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.

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Block Parties for the Whole Family

Delancey Child and Family Center (CFC) threw a Family Wellness Day for the whole family and the Lower East Side community! The day, centered on wellness, connection, and fun, featured Zumba and meditative activities, family games, face painting, and our own little farmers market! Thank you to our community partners who helped us provide food, wellness support, and community resources for our families in attendance. 

You Scream, Marcy Screams, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Marcy Community Center campers cooled off at the Museum of Ice Cream, whic was a perfect antidote for this summer’s intense heat waves! Participants had the chance to explore the different interactive exhibits, make memories, and, of course, try some ice cream.

A Heartfelt Appreciation

Baruch Elder Services Team (BEST) NORC sent off dedicated volunteer and former BMCC Human Services intern, Kathelyn, as she returns to school to finish her social work degree! Kathelyn, thank you for your dependable and compassionate service to the BEST NORC team, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for you. 

Cookin' Up a Nutritious Workshop

Sunset Park CFC held an informative workshop on nutrition and healthy eating for parents to attend. Thank you, Dr. Lum, for the educational presentation and for helping support and educate Grand Street families!

Global Leaders at ENVSN Fest

Campers from School for Global Leaders were thrilled to attend this year’s ENVSN Fest, sponsored by Foot Locker! ENVSN is a dynamic community organization dedicated to empowering and uplifting Gen Z and Gen Alpha women and femmes of color, so our participants had a fantastic time expressing their creativity while learning from inspirational women entrepreneurs. 

Bye, Bye Summer!

Our three Child and Family Centers in the Sunset Park neighborhood said goodbye to summer by hosting a Family Engagement Day Block Party! Thank you to our supporters in attendance, the firefighters at the neighborhood fire department, Mead Johnson, and NYU Langone: Together Growing Stronger.

Plus, Grand Street made a bonus block party appearance at Council Member Susan Zhuang’s Back to School event!

Let's Play Ball!

Rose Center staff and campers enjoyed a great day at the Mets Game (and enjoyed a glizzy or two, as is baseball tradition). 

Protecting Our Seniors

Grand Street’s workshops and trainings for participants often cover complex and important topics. Our Senior Housing team hosted an Older Adult Abuse Workshop facilitated by Gracie Square Hospital, teaching our participants how to understand and identify types of elder abuse and how to report it. Residents were grateful for the informative workshop.

Classroom Renovation

Roosevelt Community Centers' 4th- and 5th-graders are architects in the making! In collaboration with STEAM professionals, participants presented plans for a classroom renovation project while developing foundational architectural skills and techniques. Thank you to State Senator Jabari Brisport and representatives from the Public Housing Community Fund & New York Building Foundation for supporting this initiative!

Caring for the Whole Family

Grand Street staff got a comprehensive tour of the pediatric and geriatric wings for Bellevue Hospital. Staff learned about the amazing community programs offered by Bellevue and are excited to strengthen these partnerships so our families and seniors can get the care they need. 

Fresh Food at Fort Hamilton

Our tiny Fort Hamilton CFC chefs were joined by their parents for a special cooking lesson on the last day of school! Families had the chance to sous chef for their culinary children as they worked through a simple, nutritious recipe and showed off the child-friendly skills they learned in class. 

Getting Crafty With It

Studio in a School Art worked with our Bushwick CFC preschoolers to learn the basics of 3D tinkering and crafting to create abstract art pieces. Who knew how useful math and engineering were to the artistic process?

From Baruch to the Bronx

Adventure awaits at the Bronx Zoo! Baruch Community Center campers explored the animal exhibits at the world-famous Bronx Zoo, taking the time to learn about animal habitats, wildlife observation, and conservation efforts.

Always Learning

Our Bronx Child and Family Center teams attended a professional development session at Mott Haven CFC. The training provided our newest staff members with additional knowledge on areas such as health, facilities, and education.

Summer Splash

PS241 campers were soaking up the sun this summer, all while staying hydrated! A trip to Splish Splash Water Park was just what they needed to stay cool while celebrating another incredible summer at Grand Street summer camp.

Grand Street Day Volunteers

Our Seniors love participating in and volunteering in activities at Grand Street. Thank you to our amazing volunteers and performers for helping make Grand Street Day the best it can be!

Prioritizing Wellness

Prioritizing wellness and minimizing burnout is a top priority for Grand Street staff. Our Bronx Child and Family Center teams held a staff Wellness training to learn tips on self-care, time management, and community support that they're looking to bring into the new school year.

Seward Park is Sky High

Seward Park Community Center campers were flying sky high at Sky Zone! Campers channeled their athletic abilities as they jumped, climbed, swung, and ran through a series of challenging obstacle courses, all while prioritizing teamwork.

Enrollment is Open!

Our Early Head Start program at The Rose Center is enrolling new families for this fall! Staff and teachers tabled at Grand Street Day to provide information to families in the Lower East Side seeking free, high-quality child care.

The Scientific Method

Gowanus Community Center campers learned that science can go beyond the lab and sometimes, into the kitchen! Campers tried their hand at learning about the chemistry, engineering, and mathematics behind making ice cream, growing gummy bears, building edible cookie houses, and constructing lava lamps. Conclusion: the hypothesis that science can be fun is a success!

Monthly Volunteer Circle

Neighbors came together to share ideas, solutions, and strengthen peer support at Baruch Elder Services Team NORC at this month’s Volunteers Meeting. Vocal volunteers helped highlight community needs, promoted upcoming program activities, and participated in a focus group to brainstorm ways to better serve residents. Thank you to the incredible volunteers for their dedication and leadership in the NORC community! 

Parent Orientation

Parents (and their kids) gathered at Seward Park CFC to learn how to prepare for the upcoming school year, had a chance to meet the teachers, and got excited about joining the Grand Street family!

Entering the Nickelodeon Universe

Rutgers Community Center campers made memories this month during their favorite field trip, an exciting day at Nickelodeon Universe in the American Dream Mall!

National Health Center Week Community Event at Ryan Health NENA

Our Early Childhood and Older Adults staff were thrilled to table at the National Health Center Week Community event at Ryan Health NENA. They had the opportunity to connect with the community members while handing out information about Grand Street's culturally inclusive and high-quality programs and services.

Adventure on Coney Island

Lyons Community School summer campers are an adventurous bunch indeed! Their thrilling roller coaster-filled trip to Coney Island was the field trip highlight of the summer! 

End of Summer Carnival

An afternoon of sno cones, cotton candy, popcorn, and good-hearted team competition made up Beacon Community Center’s End of Summer Carnival.