For Antione Newton, helping people is more than part of the job—it’s what drew him to the work in the first place. As a Driver at Williamsbridge Family Residence, Antione supports families and staff every day by ensuring residents can reach their destinations safely and on time. Drivers at HFH play a critical role in helping families access opportunities that move them closer to stable housing, and Antione embraces that responsibility with care. His steady presence and positive attitude have made him a valued part of the team since he joined in August 2024.

“I’m a people person. I like helping people out, so when I saw the job at a homeless shelter I thought, ‘Why not try?’” said Antione.

Antione’s role includes driving housing specialists and residents to apartment viewings, lease signings, and to pick up the keys for residents’ new homes—critical steps on a family’s path out of shelter. When he is not accompanying staff and families to these appointments, Antione works closely with Partnerships Manager Tierra Gunther to deliver essential items and donations to the shelters. He plays an important role in making sure that the items received from partners and donors are distributed to the families efficiently. He also assists with moving supplies and equipment. Around the building, he is known as someone who is always willing to lend a hand.

Many apartment showings and appointments are far from the shelter, sometimes in cold or difficult weather. Having a dependable driver helps ensure families can attend these important meetings to help them meet their goals.

One of Antione’s favorite parts of the job is accompanying housing specialists and residents to apartments. He enjoys seeing the different neighborhoods and buildings across the city, but what stands out most is seeing the excitement of the families when they are one step closer to having a place of their own. Being part of those moments reinforces the importance of his role in the broader mission of helping families move forward.

Housing Specialist Milagros Gonzalez frequently travels with Antione and describes him as both professional and compassionate.

“He is courteous and very polite to the residents we escort to different destinations. He is an asset to the housing team,” she said. “He travels near and far to get the job done.”

She also emphasized that Antione is intentional about creating a safe and supportive environment whenever he is transporting staff and residents. “He has always been very kind and approachable. If you ask him for help, he lends a hand. He makes people feel good when he interacts with them. He’s there for us, and I appreciate him for that. He is very valuable; we need him.”

Williamsbridge Administrator Alfonsina Gomez noted that Antione connects easily with staff across all departments and is frequently praised by coworkers.

“He gets along with everybody,” she said. “He’s always open to help, learn, listen, and understand. He is very respectful. He is always eager to do the job—and always with a positive attitude.”

Tierra Gunther highlighted his reliability, flexibility, and genuine enthusiasm for the mission behind the work. She also mentioned that donors and partners have commented on how friendly and helpful he is.

“He is always asking questions about programs, donations, residents—he’s not just there to work; he wants to know more about the people that we serve,” she said. “When I think of someone I can really rely on, he’s at the top.”

Each day, Antione aims to show up with a positive mindset. He focuses on “trying to bring in that good energy at work.”

Outside of work, Antione is family-oriented and enjoys spending time with his 14-year-old daughter and his family, which includes eight brothers and two sisters. In his free time, he makes hip-hop music and plays basketball.

Valentine’s Day at HFH Family Residences was filled with sweet treats, thoughtful crafts, and plenty of picture-perfect moments as families and staff came together to celebrate.

At Williamsbridge, the Recreation space transformed into a festive photo op, complete with a Valentine’s Day backdrop where families snapped photos with their loved ones. Between cupcakes and cocoa, there was time for conversation and crafting handmade valentines for friends and family.

Clinton also brought families together for a festive photoshoot, capturing special moments between parents and kids. A highlight of the day was decorating teddy bears’ t-shirts with fabric markers, and the kids were thrilled to name their new companions!

Allie’s Place Valentine’s Bash was a sweet success. Families and staff gathered to enjoy delicious baked treats courtesy of Allie’s Place Center for Culinary Education & Employment’s Lead Chef Instructor Jayda. Sugar cookies became edible canvases as parents and kids decorated their own creations, and the themed backdrop set the scene for festive photos to remember the celebration.

In Prospect Afterschool, the Panthers wrapped up the school day with a treat made with love. They got hands-on chopping and blending their own strawberry milkshakes, perfectly pink and topped with heart-shaped sprinkles.

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.

Hear directly from the HFH Family Services team which includes Case Managers, Client Care Coordinators, and Housing Specialists. They work together to create individualized plans, connect families to resources, and support their transition to permanent housing, helping them thrive long after leaving our shelters.

Across HFH family residences, families and staff came together to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with activities honoring the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. With Spanish as the preferred spoken language of nearly a quarter of families in HFH shelters, these celebrations are an important way to recognize and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of the families we serve.

At Williamsbridge Family Residence, families celebrated throughout the month with a range of activities—from decorating paper calaveras (decorative, often edible skulls used to represent departed loved ones during Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead) to cooking traditional foods like arepas, tacos, and empanadas during culinary classes with the National Enrichment Group. During Zumba classes with Sweet Water Dance & Yoga, families even learned tango and bachata dances.

“Many of the families [who attend Williamsbridge Recreation] come from various Hispanic backgrounds,” said Yasmeen Joyner, Recreation Supervisor at Williamsbridge Family Residence. “These celebrations provided an opportunity for them to share their culture while also learning about others. I’ve seen families share stories about their countries, try their traditional foods, and even learn new words together. I take great joy in creating opportunities that foster stronger connections among the families and provide a space for them to connect with one another.”

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.

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.