October 2009
Bronx Center Holds its First Fall Festival
Astor knows that when children have the opportunity to “just be children” and participate with their parents and siblings in family-focused activities, cherished memories are created and lives can be transformed. The Lawrence F. Hickey Center for Child Development (a therapeutic early childhood development program) in the Bronx held their first Fall Harvest Festival on October 21, 2009 to provide just such an opportunity for the children and families in their programs, and it was a big hit!
A Taste of the Country Comes to the City
Children enrolled in the Lawrence F. Hickey Center (a.k.a. the Little Red Schoolhouse) and their families had the opportunity to participate in a fun-filled day that included carnival games, pony rides, a scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, pumpkin decorating, a hay maze, and face painting. They were joined by children and families who graduated from the Center last year and currently attend a therapeutic program at Astor’s Tilden site, also located in the Bronx. Fun snacks such as popcorn, fresh orchard apples and cotton candy were also served as a special treat for the children.
Hickey Fall Festival Has Far-reaching Effects
“This type of activity was a first for many of the children and families in the Bronx. The opportunity for the children to be with their families in a fun and stress-free situation had an overwhelmingly positive impact on both the children and families. In addition, giving parents and guardians a chance to further interact with our staff and see them as partners working with them and their children is beneficial to all involved. Events like the Fall Harvest Festival are enjoyable and have far-reaching positive effects that are felt by staff, children and families for years to come,”
says Joan DiBlasi, Assistant Executive Director, Astor’s Bronx Community-Based Behavioral Health & Prevention Programs.