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.

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. 

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.”

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.

Williamsbridge Family Residence transformed into a wicked wonderland this Halloween, thanks to longtime partner Knock Knock Give A Sock, who collaborated with Lev Capital. Families arrived at the Halloween Carnival in costume, eager to dive into an evening filled with spooky stations run by the spirited staff and volunteers.

The carnival offered a thrilling lineup, from cape and mask decorating to mini canvas painting, bracelet crafting, and face painting. Kids delighted in slime-making and pumpkin decorating, and Halloween tunes playing in the background created a perfectly haunted vibe as everyone enjoyed classic games like bag and ring toss. The festivities were fueled by delicious snacks—including hot pizza and fresh popcorn—and kids played together while their parents mingled and enjoyed the holiday spirit alongside them.

“It’s amazing. I love the fact that they did this for the kids. She’s having a blast. I can’t afford to do stuff like this, so it’s nice that we get to share this [experience]—and with other kids, too,” one mother who attended the event with her daughter said.

Stay tuned for more Halloween happenings at HFH Family Residences!

HFH Family Residences had a bustling summer filled with activity and are now transitioning from full-day Summer Day Camp programming to Afterschool programming, while our Early Childhood Education Centers continue as usual with their learning adventures. Check out how they celebrated the end of summer and geared up for the new school year in style!

Allie’s Place wrapped up summer with a lively Back-to-School Bash! The event included a book fair, arts & crafts, and treats—courtesy of the Culinary Team. Staff handed out 50 backpacks filled with school supplies to get students ready for the academic year ahead and volunteers from Joaa’s Luxury Cutz in the Bronx made sure the kids had fresh haircuts to kick off school in style.

Williamsbridge hosted an End-of-Summer Picnic that was all about fun in the sun! School-aged kids received backpacks and school supplies, and families took part in activities like bubbles, chalk, coloring, and sand bracelet-making. The BBQ lunch hit the spot, and the event gave parents and children a chance to hang out, relax, and celebrate together before the busy school year begins.

“It’s nice that they do this for the families,” one mother shared. “He has fun, and he gets to play with other kids. He can’t wait to start school; every day he asks me, ‘Is it today?’ He didn’t have any supplies yet. It comes in handy—all of this—it helps the parents.”

At Clinton, families came together for an end-of-summer/back-to-school celebration. Backpacks were distributed, Family Services handed out books and chatted with parents, and the kids had a blast playing games, including a “guess how many candies in the jar” contest. The upbeat day was filled with music, snacks, and plenty of opportunities for families to mingle. One grandparent shared how much they appreciate these site-wide activities for the family time they create.

Saratoga went all out with a Back-to-School Fashion Show! Following a day of sports activities with Old Navy volunteers, the kids showcased their creativity on the runway with self-designed floral headpieces for their “It’s Time to Blossom” themed event—also their theme for the upcoming school year. Staff also distributed backpacks and school supplies to 61 families.

Saratoga Early Ed hosted a Valentine’s Day bash—parents joined their kiddos for an afternoon of heartwarming fun and learning as they rotated through various hands-on stations including tree stamping with heart-shaped leaves, using droppers and food coloring on paper towels to explore the concept of absorption, and a sensory station where they created pink cloud dough using cornstarch and baby lotion!

In Prospect Afterschool, the Panthers sought to spread smiles with handmade Valentine’s cards for their loved ones.

The HFH Summer Camps team stopped by Saratoga Family Residence to make Valentine’s Day cards with the kids and get the word out about the upcoming camp season. While the kids got crafty with cards, the Camps team chatted with parents to answer any questions they had about HFH Summer Camp.

Williamsbridge Daycare celebrated Valentine’s Day with alphabet-inspired crafts—learning letters while spreading love.