Greetings!

During this unprecedented crisis, our work serving NYC's most vulnerable families is more important than ever. For the past two months, HFH staff have been working tirelessly to alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on families experiencing homelessness. Our education and recreation staff have been providing families with distance learning support and enrichment through virtual programming, care packages, and a dedicated online learning hub at bit.ly/HFHLEARN . Our family services teams have been helping parents navigate the crisis while encouraging self-care and family wellness. Meanwhile, our frontline security and cleaning staff have been diligently working to ensure the safety and health of our residents. All the while, we've seen an outpouring of solidarity, community, innovation, and resilience from our students, staff, and supporters alike, from longtime partners to first-time donors, who've stepped up to provide assistance through everything from handmade PPE to educational supplies.

The following are just a few of our highlights from the past several months. As we look towards the summer, our programming will continue to adapt responsively to the needs of our families. To stay up to date on what's new at HFH, visit us on the web or connect with us on social media.
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Afterschool Adapts: Supporting HFH's K-12 Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic
From an Independent Project Lab to Virtual Craft Club, our Afterschool & Recreation programs are uniquely positioned to safely continue supporting our K-12 students while NYC schools are closed and beyond.

Saratoga Student Featured in Podcast Play Production
Earlier this year, Chrystel, a talented student playwright at Saratoga Afterschool was chosen to participate in Writopia Lab's prestigious Worldwide Plays Festival. She has been working with NYC theater professionals to adapt her play for an upcoming podcast episode.


DMF Youth Goes Virtual with Online Dance Lessons
Our students have been continuing to work on their dance skills and understanding of concepts like growth mindset, mindfulness, and positive affirmations through virtual lessons with longtime HFH partner DMF Youth.


HFH LEARN: Our Favorite Online Learning Resources

We've created a central location where our families can access a list of free, educational websites, videos, and printable PDFs for students of all ages. We've made these resources available to other providers at bit.ly/HFHLEARN.

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www.hfhnyc.org
Early Childhood Education
Virtual Story Time with Ms. Jodi
Ms. Jodi, Director of Childcare at Saratoga Family Residence, released the first in a series of online Story Times for Saratoga’s youngest learners, featuring The Rabbit Listened  by Cori Doerrfeld. Our Early Childhood education staff across sites have been sharing videos like these with students and families via the Remind app.

Ms. Val & Ms. Yanna Lead Students on Virtual Scavenger Hunt

Prospect Early Childhood Education Center has been getting creative with its virtual programming. Join Ms. Val and Ms. Yanna as they explore the five senses and lead students on a color-based scavenger hunt!

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www.hfhnyc.org
FAMILY SERVICES & ADULT EDUCATION
Video: Talking About COVID-19 with Children

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, HFH has been connecting our residents with information on how best to protect themselves and their families.

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www.hfhnyc.org
COVID-19 & Self-Care for Parents: Tips & Resources
With families staying at home together, we know it can be hard for parents to find time for their own self-care. That's why we developed a series of tips for our parents, from staying active to creating routines.

Healthy Microwave Meals Vol. 1: Fast & Affordable Family Recipes
Our culinary education team developed Healthy Microwave Meals Vol. I  to showcase healthy, kid-friendly recipes. We’ve distributed this cookbook at all HFH Family Residences, so that parents and kids can explore recipes and make new memories together.

Gardening at Allie's Place Family Residence
Spring is in bloom at Allie's Place, where fresh spinach, rosemary, and radish leaves have been sprouting at our culinary program's on-site garden.

DONATIONS & VOLUNTEERS
Our Wish List: Supporting NYC's Most Vulnerable Families
In response to questions about how best to support our families during this time of crisis, we've created a list of new toiletries, non-perishables, educational supplies, and other most-needed donation items. To learn more, email GetInvolved@hfhnyc.org .

HFH in the News: IKEA Donates Home Goods & Toys to Saratoga
The Office of the Queens Borough President teamed up with IKEA to distribute donations of bedding, home goods, art supplies, and children's toys to Saratoga Family Residence, along with 14 other Queens-based facilities and community organizations.

100 Vegan Meals Provided to HFH Frontline Workers
Vegetarian restaurant Quantum Leap donated 100 vegan meals to frontline workers at Saratoga, along with 10 other NYC shelters, hospitals, and nursing homes. The donation was a part of the 1975 Meals to Heal Project, a COVID-19 relief initiative created by  Love 2 Yêu, a California-based nonprofit.

'NYC Makes PPE' Donates Masks to HFH Frontline Workers
Thanks to a longstanding partnership with the Children’s Health Project at Montefiore, HFH received a much-needed donation of masks from  NYC Makes PPE , a group of local makers and healthcare professionals.

HFH in the News: Ja Rule Donates 1,500 Face Masks
Rapper and Queens native JaRule donated 1,500 face masks to support staff and families at HFH. The donations were facilitated by  Knock Knock Give a Sock,  an HFH partner that supports New Yorkers experiencing homelessness through sock donations and community events. 

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 700 children and their families each year.
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