Newsletter Issue #62
OCTOBER 2021

Executive Director's Message

As we shift from our expansive quick paced summer routines and move toward our slower more intense autumn schedules, meaning more time spent indoors with family, we observe the hours of daylight as they diminish and the temperature as it begins to drop, and the other changes that nature brings us with leaves on trees dressing in their festive autumn colors of burgundy, ginger, and gold, squirrels storing their foodstuffs to survive another winter, and geese gathering in huge flocks preparing for their travels south for the winter, we consider the power of relationship.

I, me, you, we, us. Relationship to each other and to the environment. Relationship demands a delicate balance as our dreams, ambitions, and goals are shared with others and we provide inspiration, support, and guidance to others as they move along their paths. Relationship insists on balance to know when to care for others and when to pause for reflection and radical self-care. Discovering the balance is what relationship is all about.

In this issue we catch up with the SFI COMPASS Program as it moves to a new location, announce the premier issue of our teen magazine, Gen Z, and share with you the events that Sesame Flyers International has been proud to participate in and support.

Sesame Flyers is committed to communicating messages of hope and encouragement to each of you who receive them as we all are finding our way navigating through the Covid fog into a world that is more responsive, more equitable, compassionate, creative, and supportive. Together we meet the challenges before us, together we celebrate the triumphs of a job well done.

That is the power of relationship.

Love a Kid Today and Every Day.
 

Sesame Flyers International At The Breast Cancer Walk

On Sunday October 10th Sesame Flyers partnered with The American Cancer Society for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Coney Island. We shared a sponsor tent with the Lions Club, our volunteers group Team Sunshine interacted with the participants. There were performances by our youth dancers who were posted at a cheer station along the board walk and also in the festival area at the stage. We were represented by a group of 18 that included parents, volunteers, and our SFI Youth Dancers. We will continue to honor survivors and “thrivers” while remembering those we’ve lost, and offer up support to anyone in our community who’s been affected by it. Together, we can make a big difference in the fight against breast cancer.
 

Spotlight On The Lamad Program
Duran Flemming, Middle School Program Director, Lamad Academy

Since the August 24th move of the Middle School OST program to the Lamad Academy Charter School, there have been good vibes and great energy. Program Director, Duran Flemming is getting lots of support from Lamad Academy Founder Rev. Al and much needed office support from Mr. Cockfield. Lamad Academy is a middle school located in Brownsville at 1060 Clarkson Avenue between East 93rd and East 94th streets.

The program is doing well at its new home having relocated from the John Wilson school at IS 211 in Canarsie. Registration is growing at a fast pace and the students love the activities! 55 to 65 students attend the program daily. The students love gaming with Mr. Joshua and sculpting with Ms. Tiffany.

“I want the kids to be engaged and the program running at 100 per cent capacity and connected to the community”, says Mr. Flemming. Working with a new space and coming out of Covid is somewhat of a fresh start with a number of new staff members. Mr. Flemming observes that the students are really happy to be part of the program and he and the new staff look forward to rebuilding the social and emotional skills of all the participants. Always with an inspirational quotation, Mr. Flemming says “Yes We Can!”

If you are interested in registering your middle school child in the OST program at Lamad Academy search for Lamad Academy Charter School 84K956 at Discover DYCD discoverDYCD (dycdconnect.nyc) or email dflemming@sesameflyers.org


 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Leslyn Rahaman Program Director, Center for Family Support

Domestic Violence (DV) continues to be on the rise. Recent ACS findings report that cases flagged for DV have risen from 48% to 60%. The Sesame Flyers International, Inc. Center for Family Support also continues to see a rise in the number of cases involving DV. It has been a consistent element of case referrals prior to and during the pandemic. In fact, two cases referred this week came in with DV as the reason for referral.

Domestic violence is imbedded in our culture with the belief or thought that it is “not our business” or only “between the couple”. I beg to differ! DV affects us more than we know or imagine. The impact is depicted in the children as they’re acting out or being withdrawn in school or the community. It’s rampantly affecting the self-esteem and stability of women or men who are victimized. Yes, men too are victims of DV despite the fact that a large percentage of victims and survivors are women.

The Center for Family Support serves the entire family (survivors and batterers) via case management counseling and referrals to external domestic violence providers, i.e., DV services, batterer intervention programs, play therapy, etc. If you are personally affected or know someone or a family who is experiencing domestic violence, please do not hesitate to contact us for support at 718-221-8881.

Our Virtual Resource Mindset Corner is also available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm-3pm via Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/4364440363 Meeting ID: 436 444 0363.

One tap mobile
+19292056099,,4364440363# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 929 205 6099 US (New York).
 

Gen Z's Voices

Ignorant. Irritating. Troublesome. Temperamental.

When asked to describe teenagers, at least one of these words appears in a census. Yet, one word fails to arise: heard. Amidst protests and petitions, we adolescents struggle to be taken seriously, let alone heard. So on a June afternoon, while my television blared of journalists reporting the return of in-person learning, yet my Instagram feed was flooded with youths calling for attention to the 2021 Israel-Palestine crisis, I instantly knew the theme of Gen Z’s Voices’ first edition.

Finding your voice is more than learning to advocate. It’s to know who you are and what you believe, to grow and use your experiences as the focal point of your activism. Throughout the Finding Your Voice edition, articles including a LaGuardia High School graduate encouraging change through her passion for dance, a nonprofit's mission to combat sickle cell disease, a high schooler’s frustrations with a prejudiced school system, and a remembrance of a Jamaican hero, will all inspire you. I invite you to not only read this upcoming edition of Gen Z’s Voices, but to ask yourself, how am I using my voice?

To check out the Newsletter please follow this link - https://www.instagram.com/genzsvoices/
 

Sesame Flyers International
Calendar Of Events 2021

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