Underwater Adventures: The AAFSC’s After-School Program Visits the Aquarium

Students enjoy the aquarium.

Last weekend the AAFSC’s after-school program visited the New York Aquarium (insert: www.nyaquarium.com). Accompanied by New York Cares (insert: www.newyorkcares.org) volunteers, students saw sharks, jellyfish, electric eels, stingrays, penguins, and more. Aquarium volunteers were also on hand to answer student questions and provide exciting facts about the underwater world. According to one student, “the trip to the aquarium was really fun because I got to spend time with fun volunteers and I got to see cool animals!”

Brother and sister wait outside the aquarium, eager to explore the inside.

The trip to the New York Aquarium was part of New York Cares “Urban Adventures” program, which pairs local volunteers with youth groups, such as the AAFSC’s after school program, for monthly field trips. This academic year, the AAFSC partnered with New York Cares on adventures to the Natural History Museum, Byrant Park, the Statue of Liberty, and a pumpkin patch in New Jesrsey. In March the students from the AAFSC’s after-school program will visit NBC studios.

Students brave the cold for a glimpse of the penguins.

The AAFSC would like to thank New York Cares volunteers, especially trip coordinators Sabrina and Ronnie, for making these trips possible. If you are interested in volunteering with the AAFSC as part of the Urban Adventures program, visit the New York Cares Website or contact Jake Keyel at 718-643-8000 ext. 39.

Students loved learning facts about the underwater world. These two students were facinated by the electric eels, reading all the information available and asking lots of questions of the volunteers.

Take a Pledge to End Relationship Violence

Take a Pledge to End Relationship Violence is part of the Arab-American Family Support Center’s initiative to promote healthy relationships between families, couples, and friends. We believe that everyone has the right to a healthy relationship and we hope that you will join us in taking a stand against relationship abuse by making a pledge.

Project Reach Honors AAFSC’s Lena Alhusseini among “Womyn Warriors”

On Thursday, February 9th, Executive Director, Lena Alhusseini, will be honored by Project Reach at their 40th Anniversary Gala, “Womyn Warriors & Allies: A Call to End Sexism, Misogyny, and Homophobia.” Project Reach is a youth and adult-run, multiracial, multi-gender, grassroots, anti-discrimination, youth organizing center with a clear mission and commitment to challenging the destruction among, of, and between New York City’s disparate youth communities.

Join us a the event, whicch aims to raise $40,000 to support the OUTRIGHT Consortium’s citywide cross-community Youth Summit trainings, LGBT Youth Retreats, Womyn’s Space meetings, Young Men’s Anti-Sexism Roundtables, and more of the Consortium’s cutting-edge programs. To RSVP, visit projectReachnyc.org.

Teen Dating Violence Walk-a-Thon

On Saturday, February 18th, our after-school Girls’ Club will participate in a Teen Dating Violence Awareness Walk-A-Thon co-sponsored by AAFSC. The Walk-A-Thon, which is organized and lead by The Healing Center, will begin at 10:00 AM on 47th St & 4th Ave in Brooklyn and will end at Ovington Ave & 4th Ave. If you would like to join AAFSC’s team to raise awareness for this important cause, please contact Cumar Husain at 718-643-8000 ext. 14.

Organized by: The Healing Center

Co-Sponsored by: Arab-American Family Support Center, Brooklyn Community Board 7, Center for Anti-Violence Education, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church, HealthFirst, Connect

Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. For the month of February, our students will be participating and hosting a series of events and activities to highlight teen dating abuse and educate their peers about the difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship. These events and activities are a part of The Manar Project, AAFSC’s violence intervention and prevention program. For more information, please contact Cumar Husain at 718-643-8000 ext. 14.

Written by: Leen Shumman

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. In the past we have watched a movie called “Reviving Ophelia” in the teen girls group. The movie was about a teenage girl that had an abusive boyfriend. It shows how the young girl was coping with what was happening. The movie was great because it is something that girls in the group could relate to and be interested in because it connected the age difference and the reality of it.

The girls group also watched a Turkish movie called “Bliss.” This movie was about a young teenage girl who was raped and how the family responded to it. The young girl in the movie was supposed to kill herself because the family thought it was a sin and shameful. After the girl refused to do it, the family called a friend to kill her. The movie shows the relationship between the family friend and what he decides to do after his choice not to kill her.

This unit has shown us what teen dating violence is. At the same time the group is joyful and fun. We are excited for the next unit.

AAFSC Offers College Counseling for High School Seniors

AAFSC is excited to announce a new program for college students! In addition to our free Kaplan SAT Courses, we now offer college counseling to help high school students make more informed decisions about college. Schedule an appointment with one of our ReServe college counselors to learn about college choices, applications, financial aid, or general information about going to college.

College counselors are available Tuesday through Friday, from 12:00 to 5:00 PM. To speak to a college counselor, visit us or call for an appointment:

150 Court Street, 3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
T: (718) 643-8000 ext. 13

NAAMA Honors Board Vice Chair, Joseph Elhilow, and Executive Director, Lena Alhusseini

On Friday, February 10th, Board Vice Chair, Joseph Elhilow, and Executive Director, Lena Alhusseini will be honored by the New York Chapter of the National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA). Mr. Elhilow will be given the Leadership Award and Ms. Alhusseini will be awarded the Community Service Award.

NAAMA is a non-profit, educational and humanitarian organization, whose members are medical professionals of Arab descent, have a close affinity with individuals of Arab origin, or have demonstrated a commitment to the mission and organizational objectives of NAAMA.

The gala will take place at Dyker Beach Golf Course and will feature the music of NADEIM. Tickets are $125 and can be purchase by contacting 718-491-1136.

Executive Director, Lena Alhusseini, Receives Womensphere Global Award

On January 19th, Executive Director, Lena Alhusseini, will receive the Womensphere Global Award at the Emerging Leaders Global Summit. The Summit, which will be held at Columbia University, aims to create community among emerging women leaders at premier companies and organizations, from leading graduate programs, and from the top undergraduate colleges, as well as young women entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs, in the United States and around the world.

Additionally, AAFSC has been selected to participate in Womensphere’s Global Impact Campaign. The campaign centers on raising funds and visibility for a select number of non-profit organizations and social enterprises that specifically benefit women and girls or are led by exceptional women. AAFSC is one of 20 organizations selected for the Global Impact Campaign, which hopes to raise $5,000 for each organization. To donate to our Impact Campaign, visit our Crowdrise page.

Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast

On Friday, December 16th, AAFSC held a special Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast for our wonderful the wonderful volunteers that assist with our Youth Program and the Adult Education & Literacy Program. Volunteers were greeted by Board member, David Sternlieb, and were presented with certificates by Executive Director, Lena Alhusseini.

AAFSC would like to give a huge thank you to our volunteers, who help us provide crucial social services to the Arab American community of New York City.

Volunteer Evelyn Daugherty with staff members Nidal Alloubane and Roberta Baum.

Skating in A Winter Wonderland

This weekend the students from the AAFSC’s after school program traveled to Bryant Park for an afternoon of ice-skating. Some of the students zoomed fearlessly onto the ice, while others clung to the walls as volunteers taught them how to skate. By the end of the afternoon all the students were skating on their own – although many spent more time on the ground than skating on the ice! The students enjoyed the trip to Bryant Park so much they unanimously declared that the after school program should go ice-skating every weekend!

A student awaits his turn on the ice.

The trip to Bryant Park was supported by New York Care’s Urban Adventure’s program, which plans outings for youth groups in New York City. The AAFSC would like to extend a huge thank you to all the amazing volunteers for dutifully lacing up the students’ skates, holding hands as students gained their confidence on the ice, and lending hats and gloves to keep them warm. If you would like to join the ranks of these amazing volunteers by accompanying our students on future trips, visit the New York Cares website or contact Jake Keyel at 718-643-8000 ext. 39.

Our amazing volunteers cheer a student on as he learns to skate.

A volunteer and student enjoying their time at the skating rink.

One of our second grade students wrote this reflection for his homework on the Monday after the trip.

Although these two students began the afternoon clinging to the walls of the rink, by the end they were skating like pros.

One of our fearless students seemed to enjoy falling on the ice more than he did skating on it!