Newsletter Issue #46
MAY 2020

TO OUR 37TH YEAR OF SERVICE AND COUNTING!
This April officially marks our 37th year of community service. We are so proud of the work we have been able to accomplish with young people and the community at large. Our legacy has been steeped in a commitment to honor our heritage and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow. We look forward to another 37 years and more!
 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

Happy Anniversary Sesame Flyers, 37 years is no small feat for an organization and for that, I say thank you to our loyal and gracious Sesame community. It brings me great joy to share how awesome and resilient our Sesame community is. What we have accomplished in one month in response to the dawning of this new age is nothing short of extraordinary.

We have restructured the way we do business and brought our programs safely online, but our love for children remains the same. Our staff and volunteers have been swift in adjusting to these changes because of their desire to continue the work we do in the community. We now have a robust schedule of online activities for your children. I hope to see you in an upcoming class. We are also continuing to work with families in crises as you will read about more in this edition and recognize that there is so much more work to be done, especially around our community health, disproportionately ravaged by Covid-19.

Many tough decisions had to be made, from cancelling our annual Labor Day activities to furloughing staff in response to the City's elimination of our Summer Youth Employment and Summer Camps, affecting well over 1,200 of our youths. However, we will continue to make the difference we make day in and day out with your loyal support and donations. You can help us to recover and continue to make the impact that we are making. I urge you to support Sesame this Tuesday in the global day of giving, GivingTuesdayNOW. Giving has never been easier at Sesame. You can simply text “loveakid” to 44321 to make a tax deductible donation today.
 

GIVING TUESDAYS NOW - MAY 5, 2020

#GIVINGTUESDAYNOW is a new global day of giving and unity that takes place on MAY 5, 2020 – in addition to the regularly scheduled Dec 1, 2020 #GIVINGTUESDAY – as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. Let’s come together to create a wave of generosity, citizen engagement, action from business and philanthropy, and support for communities and nonprofits, like Sesame Flyers International, around the world. You can share this campaign on social media with the hashtag #GIVINGTUESDAYNOW and #SPIRITOFSESAME2020 and inspire others to give together even when we’re apart.

HELP US DO MORE

Sesame Flyers International delivers year-round programs that preserve youth, community, and cultural development. Whether it’s serving the younger population by tutoring students, providing safe and nurturing spaces for children to play, organizing community service activities, administering job readiness programs, providing case management and counseling for families in crisis, giving adult learners access to HSE programs and computer literacy, instructing health and fitness, or celebrating the rich traditions of the Caribbean Diaspora, there are few aspects of community life Sesame Flyers does not touch.

As a community based non-profit we have the ability to continue the work we do because of the support of generous individuals, just like you. Your donations are the lifeblood of Sesame Flyers International and allow us to bridge the gap from our other funding sources. Giving a little, makes a big impact.

Please consider making a donation to Sesame Flyers International today. Your donation is tax deductible and goes towards the foundational work we have been doing with young people and the community for 37 years a reality year after year.

To impact a kid today text "loveakid" to 44321 
 

SAVING CARNIVAL 2021

CLICK IMAGE ABOVE TO VIEW VIDEO PRESENTATION

As the Executive Director of Sesame Flyers International, I have a responsibility to share with you our official decision to cancel our initially scheduled plans. We will not be physically participating in NYC’s Labor Day Carnival 2020 - if there ultimately is one - and pivot to join the worldwide creative movement to keep “The Spirit of Carnival” Alive in some other form of virtual celebration.

Worldwide there are currently 2,996,614 confirmed cases of COVID 19 in 210 countries and territories. . 207,023 people worldwide have died so far from the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak as of April 27. United States, which is 4.25% of the world population makes up 26% of those deaths with 55,417. New York State deaths alone from coronavirus is now 16,599, already 8% of the world figure and 30% of all the USA.

As the postponement of carnivals around the world continue, Labor Day Carnival, the largest carnival in North America, is still pending its fate by the Mayor and Governor. Carnival, our cultural legacy, is undoubted also a tremendous economic generator for us and so many business, professionals, individual artist and promoters. This will definitely be a tremendous financial and cultural sacrifice. Carnivals are also ideal environments for contagious viruses like COVID to spread. Without an effective vaccine, which is projected to need another 6 to 18 months to develop, nor a national capacity to test everyone multiple times on demand, social distancing is the only control we know we have to keep our community safe, healthy and alive.

Guided by our scientist, data, facts, history, and common sense, we know the probability of a second wave is very high. More people died from the second wave of the 1918 Spanish Flu than the first wave is a historical fact. As we continue to gradually come down this death curve from a height of 555 single day fatalities on 4/7/20 just three weeks ago, the inevitable relaxation of social distancing during this summer and fall will unfortunately only make the probability of a resurgence higher. Our community in particular our Caribbean community will potentially be hardest hit, but will be blamed for any resurgence if there is a carnival, as surely as the War Bonds parade of Philadelphia in 1918 was blamed, or more recently Madi Gras in New Orleans now taking the heat for that city’s flare-up.

The cancellation of our summer camps and summer youth employment programs, directly affecting well over 1,200 of our youths were not our decisions but a sacrifice we have come to live with for the benefit of our community health. However, participating in a Labor Day Carnival 2020 is our decision to make, and we can’t be short sighted, nor soon forget all of our loved ones and heroic essential workers who made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. If we lost one kid in September due to our participation in Labor Day 2020, its one kid too many and will fly in the face of our most precious moto to Love a Kid today and every day.
 

SESAME PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN
BY LESLYN RAHAMAN, DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR FAMILY SUPPORT

Children, in most societies, are considered “our hope for the future”. However, may times due to no fault of their own, they are abused and neglected. I salute all of my fellow essential workers who are diligent during these challenging times to ensure that our kids are safe. Please assist them with supporting the safety and well-being of our children. If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, please do your part and contact the NY State Central Registry at 800-342-3720. If you believe that a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police department.

A special shout out to the staff at Sesame’s Center for Family Support (CFS) Preventive Program for ensuring that our children remain safe. Thankfully at this time, our staff and the families being serviced are safe and have not been personally affected by the COVID19 virus. We send our prayers for the individuals that we’ve lost globally. Until then remain safe and stay home. If you must go out, please let it be for a pertinent matter. Let’s continue to wash hands, practice social distancing and wear protective gear, always ensuring the safety of our little ones.

We look forward to returning to some state of “normalcy”. Until then, let’s stay connected remotely until we reunite as one…
 

HONORING THOSE WHO HAVE GONE HOME

	CAROL SUTTON-METIVIER Carol Sutton-Metivier, age 65, beloved mother, grandmother and member of Sesame Flyers, was born on November 29th, 1954 to Gladys and Joseph Sutton. She departed this earthly life on March 31st, 2020. She was the first of five children. Carol’s early education in the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago included; Egypt Village Government School, Point Fortin College, & Trinzuela College. She went on to further her education when she migrated to New York by attaining both her both bachelor’s and Master’s Degree. At an early age, she was baptized at the Point Fortin SDA church.
	MARTIN DOUGLAS For over two decades Mr. Douglas was a leader in Brooklyn’s Steel Pan scene, playing his music everywhere, mentoring generations of young players and keeping steel pan music a vibrant part of New York’s culture life. Mr. Douglas also hosted many meetings with his band at the clubhouse. He will be missed by many yet his legacy will live for many years to come.
	DEZ ANN ROMAIN Dez Ann Romain was the principal of the Brooklyn Democracy Academy. Ms. Romain set high standards, communicated a clear vision, and understood how students learn and tracked their progress. She was more than a principal to her students. She secured prom dresses, scholarships and immigration lawyers for her students. She did pushups with the basketball team and she gave haircuts, too. She will be remembered as a teacher and principal who set an example for her students by her vibrancy and perseverance.
	CONRAD IFILL Mr. Ifill was a beloved long-time friend and sponsor of Sesame Flyers. He was the owner Conrad’s Famous Bakery, one of the most well-known Caribbean bakeries in NYC. His mouth-watering baked goods have been a staple in the community for over 31 years. He was a pioneer businessman and community activist, with a generous and giving heart. His love for baking and the community will remain close to our hearts.
	ROY HASTICK Storefront businesses and corporations can thank Roy Hastick for his creation of the New York’s statewide Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Just last year, the Flatbush Caton Market and Hastick’s longtime dream to create a Caribbean American Trade and Culture Center merged in the Flatbush Caton Flats project. His passion and work for our Caribbean communities and small businesses will be felt for generations to come.

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