By Jennifer Cohn
AmeriCorps VISTA: Youth Program Development Assistant
Saturday May 11th was the 9th annual National Arab American Day of Service. With projects in 12 cities across the US, Arab American organizations all over the country demonstrated their commitment to serving and improving their communities. The Arab-American Family Support Center staff organized and participated in 4 projects throughout New York City.
Painting at Khalil Gibran International Academy
AAFSC paint at Khalil Gibran International Academy
AAFSC is the lead community partner of Khalil Gibran International Academy, a dual-language English and Arabic, public high school in Brooklyn. Open to all New York City youth, KGIA offers a competitive, world-class education and is currently in the process of earning International Baccalaureate (IB) accreditation. On Saturday morning, AAFSC staff painted floors, stairs and doors at the school. Principal Winston Hamann thanked the staff for their contribution to the school, stating: “everyone noticed it and was very happy about it.”
Diaper Drive – Brooklyn and Queens
Satisfied client at the Brooklyn office diaper drive.
AAFSC Staff at the Queens office diaper drive
Also on Saturday morning, AAFSC ran two diaper drives at both our Brooklyn and Queens offices. Diapers and wipes were generously donated to AAFSC from K.I.D.S (http://www.kidsdonations.org/). All in all, AAFSC staff gave away over 100 diapers and 100 wipes to community members in Brooklyn and Queens. Staff members not participating in the diaper drives, partook in some office spring cleaning.
Supporting the Boys Club Soccer Team
On Saturday afternoon, staff members cheered on AAFSC’s new Boys Club at their first soccer game with the NYPD United Police Commissioner’s Youth Summer Soccer League. Staff supported the boys by taking pictures, providing snacks and making lots of noise!
Thank you to Khalil Gibran International Academy, K.I.D.S., the NYPD, and all AAFSC staff members who helped make Arab American Service Day a success. Great work!