Greetings!

HFH transitioned from summer to fall programming with lots of time in the sun and family fun. Allie's Place K-12 Afterschool & Recreation became the "Allie's Gators" with a new mascot that came to life thanks to the creativity of students and staff. The HFH Research and Policy team published Spring and Summer Snapshots examining resident enrollment in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and a look at pregnant and "new" parents living in HFH family shelters. The warm weather allowed Summer Day Camp to give students a chance to enjoy more in-person activities including Summer Carnivals and the Saratoga Olympics to exercise the body and mind. S.T.E.A.M. and the Saratoga Financial Credit Union were also a big hit with the kids. Students at HFH received needed school supplies just in time for a successful new school year. As summer came to a close, students prepared to go Back to School with Old Navy with Bronx and Queens locations not only donating backpacks, school supplies, and clothing but also getting involved with outdoor events at the sites. 
Connect with us:
Official Outreach Website for Allie's Place Center for Culinary
Education & Employment Now LIVE
HFH launched an official website to highlight Allie's Place Center for Culinary Education & Employment. The site showcases the purpose of the Center, includes a virtual tour of the culinary space, and provides information on culinary workshops so that those eligible for the free culinary program can get connected right away. The Center, which opened last year, is an employment training and placement center designed to prepare adult students for employment in a variety of food industry settings, including commercial and institutional kitchens, restaurants, cafes, and cafeterias. Our new website is geared toward potential students, caseworkers, employment specialists, and others who are working with clients on obtaining sustainable employment in the food industry. Currently, the center is open to parents experiencing homelessness who live in one of HFH's four family residences. Stay tuned for expansion details as we open the program up to other NYC family shelters and the broader Soundview community in 2022.
Introducing the Allie's Place Afterschool Mascot: Allie's Gators
After much brainstorming, collaboration, and collective creativity, Allie’s Place K-12 Afterschool & Recreation has their mascot. Staff and students alike are thrilled about having a welcoming alligator as their mascot and becoming the “Allie’s Gators.” Victoria, 13, sketched the original alligator which was refined by HFH's graphic designer with input from kids and staff along the way. Go Allie's Gators!

HFH Spring and Summer Snapshots
HFH's Research and Policy Team released two snapshots highlighting Resident Enrollment in Disability Programs and New Parents at HFH Family Shelters. Take a look at HFH's Research and Policy team's findings on HFH resident enrollment in disability programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). These programs provide resources to those who are unable to work due to a disability or to low-income parents caring for children living with complex disabilities. Just over four percent of HFH clients are enrolled in one or the other with
an average SSI/SSDI payment of $770 per month, barely covering half of the median price for a rental unit in NYC. The Summer 2021 Snapshot examines information provided by new parents living in HFH's
four family residences. “New parents,” refers to individuals who are pregnant or have a child under the age of two. One in three clients at HFH family residences (35% of the population) fall into this category. This snapshot looks at demographics, previous living accommodations, access to healthcare, and other data with the goal of offering shelter providers a look at new parents at HFH and aiming to start a critical conversation about ways to orient services to meet their needs.
Students Dove Headfirst into Olympics, Science, Financial Literacy, and More with HFH Summer Day Camp
This summer, students enjoyed getting back to in-person programming and spending lots of time outdoors. Learn more about these exciting activities below.
Celebrating Summer with
Food Truck Fun
HFH Collaborator, KidCare, helped bring a "summer carnival" to each family residence with hands-on activities and food trucks. The events gave families an opportunity to have fun together and for staff to sign families up for programs, building important connections all around.

Saratoga Summer Olympics
Saratoga held their first ever Summer Olympics; competitions included a wheelbarrow race, tug of war, and a spelling bee—to exercise the mind, as
well as the body.
S.T.E.A.M.
All three Bronx sites learned about science, technology, engineering, art, and math during their time participating in S.T.E.A.M. this summer. The innovative activities included growing butterflies from caterpillars and setting them free to creating their own pottery that would later be “fired” at HFH’s own kiln at Saratoga.

Saratoga Financial Credit Union
Saratoga Afterschool & Recreation founded the "Saratoga Financial Credit Union." The mission of the credit union is to “teach financial literacy rooted in values of leadership and integrity.” Students have the opportunity to earn "money" by demonstrating behaviors such as trustworthiness, caring, and citizenship. They can then spend their “rec” bucks at the local “store” managed by kids in the program.
Students Gear Up for the Semester with Backpacks and School Supplies
Students were given all the essentials for the new school year. The Brooke Jackman Foundation donated backpacks filled with school supplies to all four HFH family residences for students from Kindergarten to fifth grade. Saratoga received a special delivery of backpacks from the office of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. Boxes of school supplies including items needed for specific grades were given out as well thanks to Volunteers of America.
Back to School with Old Navy
Students at the HFH family residences in the Bronx geared up for the new school year with the help of Old Navy, which has been teaming up with HFH since 2017. Seven local Old Navy stores attended a special event at Williamsbridge Family Residence where students chose from a variety of backpacks filled with notebooks, folders, markers, hand sanitizer, and many more school supplies. At Saratoga Family Residence, students put on a fashion show for their friends and family courtesy of local Old Navy stores. Store employees from several local stores donated new and gently used clothes for the on-site donation closet. Kids, their parents, and staff dressed up and showed off their fashions, and incredible style down a home-made red carpet to the sounds of DJ Kev White.

As always, our work wouldn't be possible without the staff, partners, volunteers, and supporters who ensure that Homes for the Homeless can continue to provide support for over 725 children and their families.
Connect with us: