This holiday season, HFH Family Residences marked the holidays with gatherings that brought families together across our programs. From festive parties to cozy traditions, these celebrations would not have been possible without the generosity and support of our donors and partners.  

Thanks to our amazing partners, every child in our shelters received a holiday gift this season—from toys and board games to coats, baby essentials, hygiene kits, spa bags, hot cocoa kits, gift cards, and more. We are very grateful to ADP NYC, Alston & Bird, Area 53, Citibank, Community District 8, Ferox Ninja Park, Girl Scouts Staten Island, Good+ Foundation, Grace Church School, Hollis Lions Club, JFK Terminal 7, Knock Knock Give A Sock, K&L Gates, Lufthansa's help alliance Americas, Merl Grove High School Past Students' Association, MLB Store NYC, Nasya Batian/Cambria School of Excellence, New York Cares, Off Broadway Theater, Old Navy, Projects with Care, Rap4Bronx, Rockaplay Social Club, St. Paul Episcopal Church, Stifel Financial, Stogie on the Rocks, The New York Times, Trade Coffee Co., and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Phi Zeta Zeta Chapter for helping ensure families had what they needed while kids experienced the joy of opening a gift. 

Allie's Place was filled with holiday cheer thanks to a toy drive and festive celebration hosted by Community District 8, complete with sweet treats and family photos by the tree. Rap4Bronx returned with their annual holiday party—featuring snowman figurine decorating, a catered lunch, Polaroid keepsakes, and surprise gifts—while Chef Jayda and the Culinary Team rounded out the celebrations with a hands-on holiday cookie decorating event and Afterschool hosted a festive dinner and New Year photoshoot for the kids. 

The MLB NYC Flagship Store's holiday squad—reindeer, elves, and Santa included—stopped by Clinton to deliver gifts, take family photos, and spread cheer, knocking the holidays out of the park. 

Prospect welcomed a mischievous Grinch for a holiday photo celebration with Santa and his elf, complete with cocoa, cookies, and printed keepsakes for families. Afterschool programming carried the fun through the season with Grinch bingo, ornament decorating, and a cozy movie night. 

Saratoga Afterschool transformed into a charming German Christmas Market thanks to Lufthansa's Help Alliance Americas, where kids enjoyed fresh waffles, cookie decorating, games, and Polaroid photos before Santa closed out the celebration with gifts. 

Saratoga Early Ed became a winter wonderland as families gathered for an afternoon of holiday art-making, hot cocoa, and gooey s'mores alongside their little ones. 

Williamsbridge families kicked off Christmas Eve with a cozy PJs & Pancakes celebration, followed by photos with Santa, December birthday recognition, and a holiday movie marathon hosted by the Rec Team. 

HFH Family Residences marked the Halloween season with costumes, crafts, and community.

Allie’s Place kept the holiday energy going all month long. In Afterschool, students painted pumpkins—thanks to a donation from Old Navy—and decorated them with silly and spooky designs. They also ventured to the NY Botanical Garden with NYPD Community Affairs for The Nightmare Before Christmas light show, soaking in a dazzling spin on a seasonal classic.

The building hosted Halloween movie nights for the whole family, featuring Hocus Pocus, Coco, and The Addams Family, all crowd favorites. The fun continued with an Afterschool Halloween party full of dancing and musical chairs, with costumes on full display. Festivities wrapped with a final Costume Party where staff and families arrived decked out in Halloween flair—complete with music, treats, and creativity galore.

Prospect Afterschool transformed Halloween into a delicious science experiment. Students created their own Jack-o’-lantern soda floats, starting by tracing faces on clear cups, frosting the rims, dipping them in Halloween sprinkles, and pouring in orange soda. A scoop of vanilla ice cream set off a fizzy reaction as carbon dioxide escaped the soda, forming bubbles and foam. The activity delivered a hands-on lesson in chemistry—and a tasty experiment worthy of a treat.

Saratoga Early Ed took part in a lively pumpkin exploration—offering a sensory learning experience where little ones observed pumpkins up close. Through feeling the textures and examining the seeds, they practiced fine motor skills and scientific curiosity. Kiddos also trick-or-treated throughout the building, stopping by Family Services, Safety, Admin, and Afterschool departments to show off their costumes and collect candy.

Williamsbridge brought together multiple celebrations in one fun-filled afternoon—they hosted a combined Halloween party, October birthdays celebration, and magic show. Families arrived in costume and enjoyed hands-on activities like pumpkin painting, shared cake, and gathered for a thrilling magic performance.

Clinton Family Residence hosted a Halloween hangout where families donned their best costumes, kids received ghoulish goodie bags, and families had a chance to connect over music and treats.

Excited for the new school year, families at HFH residences came together for back-to-school celebrations filled with backpacks, games, sweet treats, and more. While the festivities set the tone for a fresh start, the rising cost of school supplies continues to burden families everywhere. This year, we are especially grateful to our generous donors and volunteers, whose support ensured HFH kids had what they needed to head back to school with confidence.

At Clinton, families picked up bookbags and supplies to get ready for the new year. One father made a point to stop during the festivities to say, “Thank you so much for giving these supplies to my son.” A third grader-to-be shared her own excitement: “I love school. I have my friends. I like math.”

Saratoga families gathered at the outdoor space for a day of celebration. Kids ran around the basketball court, hula-hooped, and played sports while enjoying face and body painting. A snow cone truck let them mix and match their own flavors, and balloons and brand-new backpacks proved to be the highlight of the day.

At Allie’s Place, families filled the Afterschool & Recreation space for a back-to-school celebration. The Afterschool, Administration, and Family Services teams hosted tables with information on programs while giving out backpacks, books, supplies, and Metrocards. Sargeant Damico and the NYPD Community Affairs team stopped by with toys and games, while the Culinary team provided snacks of cupcakes, churros, and fruit medleys.

Williamsbridge Recreation hosted its annual celebration with plenty of activities to kick off the year. Families enjoyed a magician, face painting, and cotton candy while kids picked up backpacks and supplies. The Rec team decorated the space for the occasion, and families snapped Polaroid photos to mark the milestone.

These celebrations wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our partners and donors. A special thank you goes to the Brooke Jackman Foundation, Old Navy, the Hollis Lions Club, the Rosedale Lions Club, and JFK Millennium Partners for helping ensure that every kid at HFH walked into the school year prepared and confident.

At HFH Family Residences, Mother’s Day was marked with shared meals, thoughtful gifts, and opportunities for connection. Each site celebrated in its own way, bringing together staff, families, and community partners to recognize and appreciate all of the wonderful mothers.

Clinton hosted a lively afternoon with a catered lunch and interactive games like musical chairs and the balloon stomp challenge. Organized by the Family Services team, the event created a fun, festive atmosphere where staff and residents could connect in a relaxed setting. Toiletries and beauty care items were also distributed to mothers as thoughtful gifts.

Allie’s Place held a Mother’s Day Luncheon with the Culinary Team preparing a delicious meal enjoyed by over 120 residents and staff, with support from the Afterschool, Admin, and Programs teams. Each mother received a self-care-themed gift bag assembled by the Afterschool team, along with “spa jars” donated by Old Navy. NYPD Community Affairs officers and Old Navy volunteers joined in to mingle and help make the day extra special.

Williamsbridge Family Residence welcomed back Trinity Baptist Church for their second annual Mother’s Day visit. The church provided a soul food meal—fried chicken, collard greens, string beans, candied yams, and macaroni and cheese—catered by Bed-Stuy Fish Fry, and donated beauty and hygiene items that staff packaged into gift totes for the moms. Residents had the chance to relax, enjoy their meals, and spend time catching up with one another while the women of the church offered kind words and support. Throughout the event, clients shared how happy and special the church and HFH staff made them feel. “No matter where you are in life, in situations or circumstance, know that people love you,” said Phyllis Wallace of Trinity Baptist Church—a message that resonated and left many feeling seen and celebrated.

Allie’s Place Afterschool recently embarked on a culinary journey, experiencing the rich flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine through a hands-on mini mezze platter workshop. Led by NAYA, a partner of Allie’s Place Center for Culinary Education & Employment, the workshop introduced the students to a variety of traditional dishes while allowing them to build their own flavorful platters.

“We wanted to show kids that healthy food can be fun, colorful, and exciting,” said Amy Wasylyk, Vice President of Culinary at NAYA. “By building their own mezze boards, they could explore new flavors and ingredients in a hands-on way, making nutritious eating feel approachable and enjoyable.”

The kids learned about staple ingredients and dishes commonly found in Middle Eastern cuisine, including hummus, figs, and a variety of fresh vegetables. For many, this was their first time tasting these foods! The interactive experience not only expanded their palates but also encouraged them to engage with food in a new way.

“Food is a gateway to culture, connection, and curiosity,” said Amy. “At NAYA, we celebrate the rich flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine, and introducing kids to new ingredients like hummus, za’atar, and sumac at a young age helps expand their palates and appreciation for different cultures.”

“I am going to tell my mom all about this—that we got to make food and eat and talk about vegetables,” one excited student in Afterschool shared.

The workshop fostered an environment of discovery, with many kids asking thoughtful questions about ingredients and how they are used in cooking.

“We hope they discovered that healthy food isn’t just good for you—it’s also delicious and fun to create,” said Amy. “We wanted them to feel empowered to try new flavors, get creative with their meals, and see food as a way to express themselves.”

We’re grateful for this collaboration with NAYA and look forward to continuing to work together through our Culinary program and beyond.

HFH Family Residences have been staying busy over the past few months—learning, engaging with community partners, and celebrating the season. From hands-on lessons in our Early Education programs to exciting Afterschool activities and festive holiday events, families and staff have made the most of winter.

In our Early Education programs, the young learners explored the Clothing and Tree units through interactive lessons. In Saratoga Early Ed, the kids created self-portraits using textures and patterns to express their unique styles. Their alphabet exploration led them to focus on the letter P for Pajamas, designing their own paper pajamas while connecting letters to real-world concepts. Prospect Early Ed took a hands-on approach by washing classroom smocks and doll clothes—building life-skills while fostering teamwork and responsibility. They even built a classroom washing machine for their dramatic play area. Meanwhile, Saratoga Early Ed’s Tree Unit encouraged students to learn about how trees grow and what they provide. After exploring different fruits that grow on trees, they blended their discoveries into smoothies—a fun and nutritional snack.

The Afterschool programs kept kids engaged through exciting partnerships and skill-building activities. Young photographers at Williamsbridge sharpened their skills with Kids With Cameras, learning the basics of DSLR photography while experimenting with focus, exposure, and composition. In Allie’s Place Afterschool, kids stayed active through the cold months with hip-hop classes led by National Enrichment Group, building confidence and rhythm. Cooking has been a key focus at both Saratoga Afterschool and Williamsbridge—also with National Enrichment Group. At Saratoga, the kids have been learning essential kitchen skills and nutrition basics, while at Williamsbridge, parents and kids cooked side by side, making dishes like Caesar salad and chicken fettuccini Alfredo.

Families across our residences have embraced the spirit of celebration, marking Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, and Black History Month with engaging activities. Allie’s Place Early Ed honored Black History Month by learning about artists like Alma Thomas and Jean-Michel Basquiat, inspiring children to create their own vibrant masterpieces, while Prospect Afterschool discussed influential Black leaders and crafted collages filled with empowering quotes and images that celebrate Black history. Saratoga Afterschool is also preparing for their annual Black History Month Showcase—stay tuned! In Allie’s Place Afterschool, kids explored Lunar New Year traditions, discovering their Chinese Zodiac signs and playing New Year Bingo. Valentine’s Day was also a highlight—Saratoga Early Ed hosted a gathering where families decorated picture frames and created sensory water bottles, while Allie’s Place held a Valentine’s Day Jam featuring outreach tables, a makeup giveaway, and a spread of sweet treats prepared by Allie’s Place Center for Culinary Education & Employment.

With spring around the corner, we look forward to even more opportunities for creativity and connection across our programs.

The holiday season at HFH Family Residences was a time for connection and celebration, as families and staff came together for festive gatherings. From crafts and tasty treats to shared meals and visits from Santa, here’s how the HFH community marked the season.

Families at Allie’s Place warmed up with cocoa and crafts at a holiday gathering hosted by RAP4Bronx. They personalized mugs and decorated frames for holiday Polaroids while sipping hot cocoa—a joyful way to come together and spread holiday cheer.

Allie’s Place Early Ed brought the holiday spirit to life with a Christmas lunch for families. They enjoyed a delicious meal, took family photos, and the kids surprised their parents with framed holiday portraits that made the day even more special.

Santa made special stops at Prospect and Allie’s Place with the HFH Summer Camps team. They snapped festive photos with the kids and their families, spreading holiday cheer while building excitement for HFH Summer Camps 2025.

Lufthansa’s help alliance Americas brought the holiday magic to Saratoga Afterschool. The kids explored holiday traditions from around the world—including topping fresh Belgian waffles, decorating gingerbread cookies, and learning about German Christmas markets. They also played musical chairs, snapped Polaroid photos, and created holiday-inspired art.

Saratoga Early Ed turned into a holiday candyland for a special gathering with families. Everyone joined in on the fun, diving into sensory play with fluffy fake snow, warming up with hot cocoa, posing for festive family photos, and creating colorful beaded “candy” jewelry and holiday-themed art.

This Thanksgiving, families across HFH Family Residences came together to share meals, create festive crafts, and celebrate their cultures and traditions. Here’s a look at how they celebrated!

The Culinary Team at Allie’s Place Center for Culinary Education & Employment made a carefully crafted Thanksgiving feast for the families at Allie’s Place. Residents picked up to-go bags brimming with herb-roasted turkey, buttery garlic green beans, homemade cranberry sauce, freshly baked dinner rolls, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, and mini pumpkin pies.

Students in Allie’s Place Afterschool kicked off their Thanksgiving celebration posing for photos with their inflatable turkey. They then shared a festive dinner with friends, taking time to reflect on what they were most thankful for this year.

Families at Clinton gathered for a Thanksgiving celebration, enjoying a delicious turkey meal together. The day was filled with games, good food, and time to connect with the Clinton community.

Thanksgiving at Saratoga Early Ed brought together creativity and cultural traditions. The kids worked together to create a vibrant turkey centerpiece out of fruit kebabs and gave paper turkeys unique hairstyles at a “Thanksgiving barbershop.” Later, families joined in to decorate wreaths, share music from their cultures, and celebrate diverse Thanksgiving traditions.

At Allie’s Place Early Ed, the kids worked together to create a colorful turkey snack using graham crackers, cheese, and fruit—practicing their “cooking” skills along the way by learning how to safely cut fruit with kid-friendly knives. Parents also joined for a Thanksgiving lunch and family photos.

Families joined the Prospect Afterschool kids for a Thanksgiving event that brought everyone together. They decorated their own placemats and, after enjoying the delicious food, wrapped up the celebration with a lively dance party.

This autumn, HFH Family Residences were alive with seasonal festivities, from Halloween to Día de Los Muertos. Here’s a look at how the HFH community came together to celebrate!

Thanks to a donation from Village Community School and volunteers from the NYPD Community Affairs team, Allie’s Place Family Residence kicked off Halloween with a costume distribution event. Families chose the perfect disguise with the help of volunteers and staff before painting pumpkins, jamming out to bewitching tunes, and enjoying treats from the Culinary Team. Later in the week, they rocked out at a Halloween bash featuring games, crafts, and a costumed Family Services team leading everyone in a Halloween-inspired Electric Slide.

At Allie’s Place Early Ed, the littlest trick-or-treaters donned their best costumes and paraded through the halls, stopping at Administration and Family Services offices to collect sweets and spread the spooky spirit.

In honor of Día de Los Muertos, culinary students at Allie’s Place Center for Culinary Education & Employment whipped up a traditional feast. From Mole Pipián Verde to sweet Calabaza en Tacha, the workshop highlighted dishes that bring families together in celebration of life and remembrance.

Clinton Family Residence hosted a fang-tastic Halloween gathering with a special visit from MLB Store NYC. Families, decked out in costumes, came for pizza, candy, and a gourd-geous line-up of activities, including a classic bean bag toss.

Prospect Early Ed’s little artists dove into pumpkin painting with autumn colors galore! They experimented with mixing colors as they brought their fall masterpieces to life.

Saratoga Afterschool brought down the haunted house with a Halloween performance. The kids took to the stage in their creepiest costumes for choreographed dances that thrilled their friends and family.

Saratoga Early Ed’s Halloween parade and costume party were a scream! After trick-or-treating around the building, families joined the kids for pumpkin painting, witch hat decorating, and ring toss—with Halloween-themed treats to match the spook-tacular celebration.

Williamsbridge Family Residence was transformed into a wicked wonderland courtesy of Knock Knock Give a Sock and Lev Capital. Families enjoyed a lively carnival, complete with cape and mask decorating and slime-making.