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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Mentor and Mentee Meet-Up

We had the pleasure of hosting Aïcha Bamba, local and state political practitioner and Bridges-NY mentee of CEO Robert Cordero! The Bridges-NY Fellowship empowers the next generation of NYC civic leaders, connects them to professionals in politics and advocacy, and matches them with a mentor on their Advisory Council. Thank you for stopping by, Aïcha!

Block Party at Sunset Park

Sunset Park (and Sunset Park West) Child & Family Center came together to host a summer block party! Families and neighbors gathered to enjoy performances by our friends at Bilingual Birdies, food, games, crafts, and even a magic show! Attendees also received resources and learned more about Grand Street's programs. Thank you to Assemblymember Lester Chang and staff from Councilmember Susan Zhuang's and Congressman Dan Goldman's offices for joining us!

New York Aging Summit

Grand Street staff attended City & State's Inaugural New York Aging Summit. The event brought together experts to address age-friendly care, ageism, the caregiving crisis, and the changing needs of older adults. We’re grateful to have gotten the chance to attend!

Bronx Family Day

We partnered with our friends over at The Bronx Children’s Museum to host a Bronx Family Day! Children and their families were able to play and explore the museum’s interactive exhibits, receive Grand Street resources and goodie bags, and learn about the childcare opportunities available at our new Head Start sites in The Bronx. 

Youth Roundtable on Gun Violence

We had the privilege of hosting Representative Dan Goldman's Youth Roundtable on Gun Violence at our Community Center at 80 Pitt Street. Young New Yorkers spoke on how gun violence has affected their lives and neighborhoods, and offered their unique perspectives on how Congress can support meaningful change.

FreeArts at Seward Park

FreeArts NYC volunteers stopped by our Seward Park Community Center for an artsy day! Our participants were paired with volunteers whom they got to know over a tasty lunch and icebreaker activities. Children then had the opportunity to collaborate with their mentor to create various art projects and crafts for the rest of the day. 

Brooklyn Navy Yard Excursion

Our Executive Team visited the Brooklyn Navy Yard to meet with its President & CEO Lindsay Greene. The shipyard is now home to dozens of small businesses and manufacturers, food vendors, and exhibits. Our team and Lindsay discussed potential partnership opportunities and issues relevant to small businesses and working families in Brooklyn. Thanks for having us, Lindsay!

Finance 101 with Chase

Chase Bank is helping teens build real-world money skills through new financial literacy workshops at our Best Buy Teen Tech Center. These sessions give young people the tools they need to make smart financial choices now and in the future. We’re grateful to Chase for providing this valuable support and investing in the next generation!

Campers on a Magic Carpet Ride!

Rutgers’ campers took a field trip to see Broadway’s Aladdin! While they traveled to the theatre via subway instead of a magic carpet ride, campers agreed the show really was “A Whole New World.” 

Fourth of July Celebration

Baruch Elder Services Team (BEST) NORC hosted a spirited Fourth of July celebration featuring lively musical sing-alongs, refreshments, and games. Some participants were inspired to speak on their meaningful immigration experiences, connecting with their Grand Street community as they shared their stories.

Cooking with a Healthy Twist

Marcy Cornerstone Community Center participants joined Chef Naima in the kitchen for some healthy cooking at Cookshop class! The dish this month was Healthy Pizza, which used a combination of apples, green and red peppers, chickpeas, and pita. Participants enjoyed practicing their skills in the kitchen and snacking on a delicious, nutritious twist on a classic favorite.

Keeping Cool at Sunset Park

Sunset Park participants know how to make a splash on Summer Water Fun Day! Water play at school is a great way for children to socialize and collaborate with friends, improve their motor skills, and cool off in the heat of summer. 

Audio Advice with UrbanX

Youth participants at Williamsburg Community Center attended the first of six sessions with the popular father and son hosts of the podcast UrbanX. Students were introduced to the hardware and software they would use in their sessions. We can’t wait to see what the next generation of podcasters has in store for us!

Talent is Timeless

Our Older Adults got talent! Essex Crossing Community Center was filled with creative energy and vibrant performances for this year's NYC Aging's Talent is Timeless contest. From dancing to original music compositions to operatic singing, the competition was fierce. Congratulations to all of our contestants, and to the three finalists who advanced to the next round and competed against the Older Adults Centers throughout the City!

Just Keep Swimming

Baruch Cornerstone Community Center participants are learning how to splash responsibly at the Making Waves Summer Swimming Program! Participants have been “diving” into their free swimming lessons as an opportunity to learn proper water and swimming safety skills. 

Crazy Hair (and Hat) Day

New fashion trend alert as Sunset Park takes a Crazy Hair Day seriously! Participants (and staff) expressed their creativity and personality by sporting elaborate hairdos, silly accessories, and funky hats to show off to their friends.

Checking out the Kiki Scene with Project Speak Out Loud

Project Speak Out Loud is back for summer programming and ready to kick off their Summer-Fall cycle! PSOL members had the pleasure of visiting the Hetrick Martin Institute to watch the talented youth of the Kiki Scene perform and network with other LGBTQIA+ youth, all through the lens of ballroom/vogue culture.

Traveling to the Mesozoic Era

Gowanus Community Center campers took a trip uptown…and back in time at the Museum of Natural History! Participants had a chance to explore the different exhibits of the Museum’s vast dinosaur fossil collection and learn about the historical and scientific significance of “the Age of Dinosaurs.”

Celebrating Baruch's Summer Birthdays

BEST NORC held a joyful birthday celebration in recognition of the community’s summer-born participants. Vibrant music, lively dancing, fun games, and delicious treats from Mrs. G's Services Home Health Aide Company made it a summer birthday celebration to remember. 

A Visit from The School of The New York Times

The School of The New York Times Summer Program provides high school students with an opportunity to learn from the award-winning journalists at The New York Times. As part of their program, students meet with non-profit organizations around the city to get a behind-the-scenes look at their work. Thank you to the School of NYT students for visiting our Grand Street headquarters!

Field Trip to Laser Bounce

Williamsburg Community Center campers had a blast on their Laser Bounce field trip! A day of exercise and playing with friends was in full swing as they scaled indoor rock walls, went “swimming” in the ball pits, and tested out those indoor trampolines!