UPCOMING EVENTS FOR MARCH 2020

WEDNESDAY MARCH 4, 11, 18, 25, 2020
Sesame Every Wednesday African Dance Class at 7:00 pm

WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2020
Winthrop Beacon Advisory Board Meeting

FRIDAY MARCH 27, 2020
Winthrop Beacon Spring Showcase

BILDERSEE BEACON
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION DISTRIBUTION

WINTHROP BEACON
SUMMER CAMP APPLICATION

JOB OPPORTUNITY

SPONSORS

UNITED STATES CENSUS

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Cultural Center / Saturday Program
3510 Church Avenue . Brooklyn . NY 11203
Phone: 718-693-0500 | Fax: 718-693-2007
Email Address:
info@sesameflyers.org

Winthrop Beacon
905 Winthrop Street . Brooklyn . NY 11203
Phone: 718-221-8880 | Fax: 718-693-2007 
Email Address:
info@winthropbeacon.org

Sesame Flyers International
Center Of Family Support

905 Winthrop Street . Brooklyn . NY 11203
Phone: 718-221-8881 | Fax: 718-693-2007 
Email Address:
cfs@sesameflyers.org

Bildersee Beacon
956 East 82nd Street . Brooklyn . NY 11203
Phone: 718-241-3847 | Fax: 718-693-2007 
Email Address:
info@bilderseebeacon.org

SONYC at I.S. 211
1001 East 100th Street.Brooklyn.11236
Phone: 718-251-2051

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Newsletter Issue # 43
MARCH 2020

 
 
 

 


LOVE IS IN THE AIR
BY KEISHA SYDNEY, OUTREACH SPECIALIST 

Bildersee Beacon had their Valentine’s Day event in partnership with the NYPD Explorers program. Festively dressed in red and pink, over 50 kids from the program where in attendance. They played musical chairs, did arts and crafts as well as enjoying candy and popcorn. They had a great time on Valentine’s Day.
 

 
 


EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

I hope the start of the year has been safe and prosperous for you all. A lot of great work is happening this year in our free community afterschool programs, due to strong leadership and teamwork. I am thankful for a staff that is committed to bringing quality and excellence to our young people day in and day out. On the Carnival side of the agency, I am excited to announce the theme for the West Indian American Day parade is “Spirit of Carnival” - The Spirit of Carnival is the feeling of pure joy and euphoria you experience when all the right elements are awakened and come to life. I believe all the right elements are beginning to line up for us here at Sesame which will provide a memorable 2020.

While many great things are happening in the agency, I would be remiss to not acknowledge recent events such as the passing of Kobe Bryant and young rap artist Pop Smoke. The trauma of these events has truly brought to the forefront the importance of making a difference while you are here and to continue our unwavering work in youth and community development.

In this edition we are giving a special focus to the ground level work with our youth in our programs and also highlight tips around teen mental health. We have to pay close attention to our young people and cherish the spirit of our youth.

One of the most valuable ways in which we assist our young people is by providing jobs through our Summer Youth Employment Program. If you are an entrepreneur or know one, I urge you to consider being a worksite this summer. You can read below for more information.

 


HOOPS DREAMS
BY ROUDY ST. FLEUR

We all have dreams and we aren't allowed to measure whose dream or what dreams deserve more support than others, but if you are aware of inner city circumstances most kids face, then you will be a little more attentive and empathetic to stories and efforts to making these dreams come to life. A dream of being able to provide for the next generation to come, a dream of supporting underserved community of kids, young adults, and single parent households is something Team Live Action wants to accomplish and see it through. Kwame Hinds is a product of such as mentioned and like most kids who try to find a way, Kwame saw an outlet through the game of basketball which he has been playing since he was a kid as well.

Kwame created Team Live Action in order to provide an opportunity for kids of all ages to develop basketball skills and receive mentorship but most important, show them there's a positive way of making something of themselves. Throughout the summer of 2019, Team Live Action took to the local school yard at the Sesame Flyers Winthrop Beacon. Kwame chose this location because he too played there and saw it was lacking in the same programs that once kept him productive and safe as a youth.

Believing highly that hard work and positivity will help one achieve their goals in life, Kwame sought out support in many ways to grow the program. Upon having the Team Live Action middle school team participate in a local one-day tournament, he reconnected with a childhood friend and basketball mate Roudy St. Fleur, who happened to be hosting the league where Team Live Action participated. Team Live Action went on to win the tournament, Kwame was happy his kids achieved this accomplishment and grateful for the experience, but he saw that partnering with Roudy would have a greater impact on the community. Kwame shared with Roudy that they both have a commitment to sharing their experiences with young people in order to develop not only their skills in sports but in life as well.

Understanding Roudy's experience in sports and extensive resume working creatively with reputable sports brands, Kwame knew that these are the examples not only this program needs but the community as a whole. Since August of 2019 Kwame and Roudy have been taking responsibility and sharing valuable volunteered time serving the youth.

On January 18th, 2020 Team Live Action in conjunction with MKN+MVZ New York, which is Roudy's creative service company, put together a local fundraising game for the 11 and under team to raise not only funding for the programs but awareness and community support. Team Live Action took to the indoor courts at the Winthrop Beacon in Brooklyn and competed against another local program "Inbound Technic" led by Perry Daniel. From start to finish, the game was intense due to the passion and effort of the kids but also the energy and support from family and friends surrounding the moment. Young and old made their way to spectate and cheer on the youth making their way to a win for their respective teams. Team Live Action would go on to win again in a distinct professional fashion and both teams congratulated each other and took to the courts for a powerful team photo with all their supporters in the facility that day to capture unity and support.

For more info and inquiries about the youth programs provided, please follow via Instagram @Team_LiveAction and @MKNMVZ
 
 


MUSIC AND MENTAL HEALTH
BY KIANNA PAUL, GET R.I.C.H PRESIDENT

Teens are all about music which is something in life they will always have.

Pop songs like Lean Wit Me by Juice World or Myself by Nav encourage teens to drink and smoke weed to the point that it can contribute to teens abusing substances that hurt their body and brain. In the song Myself by Nav, the hook of the song says “When I’m sober I just don't like who I am, pour me up a 4 (which is a purple drink created by combining prescription grade cough syrup with a soft drink and hard candy) and I'll feel like myself again, roll me up some dope and I'll feel like myself again…” And in Lean Wit Me by Juice World the second line is “Will I die tonight? I don't know, is it over? Looking for my next high, I'm looking for closure”, The songs make it seem okay to solve problems by taking drugs and drinking their problems away. Which just causes them more problems, solving none.

Many teens are depressed, and taking drugs may cause them to hurt themselves and possibly end their life. I want to bring attention to this behavior so teens know there are other ways to feel better. When listening to music it isn't always a good idea to try what the song is saying. Teens need easy ways to get out of the habit of messing with their mental health and learn and practice tips in keeping the right mindset.


Kianna’s Stay On Top of Your Mental Health Teen Tips:

  • Stay Active (Have a dance session for 15mins. every day or some physical activity you actually enjoy)

  • Stay away from drugs (And, if already doing drugs, be courageous and seek help)

  • Good eating habits (Avoid late night snacks, eating well makes you feel good)

  • Getting enough sleep (7-8 hours is good. We spend a lot of time up at night on social media instead of getting rest)

  • Focusing on your strength (Speak kindly to yourself, you are listening!)

  • Talk to someone when in a bad space (When you are not a good space, it’s like walking in a bad neighborhood late at night, don’t go alone)

 


SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND BUILD YOUR BUSINESS - BE A 2020 SYEP WORKSITE

Do your part to give a young person the experience of a lifetime. Entrepreneurs, small and large have an opportunity to show youth ages 16-21 how to establish good work habits and learn what it means to run a business. Hosting a young person this summer for six weeks from July 6 to August 14 for 25 hours per week can make a life changing impact.

Participants who are randomly selected by a lottery are matched with a worksite for the summer in a variety of industries from health care to finance. The SYEP program is a success because local businesses have shared their knowledge and wisdom while connecting our young people to the benefits of a good work ethic.

Last summer over $164 million dollars in city, state, federal, and private funds were allocated to this vital citywide program. This dollar amount was met by over 151,597 youth who submitted applications to participate, while funding allowed 74,453 youth to be enrolled in the program, 39 per cent of whom were Brooklyn residents and 44 per cent were of African descent. 13,157 local businesses large and small, including those in the private sector, throughout New York City provided our youth an opportunity to experience the rigors and rewards of employment.

Sponsored by the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, the SYEP program has implemented web based application and payroll systems for the participants. Participants are issued debit cards and those who have bank accounts are paid through direct deposit.

Older Youth earn NYS minimum wage and learn time management, fiscal responsibility and how to contribute as a member of an effective team. SYEP Participants spend their summer putting into practice the prized 21st century skill set of innovation, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Youth aged 14 and 15 participate in Project Based Learning experiences related to growing industries. Here they develop the soft skills required for success including team work, creativity, and customer service. Youth who participate in the Project Based experiences can earn up to $700 in stipends.

In addition to developing job skills through work or project based experience, part of each summer’s experience includes Work Readiness training that investigates the areas of Work Readiness, Financial Literacy, Higher Education Exploration, Career Exploration, and Health Education. Among the concepts discovered by SYEP participants, is the range of options available to them after high school, how to think proactively about managing money, and how to incorporate elements of a healthy lifestyle into a daily routine.

If you own a local business, you can provide a work experience to a young person that will last a lifetime. Worksite applications are available now, get started with the ONLINE PRE APP HERE. Contact sfisyep@sesameflyers.org for a hardcopy application. The worksite application deadline is May 13, 2019. For more information, CLICK HERE FOR THE DYCD LINK.

 


UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2020

APRIL

WEDNESDAY APRIL 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2020
Sesame Every Wednesday African Dance at 7:00 pm
SECOND BILDERSEE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

THURSDAY APRIL 9 TO FRIDAY APRIL 17, 2020
Spring Recess (DOE Schools Closed)
SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2020

Easter Sunday
FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2020

Winthrop Beacon Family Event

MAY

WEDNESDAY 6, 13, 20, 27, 2020
Sesame Every Wednesday African Dance Class at 7:00 pm
SATURDAY MAY 9, 2020
Bildersee Beacon Health Fair
SUNDAY MAY 10, 2020
Mother's Day
SATURDAY MAY 16, 2020
Winthrop Beacon Health Fair
MONDAY MAY 25, 2020
Memorial Day (Programs Closed / Schools)
MONDAY MAY 25, 2020
Memorial Day Sesame Atlanta Carnival
FRIDAY MAY 29, 2020
Winthrop Beacon Family Event

JUNE

THURSDAY JUNE 4, 2020
Bildersee Beacon Advisory Board Meeting
THURSDAY JUNE 4, 2020
Chancellor Conference Day
(Winthrop Beacon Open, Bildersee Closed / DOE Schools Closed)
FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2020
Winthrop Beacon End of Year Showcase
TUESDAY JUNE 9, 2020
Clerical Day
(Winthrop Open, Bildersee Closed / DOE Schools Closed)
FRIDAY JUNE 19, 2020
Juneteenth
WEDNESDAY JUNE 10, 2020
Winthrop Beacon Advisory Board Meeting
SUNDAY JUNE 21, 2020
Father’s Day
FRIDAY JUNE 26, 2020
Last Day of Public School

To Be Announced
Sesame: Father’s Day Dinner
To Be Announced
Caribbean Heritage Cultural Gala
To Be Announced
Kiddies Launch
To Be Announced
Summer Youth Employment Program Registration

SAVE THE DATE
SESAME FLYERS ANNUAL SPORTS DAY

JULY

SATURDAY JULY 4, 2020
Independence Day (Observed Friday the 3rd)

To Be Announced
Summer Camps Opens
To Be Announced
Summer Youth Employment Program Begin

AUGUST

FRIDAY AUGUST 7, 2020
Calypso Fridays

To Be Announced
Block Party

SEPTEMBER

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2020
Kiddies Carnival
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2020
Brooklyn Labor Day Carnival Parade - Eastern Parkway
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2020
Sesame Flyers International Last Lap Lime

OCTOBER

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7, 14, 21, 28, 2020
Sesame Flyers Every Wednesday African Dance Class Open to Public and Practice
7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
SATURDAY OCTOBER 31, 2020
Halloween

To Be Announced
Saturday Program Open for Registration
To Be Announced
Breast Cancer Walk

NOVEMBER

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2020
Daylight Saving End
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 4, 11, 18, 2020
Sesame Flyers Every Wednesday African Dance Class Open to Public and Practice
7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2020
Veteran’s Day
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2020
Thanksgiving

To Be Announced
Sesame Flyers International Thanksgiving Celebration
To Be Announced
Children’s Thanksgiving Celebration

THURSDAY 26 & 27, 2020
Thanksgiving Recess (Schools closed)

DECEMBER

THURSDAY DECEMBER 24, 2020
Christmas Eve
FRIDAY DECEMBER 25, 2020
Christmas Day
SATURDAY DECEMBER 26, 2020
Kwanzaa
31st New Year’s Eve

To Be Announced
Children’s Holiday Party
To Be Announced
SFI Parang

Winter Recess (DOE Schools closed)
 

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