This
program provides high-quality, theme-based educational and
recreational services to children from 3-6 p.m. every school day and
during the summer holidays. It has augmented the number of children it
serves to 80. Participants learn to design and take responsibility for
their own projects, taking advantage of a print-rich environment and
growing technological resources, which include a modern computer lab
donated by the Hispanic Federation of New York through a technology
grant.
In one
such 1997-98 project, ten 9-12-year-old girls formed the Nueva
Generación Video Project, creating six videos for cable’s Manhattan
Neighborhood Network. With volunteer expert guidance from a
professional film and video editor, the girls carried out every part
of the project from scriptwriting through production, post-production,
and presentation at conferences.
In other
1997-98 projects, the children learned about the African roots of
Dominican culture, and wrote and staged a play about the experiences a
child goes through when immigrating to New York. They listened to
Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky in preparation for a visit from the
Juilliard School of Music, and became acquainted with the paintings of
Picasso and Van Gogh. The heart of the program is the Library, created
in collaboration with the nationally-known library authority Julia
Reed Palmer. All the children collaborate to run the library which
they use to read for pleasure and to write research papers on program
themes.
Between
1997, and 1998, 20-25 parents attended monthly meetings on parenting
and community topics, volunteered to scour and paint the center, and
donated supplies.
During July
and August, children participate in a comprehensive day camp, taking
part in both academic and recreational activities. Twice a week,
campers go on field trips to interesting locations ranging from the
Museum of Natural History and the Intrepid to the Bronx Zoo and Yankee
Stadium.
