Around the Settlement: July 2026

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Welcome to Around the Settlement, our monthly blog post sharing a deeper look into all of the vital programs and services provided by Grand St. Settlement throughout the Lower East Side, Brooklyn, and The Bronx.

To make sure you don't miss future news, sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about program updates, advocacy actions, and invitations to the best nonprofit fundraising events in New York City!

Happy Father’s Day!

Collage of Father's Day celebrations.
  • Bushwick Child & Family Center (CFC) students whipped up a delicious and nutritious breakfast to share with their fathers and father figures.

  • Fathers and grandfathers in our Senior Housing community joined together for a special and lively Father’s Day celebration!  

  • Fort Hamilton CFC dads stopped by for ABCs–arts, breakfast, and crafts! 

  • Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, which is why our Delancey CFC dads started the day right with their kids!

  • Sunset Park CFC dads were put to the test during a new quiz game: “How Well Do You Know Your Child?” Don’t worry, everyone got an A+! 

  • Donuts with Dad is the new Father’s Day tradition you didn’t know you needed. Pelham Parkway CFC dads and their kids shared a lovely breakfast with the sweet treats.

  • Sunset Park West CFC fathers and father figures served as artist assistants for their kids as they designed and painted their own trinket treasure boxes!

End of Year Celebrations

An Enchanted Forest in the Lower East Side

Teens pose in front of a faux grass and fairy light backdrop in formal dresses.

We hosted an end-of-year formal dance for graduating 8th Grade Rose Center participants! Participants, who have been with us for five years, were the ones who brought the enchanted forest to life. 

That’s the Spirit!
Students pose with their teacher in sport jerseys.

P.S. 241K is in high spirits at the end of a challenging and rewarding school year! Spirit week encouraged students to relax and express their creativity among their peers before they wrapped up the year at a thrilling carnival! 

A Colorful End of the Year

Two participants beaming and covered in powdered colors.

P.S. 297 celebrated the end of the school year with its second annual Color Splash, inspired by the traditional Caribbean festival "Powder Fete".

End-of-Year Showcase

Two teens hug in front of a VIP step-and-repeat backdrop that looks like a movie red carpet.

Williamsburg Community Center hosted its annual End-of-Year Showcase and Award Ceremony. We celebrated and honored our participants for their hard work and achievements, surrounded by friends and loved ones. Participants also got to show off their moves with a dance show!

Let’s Go to the Mall

Participants ride an amusement park swing ride.

To celebrate the end of a successful year, Seward Park Community Center treated participants to a visit to the American Dream Mall! The outing was a treat for graduating students and those who demonstrated positive growth and commitment to kindness throughout the year.

Ice Cream Social

Teens pose with their games and ice cream.

Lower East Side Preparatory High School hosted a mini-ice cream social during lunch for students with improved attendance over the year. We hope to have every student attend next year!

Marcy Party

Afterschool kids celebrate with a Chick-fil-a party.

Marcy Community Center participants held an end-of-afterschool celebration where they received awards for their amazing work during the school year!

BCAM Graduates!

School administrators present graduating high school students onstage.

Brooklyn Community Arts & Media High School celebrates the Class of 2026! Congratulations to these new high school graduates, who are ready to make a difference in the world.

Lyons and Williamsburg Team Up, Move Up

Aerial shot of the audience at a high school graduation.

Lyons Community School partnered with Williamsburg Community Center to hold a special end-of-school ceremony to celebrate the end of the year. Congratulations, graduates, we’re so proud of you! 

Dragon Boat Fest

Seniors in traditional and casual garb celebrating a cultural holiday.

Senior Housing residents brought out their traditional garb and instruments to celebrate this year’s Dragon Boat Festival. The festival is a 2,000+ year-old traditional holiday that features synchronized boat races, musical performances, and eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves).

Growing a Love of Reading

Preschoolers dance along to a teacher's instructions.

Story time can be an exciting and even physical activity! Sunset Park West CFC hosted a local librarian to lead a literacy-focused activity with children. She read them engaging stories and also led them in sing-alongs and dance breaks, all to foster a love of reading and storytelling!

Project DOT Workshops 

Teens listen to a presentation on  healthy relationship dynamics.

Project Speak Out Loud knows how to get work done on the dance floor and in the classrooms! In workshops led by partners at Project Dot, the Spring-Summer cohort has expanded their understanding of health relationships as well as the practice of consent within friendships, family bonds, and community dynamics.

Grand Street Grads

Collage of staff graduates.

Congratulations to Grand Street's recent staff grads, Patricia Allen, Jiang Liu, Sabrina Wu Mo, and Zoey Zou.

Making a Home

A mom and her daughter show off their origami house.

Our Lower East Side CFC parents and children worked on a meaningful art and wellness activity thanks to the Pond Psychology Practice. Families were guided through making origami homes and putting what a family needs to feel safe inside.  

Bridging the Gap

Youth pose in front of a DYCD step-and-repeat.

Roosevelt Cornerstone Community Center participants wrapped up the MY NYC Story program, an intergenerational initiative led by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and NYC Aging. Youth participants were paired with older adults to learn about each other’s experiences and create community-centric projects they later presented at a showcase.

Art and Crafts for All

Teens and seniors work on pottery projects together.

There’s no age requirement for loving an arts and crafts moment! Wyckoff Gardens Community Center seniors and teens came together to work on pottery and jewelry bag crafting for a lovely intergenerational event. 

Her Vision, Our Voice

Young women pose in front of a balloon arch.

This year's annual PowHer Culminating Event, "Her Vision, Our Voice: Celebrating Leadership & Community Impact," showcased the growth, leadership, and achievements of our young women. Through service-leaning projects and community-focused initiatives, participants explored self-discovery, confidence-building, mentorship, and civic engagement. Congratulations to the powerful young women making a difference in their communities!

Aloha to Summer

Two children pretend to lay on the beach donning sunglasses, leis, and other beachwear.

Delancey CFC students said ‘aloha’ to summertime! Our Pre-K classes kicked off graduation with a Luau Day, wearing their snazziest tropical wear and Hawaiian shirts to participate in some fun classroom games. 

Learning to Express Ourselves

A student holds up a flashcard depicting the feeling 'Scared' during an educational presentation.

Lafayette Gardens Community Center participants are getting in touch with their feelings! With the help of Youth staff, participants created a game called “Feelings Flash” where they could identify and share their feelings with others. They leveled up their social and emotional intelligence skills!

Knicks in Five!!

Collage of participants cheering on and supporting the New York Knicks

The Rose Center staff and participants hosted an exciting Knicks versus Spurs watch party during the NBA Finals! Youth participants from the Baruch Community Center and other nearby sites were invited to watch the nail-biter of a game! Even Bushwick CFC kids got involved by making Knicks-themed handprint art!

Mount Eden Grows a Community

Twos taff members table in front of their colorful child and family center.

The school year may have wrapped up, but our Mount Eden CFC staff are growing the Grand Street family in the Bronx! The team has been engaging with the community and enrolling students for the fall. 

Brooklyn Champions

Students receive certificates commendingg their work in extracurricular activities.

MS 582 held an awards ceremony to celebrate afterschool participants who have excelled in this year's competitive team extracurricular events!

Wellness for the Whole Family

Staff and moms play with their babies and toddlers.

Our "LoLos" (Little Ones and Loved Ones) Baby & Me participants and their parents love our socialization and wellness sessions at the Rose Center! Toddlers can participate in music and (very beginner) yoga while parents meet with our Family Resource staff. 

Overflowing with Teamwork

Youth work on a science experiment volcano.

What better way to learn the steps of the scientific method than the hands-on work of building your own volcano? Bushwick Hylan Community Center participants used the power of teamwork, creativity, and their STEAM skills to create some earth-shattering magic (or, rather, science!)

Ready for School: Family Resource Connection Event

Staff table in front of a Traditional Educational Center.

Grand Street's Family & Community Partnership team recently collaborated with Traditional Educational Center to host our Ready for School: Family Resource Connection Event. Families had the opportunity to meet Grand Street staff, learn about the family support services and community resources available throughout the school year.

Play Ball!

A girl's softball team poses showing off their uniforms and gear.

It’s softball season at The Rose Center, and team clinics are in full swing! Beginner and intermediate players are geared up and ready to give their all. Families cheered on the final practice of the year, and the team’s already gearing up for the fall!  

Exploring Japan

Collage of preschoolers enjoying Japanese culture.

Seward Park CFC families have been enjoying a mini-vacation to Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun! Students and parents practiced their origami skills together, relaxed with some watercolor painting, and sampled some classic Japanese treats (mochi was a big hit!) Teachers also created a papier-mache cherry blossom tree!

Community and Nature

A vibrant mural about community and nature, featuring the myth of the world turtle.

Rutgers Community Center walls got a fresh look thanks to Artist Singha Hon, in partnership with Artbridge. Inspired by themes of environmental consciousness and the interconnectedness of community and nature, the mural depicts the life cycle of a tree along with the mythology of the world turtle. 

Teachers vs Students

Students get pumpred up for a volleyball match.

The showdown we’ve been waiting for: Teachers vs Students! Lower East Side Prep Volleyball Coach, Andrew Chan, created the volleyball showdown to ring in the end of the school year. At the end of the tournament, the students were crowned champions!

Sunset Park Children’s Carnival

A girl poses with her father holding Sensory Sand in front of a table filled with goodies and resources.

Families, children, and staff had a blast at Sunset Park's CFC 2nd Children’s Carnival! Everyone enjoyed a heartwarming, fun-filled day of games and activities. Plus, students got to show off their artwork to their parents and went home with goodies to continue their arts and crafts projects over the summer!

Parent Spa Day

Parents receive massages in a classroom.

Juan Morel Campos Community School is grateful to the incredible parents and guardians who ensured their kids achieved a 90%+ attendance rate this school year! In thanks, staff hosted a Parent Spa Day where parents enjoyed massages, light refreshments, and the opportunity to shop for fresh produce from our food pantry.

Gold Rush Game

A handmade board game titled Gold Rush.

Move over, Hasbro, Nest+M students have created the coolest new board game! They created a game called “Gold Rush,” where the aim is to be the first to reach the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. No luck needed here; our participants used their teamwork, creativity, and ingenuity to get this game off the ground!

We all Scream for Books (& Ice Cream!)

A table with books in front of the Tompkins Cornerstone Community Center.

Summer’s finally here, and Tompkins Community Center knows how to plan the perfect summer day. Host a free community event, invite neighborhood families, and provide tasty ice cream and a large collection of books to add to their home bookshelves. 10/10 summer day!

Nonprofit Communications Awards

Nonprofit communciations awards 2026 proud finalist graphic.

We're excited to share that Grand Street is a finalist for two PR Daily Nonprofit Communications Awards from Ragan Comms for the recent renovation of our website and our children's book, My First Day the Grand Street Way!

Welcome to Around the Settlement, our monthly blog post sharing a deeper look into all of the vital programs and services provided by Grand St. Settlement throughout the Lower East Side, Brooklyn, and The Bronx.

To make sure you don't miss future news, sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about program updates, advocacy actions, and invitations to the best nonprofit fundraising events in New York City!

Happy Father’s Day!

Collage of Father's Day celebrations.
  • Bushwick Child & Family Center (CFC) students whipped up a delicious and nutritious breakfast to share with their fathers and father figures.

  • Fathers and grandfathers in our Senior Housing community joined together for a special and lively Father’s Day celebration!  

  • Fort Hamilton CFC dads stopped by for ABCs–arts, breakfast, and crafts! 

  • Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, which is why our Delancey CFC dads started the day right with their kids!

  • Sunset Park CFC dads were put to the test during a new quiz game: “How Well Do You Know Your Child?” Don’t worry, everyone got an A+! 

  • Donuts with Dad is the new Father’s Day tradition you didn’t know you needed. Pelham Parkway CFC dads and their kids shared a lovely breakfast with the sweet treats.

  • Sunset Park West CFC fathers and father figures served as artist assistants for their kids as they designed and painted their own trinket treasure boxes!

End of Year Celebrations

An Enchanted Forest in the Lower East Side

Teens pose in front of a faux grass and fairy light backdrop in formal dresses.

We hosted an end-of-year formal dance for graduating 8th Grade Rose Center participants! Participants, who have been with us for five years, were the ones who brought the enchanted forest to life. 

That’s the Spirit!
Students pose with their teacher in sport jerseys.

P.S. 241K is in high spirits at the end of a challenging and rewarding school year! Spirit week encouraged students to relax and express their creativity among their peers before they wrapped up the year at a thrilling carnival! 

A Colorful End of the Year

Two participants beaming and covered in powdered colors.

P.S. 297 celebrated the end of the school year with its second annual Color Splash, inspired by the traditional Caribbean festival "Powder Fete".

End-of-Year Showcase

Two teens hug in front of a VIP step-and-repeat backdrop that looks like a movie red carpet.

Williamsburg Community Center hosted its annual End-of-Year Showcase and Award Ceremony. We celebrated and honored our participants for their hard work and achievements, surrounded by friends and loved ones. Participants also got to show off their moves with a dance show!

Let’s Go to the Mall

Participants ride an amusement park swing ride.

To celebrate the end of a successful year, Seward Park Community Center treated participants to a visit to the American Dream Mall! The outing was a treat for graduating students and those who demonstrated positive growth and commitment to kindness throughout the year.

Ice Cream Social

Teens pose with their games and ice cream.

Lower East Side Preparatory High School hosted a mini-ice cream social during lunch for students with improved attendance over the year. We hope to have every student attend next year!

Marcy Party

Afterschool kids celebrate with a Chick-fil-a party.

Marcy Community Center participants held an end-of-afterschool celebration where they received awards for their amazing work during the school year!

BCAM Graduates!

School administrators present graduating high school students onstage.

Brooklyn Community Arts & Media High School celebrates the Class of 2026! Congratulations to these new high school graduates, who are ready to make a difference in the world.

Lyons and Williamsburg Team Up, Move Up

Aerial shot of the audience at a high school graduation.

Lyons Community School partnered with Williamsburg Community Center to hold a special end-of-school ceremony to celebrate the end of the year. Congratulations, graduates, we’re so proud of you! 

Dragon Boat Fest

Seniors in traditional and casual garb celebrating a cultural holiday.

Senior Housing residents brought out their traditional garb and instruments to celebrate this year’s Dragon Boat Festival. The festival is a 2,000+ year-old traditional holiday that features synchronized boat races, musical performances, and eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves).

Growing a Love of Reading

Preschoolers dance along to a teacher's instructions.

Story time can be an exciting and even physical activity! Sunset Park West CFC hosted a local librarian to lead a literacy-focused activity with children. She read them engaging stories and also led them in sing-alongs and dance breaks, all to foster a love of reading and storytelling!

Project DOT Workshops 

Teens listen to a presentation on  healthy relationship dynamics.

Project Speak Out Loud knows how to get work done on the dance floor and in the classrooms! In workshops led by partners at Project Dot, the Spring-Summer cohort has expanded their understanding of health relationships as well as the practice of consent within friendships, family bonds, and community dynamics.

Grand Street Grads

Collage of staff graduates.

Congratulations to Grand Street's recent staff grads, Patricia Allen, Jiang Liu, Sabrina Wu Mo, and Zoey Zou.

Making a Home

A mom and her daughter show off their origami house.

Our Lower East Side CFC parents and children worked on a meaningful art and wellness activity thanks to the Pond Psychology Practice. Families were guided through making origami homes and putting what a family needs to feel safe inside.  

Bridging the Gap

Youth pose in front of a DYCD step-and-repeat.

Roosevelt Cornerstone Community Center participants wrapped up the MY NYC Story program, an intergenerational initiative led by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and NYC Aging. Youth participants were paired with older adults to learn about each other’s experiences and create community-centric projects they later presented at a showcase.

Art and Crafts for All

Teens and seniors work on pottery projects together.

There’s no age requirement for loving an arts and crafts moment! Wyckoff Gardens Community Center seniors and teens came together to work on pottery and jewelry bag crafting for a lovely intergenerational event. 

Her Vision, Our Voice

Young women pose in front of a balloon arch.

This year's annual PowHer Culminating Event, "Her Vision, Our Voice: Celebrating Leadership & Community Impact," showcased the growth, leadership, and achievements of our young women. Through service-leaning projects and community-focused initiatives, participants explored self-discovery, confidence-building, mentorship, and civic engagement. Congratulations to the powerful young women making a difference in their communities!

Aloha to Summer

Two children pretend to lay on the beach donning sunglasses, leis, and other beachwear.

Delancey CFC students said ‘aloha’ to summertime! Our Pre-K classes kicked off graduation with a Luau Day, wearing their snazziest tropical wear and Hawaiian shirts to participate in some fun classroom games. 

Learning to Express Ourselves

A student holds up a flashcard depicting the feeling 'Scared' during an educational presentation.

Lafayette Gardens Community Center participants are getting in touch with their feelings! With the help of Youth staff, participants created a game called “Feelings Flash” where they could identify and share their feelings with others. They leveled up their social and emotional intelligence skills!

Knicks in Five!!

Collage of participants cheering on and supporting the New York Knicks

The Rose Center staff and participants hosted an exciting Knicks versus Spurs watch party during the NBA Finals! Youth participants from the Baruch Community Center and other nearby sites were invited to watch the nail-biter of a game! Even Bushwick CFC kids got involved by making Knicks-themed handprint art!

Mount Eden Grows a Community

Twos taff members table in front of their colorful child and family center.

The school year may have wrapped up, but our Mount Eden CFC staff are growing the Grand Street family in the Bronx! The team has been engaging with the community and enrolling students for the fall. 

Brooklyn Champions

Students receive certificates commendingg their work in extracurricular activities.

MS 582 held an awards ceremony to celebrate afterschool participants who have excelled in this year's competitive team extracurricular events!

Wellness for the Whole Family

Staff and moms play with their babies and toddlers.

Our "LoLos" (Little Ones and Loved Ones) Baby & Me participants and their parents love our socialization and wellness sessions at the Rose Center! Toddlers can participate in music and (very beginner) yoga while parents meet with our Family Resource staff. 

Overflowing with Teamwork

Youth work on a science experiment volcano.

What better way to learn the steps of the scientific method than the hands-on work of building your own volcano? Bushwick Hylan Community Center participants used the power of teamwork, creativity, and their STEAM skills to create some earth-shattering magic (or, rather, science!)

Ready for School: Family Resource Connection Event

Staff table in front of a Traditional Educational Center.

Grand Street's Family & Community Partnership team recently collaborated with Traditional Educational Center to host our Ready for School: Family Resource Connection Event. Families had the opportunity to meet Grand Street staff, learn about the family support services and community resources available throughout the school year.

Play Ball!

A girl's softball team poses showing off their uniforms and gear.

It’s softball season at The Rose Center, and team clinics are in full swing! Beginner and intermediate players are geared up and ready to give their all. Families cheered on the final practice of the year, and the team’s already gearing up for the fall!  

Exploring Japan

Collage of preschoolers enjoying Japanese culture.

Seward Park CFC families have been enjoying a mini-vacation to Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun! Students and parents practiced their origami skills together, relaxed with some watercolor painting, and sampled some classic Japanese treats (mochi was a big hit!) Teachers also created a papier-mache cherry blossom tree!

Community and Nature

A vibrant mural about community and nature, featuring the myth of the world turtle.

Rutgers Community Center walls got a fresh look thanks to Artist Singha Hon, in partnership with Artbridge. Inspired by themes of environmental consciousness and the interconnectedness of community and nature, the mural depicts the life cycle of a tree along with the mythology of the world turtle. 

Teachers vs Students

Students get pumpred up for a volleyball match.

The showdown we’ve been waiting for: Teachers vs Students! Lower East Side Prep Volleyball Coach, Andrew Chan, created the volleyball showdown to ring in the end of the school year. At the end of the tournament, the students were crowned champions!

Sunset Park Children’s Carnival

A girl poses with her father holding Sensory Sand in front of a table filled with goodies and resources.

Families, children, and staff had a blast at Sunset Park's CFC 2nd Children’s Carnival! Everyone enjoyed a heartwarming, fun-filled day of games and activities. Plus, students got to show off their artwork to their parents and went home with goodies to continue their arts and crafts projects over the summer!

Parent Spa Day

Parents receive massages in a classroom.

Juan Morel Campos Community School is grateful to the incredible parents and guardians who ensured their kids achieved a 90%+ attendance rate this school year! In thanks, staff hosted a Parent Spa Day where parents enjoyed massages, light refreshments, and the opportunity to shop for fresh produce from our food pantry.

Gold Rush Game

A handmade board game titled Gold Rush.

Move over, Hasbro, Nest+M students have created the coolest new board game! They created a game called “Gold Rush,” where the aim is to be the first to reach the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. No luck needed here; our participants used their teamwork, creativity, and ingenuity to get this game off the ground!

We all Scream for Books (& Ice Cream!)

A table with books in front of the Tompkins Cornerstone Community Center.

Summer’s finally here, and Tompkins Community Center knows how to plan the perfect summer day. Host a free community event, invite neighborhood families, and provide tasty ice cream and a large collection of books to add to their home bookshelves. 10/10 summer day!

Nonprofit Communications Awards

Nonprofit communciations awards 2026 proud finalist graphic.

We're excited to share that Grand Street is a finalist for two PR Daily Nonprofit Communications Awards from Ragan Comms for the recent renovation of our website and our children's book, My First Day the Grand Street Way!

Join Our Newsletter

Stay up to date with events, programs, or advocacy opportunities to support the Grand Street mission.

Join Our Newsletter

Stay up to date with events, programs, or advocacy opportunities to support the Grand Street mission.

Join Our Newsletter

Stay up to date with events, programs, or advocacy opportunities to support the Grand Street mission.

2024 Grand Street Settlement. All right reserved.

80 Pitt Street, New York, NY 10002

212-674-1740

Grand St. Settlement is a registered 501(c)(3)

2024 Grand Street Settlement. All right reserved.

80 Pitt Street, New York, NY 10002

212-674-1740

Grand St. Settlement is a registered 501(c)(3)