such as NIA Trivia, Best Attendance, Musical Chairs, Simon Says, good behavior, best attendance, and classroom participation.

NIA SOCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANCE

 

NIA provides FREE services.

Most social services can be handled via phone or by virtual appointment.

 
 

  • Child Support Services

  • Counseling Services

  • EBT Skimming

  • Fair Fares

  • SNAP

  • HPD

  • DIRE

  • CITYHEPS Renewal

  • Health Insurance

  • Health Proxy Assistance

  • Heap

  • Medicare Savings Plan

  • SCHE

  • SCRIE

  • Referral Assistance

  • Access-A-Ride

  • IDNYC

  • NYCHA Housing Authority

  • Passport Appointments

  • WIC

 
 

FAMILY SERVICES

For more information, please contact our Manager of Family Services, Isabel Paz:

isabel@niabklyn.org or call (929) 545-4172

 

PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

  • Parent Advisory Duties:

    • Suggest ideas and agenda items for NIA's Family Services parent education, family events, and other community projects.

    • Work collaboratively with other committee members.

    • Participate in a minimum of two out of four meetings (Meeting quarterly, every 3 months).

    • Help promote NIA's activities and events in the community.

 

PRIVATE FAMILY SUPPORT SESSION

  • Behavioral changes in children, family conflicts, new stressors within the family, clothing, food, transportation, personal items

    All sessions are voluntary and based on each family’s needs, and include the option for referral for things outside of our scope such as domestic violence, mental health, and more.

 

NEW MOMS GROUP

 

  • Our new mom group discusses topics such as:

    • Baby development

    • what to anticipate as a new mom

    • journey from month to month for your baby’s first year

    • tips and tricks on navigating motherhood

    • and much more!

 
 
 
 
 
 
NIA Brooklyn