MercyFirst Unveils New Life Skills Classroom
Friday, 26 October 2012 00:00
New kitchen at Syosset service agency teaches young people important skills
On Friday, Oct. 5, MercyFirst celebrated the grand opening of the new Life Skills Classroom on its Syosset campus with a breakfast made by the students. This classroom has been recently expanded and renovated by a group of volunteers from the Interior Design Society, Long Island Chapter.
These individuals approached MercyFirst with this renovation back in the spring and spent the summer turning this room into a state-of-the-art kitchen facility and gathering place. This room is housed on the Syosset campus where 122 young men and woman reside.
These young people have been traumatized, have grown up without parents, been a part of a family on the brink of disaster and have lost hope for the future. This new classroom—an expansion of the current Independent Living Program—will teach these young people new life skills including grocery shopping, budgeting, cooking, baking, proper place settings, dining etiquette and gathering as a community to share a meal and discuss their day.
At the grand opening, a teen commented, “The new kitchen is awesome! I had fun cooking breakfast in here!” and “Thank you to the designers who built us a new room so we can learn how to cook.”
A special thank you goes out to IDS Designers Pay It Forward! members Ruth Seidenberg, Nancy Ganzekaufer, Bonnie Reich and Debbie Viola who organized and coordinated the project with over 20 industry partners: Interior Design Society, Long Island Chapter; The Carpet Cleaning Guy; Caesarstone; Cousin’s Furniture; Custom Finishes and Murals by Debbie Viola; Daniel J. Tuttle Plumbing; Davis & Warshow; Distinctive Granite and Marble; Edgar & Christian Painting; Fiorano Tile, Garage and Beyond; Hampton Appliance; Homestead Window Treatments; LI Laminates; Angela Mangels, RA, AIA, NARI; Heather Sanderson, HLS Expediting; Segarra Electric, Inc.; Sherwin Williams; Symmetry Closets; Z Carpentry Inc.; 1-800-Got-Junk; Windowscapes Unlimited; Alan and Diana Kaell; Andrea Tudda, Jr.; Venezia Tile Marble & Granite, Inc. and Sonoma Tilemakers.
Headquartered in Syosset, MercyFirst is a not-for-profit human service agency founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1894. MercyFirst provides an integrated continuum of care for over 4,000 traumatized and neglected children, teenagers and their families at 15 sites throughout Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties.
News
Saturday, 15 June 2013 00:00
A vehicle accident left a motorcyclist and his passenger dead following an accident on the New York State Thruway. The fatal motorcycle accident occurred at 1:10 a.m. on Sunday, June 2 near Exit 16 in Woodbury, the Associated Press reported.
According to officials, a Suzuki motorcycle operated by Rafaelito DeJesus, 23, of Valley Stream was headed north on the Thruway when he was hit by another vehicle.
Friday, 14 June 2013 00:00
The New York State Senate today passed a bill to protect young and inexperienced drivers by helping to remove distractions that could lead to accidents. The legislation. sponsored by Senator Carl Marcellin (R, Syosset), prohibits the use of cell phones—including hands-free devices—by drivers who hold learner’s permits.
“Young and inexperienced drivers, holding only a learner’s permit, are behind the wheel for one purpose—to learn how to safely operate a vehicle. These drivers need their full attention on the road and for the task of becoming a responsible driver,” said Senator Marcellino. “Even the best teenage drivers don’t have the judgment that comes with experience. Until a new driver has some skill and experience, the use of cell phones while driving should be banned.”
Sports
Thursday, 06 June 2013 00:00
This spring, in anticipation of fielding their strongest Varsity Baseball squad since the program began eight years ago, Portledge decided to change leagues from IPPSAL (Independent Private and Parochial Schools Athletic League) to the Private School Athletic Association and Athletic Conference of Independent Schools (PSAA/ACIS Alliance), in hopes of finding stronger and more consistent competition. As a newcomer to the Alliance League, which consists of independent school teams from all over the metropolitan area, the Panthers were placed in the 10-team 2nd Division.
It didn’t take long for Portledge to demonstrate the rapidly developing quality of their baseball program, as the Panthers hammered their way to a regular season mark of 9 wins and 1 loss. Moving on to the league playoffs, Portledge quickly dispatched their quarter and semi-final foes before heading to the championship game against Bay Ridge Prep on May 21 at MCU (Municipal Credit Union) Park in Brooklyn.
Thursday, 06 June 2013 00:00
The weather was blustery but hearts were warm at the SYAC Pony League All-Star Game, held at H.B. Thompson Middle School last month.
Thirty specially selected girls who play in the Pony League (grades 2-3) of SYAC Girls Softball put on a fine show for the bundled-up fans. They provided a barrage of hitting, combined with great fielding that ended rallies, sometimes by double plays. Eight dads who volunteer as coaches in the SYAC softball program, assisted the players.
Calendar
Child Abuse Prevention Services 15th Annual Golf Outing Benefit
Monday, June 17
Photo Benefit for Little Shelter Animal Rescue
Saturday, June 29
Options For Our Aging World Family & Caregiver Resource Fair
Saturday, June 29
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