3rd Quarter Newsletter, September 28, 2024
What an incredible 2024 summer camp! For six weeks, we kicked off the season at our new downtown Peekskill location, the hub of local activities, and welcomed over 30 excited students. The students had a blast making s’mores, playing games, hiking, swimming, gardening, paddle boarding, kayaking, and so much more! We divided them into Explorers (KG – 2nd Grade), Discoverers (3rd – 5th Grade), and Pathfinders (Middle School), with older students developing their paddle boarding and kayaking skills. New this year, we invited a guest nutritionist who taught students the importance of healthy eating and helped them prepare nutritious meals for seniors at the Peekskill Nutrition Center. We also held a mini Olympics, led by Coach Ted, where students competed in fun, active challenges. Special shoutout to Vanessa, our Program Manager, for her amazing leadership, and to our volunteers, counselors, and partners, including SNAP-edu, Regeneration Farms, Keaton’s Kids, Hudson Valley H2O, Inner Being Yoga, Coach Ted, and Wild & Bright LLC, for making this season unforgettable. One parent shared, ‘The camp exceeded my expectations and was a blast for my two kids.’ Thanks to all who made this summer one to remember!
Empower-ED in The Gambia: A Transformative Journey of Cultural Immersion and Global Impact
This summer, our students embarked on a transformative journey to The Gambia as part of the immersive EmpowerED trip in partnership with Starfish International. The trip was more than just travel; it was an opportunity to broaden their perspectives, embrace new cultures, and empower themselves through global experiences—critical elements of our curriculum that help shape future leaders.
During their time in The Gambia, the students witnessed a historic moment when the country upheld its ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), a significant victory for women’s rights. They joined Starfish mentors to experience this powerful event, which deepened their understanding of social justice and advocacy. The students also connected with Starfish volunteers from Spain and San Diego, strengthening international ties and friendships.
Our students explored local markets, purchased vibrant fabrics, and participated in a heartfelt welcoming ceremony hosted by the Starfish mentors. One of the most memorable moments was sharing a meal prepared by Mama Sarr, the matriarch of Starfish, to honor the Muslim New Year. Her blessing and devotion filled their hearts, bodies, and spirits, making this journey truly unforgettable.
Cultural immersion like this is vital to inspiring and empowering the next generation of changemakers.
Empowering Young Men: A Journey Toward Healthy Masculinity in The Gambia
During our trip to The Gambia, our Executive Director, Ridvan Idara, facilitated a Healthy Masculinity program with the teenage boys of Starfish International. It was a powerful experience that underscored the importance of engaging men and boys in discussions around these critical topics to reduce violence against women. With the guidance of A Call to Men and their LiveRespect Curriculum, we explored concepts such as the Man Box, consent, sexual harassment, sexual assault, objectification, and more. The young men expressed that, for the first time, they had the vocabulary to articulate the issues they were aware of. They spoke candidly about their struggles to break free from the constraints of the Man Box and pledged to support each other after the program, inviting other young men to join them in exploring healthy masculinity. This video, produced by the Starfish men, captures what they learned from this impactful experience, emphasizing that open dialogue among men and boys can foster a culture of respect and contribute to ending violence against women.
Building Momentum for Fall: Exciting New Developments
Following our Nature Connection and Cultural Immersion trips, we spent August preparing our new space to welcome students for the fall programs. Numerous community partners have visited to learn about our upcoming initiatives, including a notable visit from the Executive Director of New York Presbyterian Hospital, who has pledged support and partnership with NECS in the future. Our Assemblywoman, Dana Levenburg, invited our Executive Director, Ridvan Idara, to be a guest on her podcast to discuss building community through the arts. On September 30, our fall classes are scheduled to kick off with a diverse range of both new and returning art programs. We are excited to offer more programs for elementary students and are actively working on expanding our music production studio and Pathways to Career program. It has been a fantastic summer filled with enriching programs and planning for a bright future!
To learn more about our programs and to sign up, email info@necspace.org or call (914) 930-1777 Please consider supporting NECS by becoming a Community Steward at this LINK.
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