SESAME FLYERS INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED
3510 CHURCH AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11203

Newsletter Issue # 15
March 2017

Sesame Flyers Celebrates Black History Month

On Friday, February 17th Sesame Flyers hosted its annual Black History month “Coming to America,” at the LIGHTHOUSE located at 905 Winthrop Street. The event featured various youth led cultural performances, arts, and poetry.

The event, attended by approximately 100 friends, family, and neighbors, featured performances by students from the Winthrop Beacon, the I.S. 211 Afterschool Program, and The Sports and Arts School Foundation. Their performances included a steel pan showcase, a Langston Hughes and Tupac poetry recital, and African dance.

The highlight performance was titled “Breaking Alternative Facts,” which featured dance performances that challenged black stereotypes.

“I think it is important that our kids understand that we are more than our stereotyped representations in the media. The importance of this event, moreover the importance of Black History Month, is to show our youth that we are more than our stereotypes. Our history is a great history made of up exceptional individuals. If our children see that, they are more likely to follow these examples and more likely to succeed” said Ashley Dunlap, the event’s coordinator. "Our children took these performances seriously. They wanted to say something. They wanted to honor their Black History."
 

Executive Director's Message

Dear Friend,

This March as we celebrate National Women’s History Month and Social Work Month, we are reminded of how important it is for us to continue honoring and empowering the women of our communities. For the past three decades Sesame Flyers International has developed programs that aim to establish this belief. Additionally it is important that we honor the countless individuals dedicated to social work. Without them our work here at Sesame Flyers would be impossible.

For over three decades our great social workers have served the East Flatbush, Canarsie and Brownsville communities, helping these communities overcome challenges through effective and dedicated programs. One of these critically important programs is the SFI Center for Family Support, a preventive services program, which helps families with children at risk of abuse or neglect, take charge of their lives.

In honor of both National Women’s History Month and Social Work Month, we have included two inspiring stories of women who joined the SFI Center for Family Support and gained a sense of empowerment.

Sesame Flyers International continues to serve over 5,000 families and is dedicated to providing families in our community with services such as tutoring young students, providing safe and nurturing spaces for children to play during the summer, organizing youth-led community activities, job readiness programs, providing case management and counseling for families in crisis, giving adult learners access to HSE programs and computer technology, or celebrating the rich traditions of the Caribbean Diaspora. Sesame Flyers is ready to help you become a valued member of this vibrant community.

Our staff and volunteers have been engaged in the lives of our community and we remain committed to creating spaces and places where our children can thrive. The demand for services has been steadfast. While we are encouraged to do more, we can’t do it without your support. So I am asking that you please consider donating today. Thank you in advance for your support and dedication to Sesame Flyers International. We continue to be dedicated to you!

Sincerely,

Curtis Nelson
Executive Director
 

Reminder!!
Sesame Flyers International, Inc. Student Scholarship Application Are Due Soon.

We would like to remind you that the Sesame Flyers International, Inc. 2017 scholarship applications are due Monday, April 3rd. Awardees will be honored at the 8th Annual Scholarship & Awards Gala in May. With the high demand, students are encouraged to apply early. Scholarships include the McChad Magloire Scholarship, Melissa Hunte Scholarship, Jumoke McKenzie Scholarship, and the Chairman’s Award Scholarship.

The 4 scholarships have different eligibility criteria so please choose carefully prior to submitting an application.

CHAD MAGLOIRE SCHOLARSHIP CLICK TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION


Created in the name of the late Chad Magloire (1998), who was our first Winthrop Beacon Youth Council President. This scholarship is awarded to a member of the Youth Council at our Beacon Programs who is graduating from High School and going on to College.

Eligibility Requirements

Must be a 2017 Graduating High School Senior
GPA - 80 and above
Plan to attend an accredited four year college or university
Demonstrate commitment to community service and leadership
Complete Scholarship Award Application
Complete Scholarship Essay

MELISSA HUNTE SCHOLARSHIP CLICK TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

Created in the name of the late Melissa Hunte (2005), a member of the Sesame community who was an advocate for deserving youth. This scholarship is intended to provide assistance to a young person currently enrolled in college who is active within our agency, who volunteers time to the community, and who has an unwavering desire to succeed in life.

Eligibility Requirements

Must be enrolled in college or university
Must be an active member of Sesame Flyers Youth Activities
(Steelpan Orchestra/Cultural Dance/Youth Council)
GPA – 3.0 and above
Demonstrate commitment to the Sesame Flyers mission
Demonstrate financial need
Complete Scholarship Award Application
Complete Scholarship Essay

JUMOKE McKENZIE SCHOLARSHIP CLICK TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

Created in the name of the late Jumoke Mc Kenzie (2009), who was always resourceful and reliable, an avid steel pan player, and Youth Council member. This scholarship is awarded to an active participant of Sesame Flyers Youth Activities (Steelpan Orchestra/Cultural Dance/Youth Council) who demonstrates these leadership qualities.

Eligibility Requirements

Must be a 2017 Graduating High School Senior
Must be an active member of the Sesame Flyers Youth Steelpan Orchestra
GPA - 80 and above
Plan to attend an accredited four year college or university
Demonstrate commitment to community service
Complete Scholarship Award Application
Complete Scholarship Essay

CHAIRMAN'S AWARD SCHOLARSHIP CLICK TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

Created by Sesame Flyers International Chairman, Raymond A. Luke and recognizing the importance Information Technology and the improvement it has made to the lives of many citizens of the world, this scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a college degree in Information Technology who is also a participant and contributor to Sesame Flyers programs in an active or volunteer role.

Eligibility Requirements

Must be a 2017 Graduating High School Senior
GPA - 80 and above
Plan to attend an accredited four year college or university
Intention to pursue a major in Information Technology or any of the STEM majors
Demonstrate commitment to community service and professional achievement
Complete Scholarship Award Application
Complete Scholarship Essay

The application deadline is April 3, 2017. To receive an application, questions or more information contact: development@sesameflyers.org
 

Success Stories At Sesame Flyers' Preventive Service Program

(All names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the family, we wish them well)

One year ago Ms. Sandra was referred to Sesame Flyers’ Center For Family Support – Preventive Program (PPRS) due to a domestic violence dispute that occurred with Mr. Turner in the presence of their children, Kyle Turner (5) and Krystal Turner (3). Police were involved, but no arrests were made. An order of protection was placed against Mr. Turner, and he was to stay away from the home.

Ms. Sandra signed and accepted services on March 10th 2016 and was referred to counseling at Help Roads where she completed all of her sessions. The counseling sessions at Help Roads have brought about constructive behavior for Ms. Sandra and have helped her to communicate and speak about her feelings, rebuild self-esteem, not feel ashamed, and have the ability to move forward. Ms. Sandra has “enjoyed the process, and it has made her happy.” Kyle and Krystal are doing well academically and are in a stable and loving environment with their mother. Since the incident, the family has become stronger. Ms. Sandra has explained everything to her children and has always been honest. The respect and relationship they have with each other is beautiful.

The family’s tenure with Sesame Flyers International expired on February 23rd. With the benefit of case management, counseling, and domestic violence safety planning, the family will continue to move forward with their lives.
 

16 Year-Old In Danger Of Failing Out Of School Gets A Second Chance

(All names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the family, we wish them well)

Ms. Sonia (67), who is legally blind, used to reside in Queens with her daughter Lil P who is 16 years old, but they both were transferred to a shelter in Brooklyn. Lil P attended a great high school in Queens. However, because of the school’s distance from the shelter and due to a lack of financial resources, Lil P decided that she was no longer going to attend her classes. Additionally, Lil P was being teased and picked on by her peers and felt that her only escape was to cut school and not attend class. As a result of these choices, Lil P was failing all of her subjects in school and was on the verge of being expelled from school. A case was opened with ACS against Ms. Sonia for Educational Neglect.

Ms. Sonia signed up for services at the Preventative Program and was advised that Lil P needed to transfer to a school in Brooklyn that was closer to the shelter. Sesame Flyers’ Preventive Program set up a meeting with the Principal and Guidance Counselor of Lil P’s school in Queens and the staff there agreed that Lil P should transfer schools. The transfer process took three days to be completed.

Sesame Flyers met with the new principal and the social worker in the Brooklyn school and they all felt like this new school in Brooklyn would be a better suit. The school was only five blocks from the shelter, and it was a new start for Lil P. Lil P’s progress report as of (02/2017), reports that she’s currently passing all her classes, and she has no tardiness or absences since she signed up for her new school.

About Our Preventive Services Program at Sesame Flyers International INC

When a family functions well, children do better. That’s the fundamental tenet of the SFI Center for Family Support. Existing since the early 90’s, the Preventive Services Program provides an array of family-focused interventions that help enhance family relationships and alleviate stressors to improve child safety. Case Planners in the preventive services field are typically assigned to families with indications of abused or neglected children. Case Planners assess the needs of both the child and the family, facilitating measures to avoid foster care when possible, and ultimately working to preserve the family unit. Through the Case Planner's efforts, families operating in dysfunctional processes have a chance to restore order to their lives, while the children are better positioned to thrive in the outside world.