Dear Friends:

I hope that you are enjoying the seasons’ change and the spirit of renewal that spring brings. Spring is also a time for us here at the 1199SEIU Child Care Funds and Corporation to look back at all the wonderful things we have accomplished and to look forward to the start of the busy summer program season.

Our team understands the challenges of managing work and family life, including accessing affordable, quality child-care and youth programs. Our organization was founded on the notion that if working parents are not worried about their children’s care, they can better focus on their work. This is especially true for the important work of our everyday healthcare heroes.

This past year we celebrated 30 years of the 1199SEIU Child Care Funds. For three decades we have provided quality services to over 400,000 children and families. We look forward to continuing our mission of helping working families access quality and affordable child-care and youth programs for many more! As we move forward with the worst of COVID-19 behind us, we remain committed to providing your families with nurturing and enriching child-care programs and resources in this new day and age.

In this newsletter you will find informative articles about our programs, including how we’re engaging our youth through WorkForce 2000 and the Youth Mentoring Program and helping them create memories with the Holiday Sleep-away Camp Program. You’ll also see what our younger learners are up to at the Future of America Learning Center in the Bronx with a look at this year’s 27th Annual Science Fair. We were also back in person for our 15th Annual Care for Kids Gala this past December and had our work featured in a Fortune.com podcast.

I hope you find the contents of this newsletter valuable, and I look forward to continuing our mission of providing quality, affordable child-care benefits, programs and services to our working families.

Sincerely,

Rossmery Dais
Executive Director, 1199SEIU Child Care Funds
President, 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation

My mom, Andrea Beckford, who is a Registered Nurse at Brookdale Hospital was ecstatic to be able to get me involved in the academic program. During my freshman year of high school, I attended an in-person informational session and had an interview for the program. Not long after the major shutdown due to COVID, I took online classes, such as Algebra 2, Performing Arts and U.S. History, but my favorite was Social Justice. In this class I learned about topics like redlining and abortion. I could say the
same for all teachers, being that every staff member’s top priority was to ensure that all students wanted to participate in the class.

Toward the end of my sophomore year, I interviewed to be a part of the Pre-Registered Nursing Program, which was an unconventional process. All applicants attending a Zoom call had to answer prompts in a group setting, we were quizzed on a lesson regarding burns and lesions, and we had to write a short essay on where we see ourselves professionally in the future. After being accepted, I did not fully comprehend the commitment that this program demanded. While attending online classes, the program prepared me for what college would be like, with lectures from Dr. Blake, writing research papers, taking anatomy and physiology classes, and learning how to cite using APA. Through analyzing case studies and answering practice National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) questions, we learned about the nursing profession and hospital environment.

It was not until I got into the Pre-RN Program that I also had access to a network of resources like a college advisor, scholarships and the ability to network with alumni from the program and professionals who want to help the next generation of healthcare providers. I have been asked about my plans for the future many times since navigating the college application process. I can confidently say that I will strive to become an educator and a mentor in my future career. I will pursue a healthcare career as most of
the college majors I have applied for are Nursing, Biology and Biomedical Engineering. The next step is deciding which college I will attend by the end of April to earn a Bachelor’s degree and further my career.

Among our seven classrooms, FALC Preschool and Pre-K teachers of students ages 2 to 5 spent a month collaborating and planning for an epic outdoor FALC Olympics/Field Day, filled with creative, rigorous gross motor activities and meaningful learning experiences for all FALC children. On Friday, June 17, 2022, teachers brought props, supplies and equipment, such as hula hoops, balls, balance beams, mats and poly spots to transform the tennis courts of St. James Park into a colorful sports arena. This well-orchestrated event was our last center-wide hurrah before the end of the school year.

Each class chose up to two activities to put the children’s skill sets and creativity to the test in a healthy competition in which all were winners! Each class got suited up in bright t-shirts, decorative accessories and/or face paint reflective of a specific color of the rainbow to represent their individual class team. Mr. Kenya kicked off the festivities with a toot of his whistle as teachers did a mock run of the obstacle course, modeling each activity that the children would complete, which were similar to the exercises that they have routinely done in class.

The outdoor experience electrified the staff and children, as they eagerly cheered and laughed while jumping, running and hopping through obstacle courses and using spray bottles in relay races. The staff guided and supported children as they balanced on beams, shot basketballs into a hoop and ran the length of the tennis court. Due to the hot weather, children were given water to stay hydrated and spray bottles to cool off, resulting in some well-received “water spritz fights.” At the closing of the FALC Olympics/Field Day, all of the classrooms joined together to create a grand rainbow portrait and received medals for a job well done. Everyone had an awesome time but were understandably looking forward to returning to the comfort of the air-conditioned Center. This event will surely become a staple of our FALC annual activities based on the successful participation and response.