May is Mental Health Awareness Month and, at CASW, we are invested in the well-being of our community. This means that we seek to take an active interest of ALL members in our community, whether it's colleagues, participants, or partners. All month, we've been sharing mental health resources on our social media channels, with the ultimate goal of making CASW a safe, supportive environment for EVERYONE. 

YOUNG EXPERTS PRESENT AT STEM FAIR…

Our COMPASS and SONYC participants at PS/ MS 37 held their first ever STEM Fair this month!!! The event, which was held in the school's gymnasium, was the ultimate culmination of projects that students had been working on all year. Displays included a variety of interactive projects in various sciences; from robotics, to chemistry, and even environmental science.

 

If you've been following along with us on social media, then you would know that our participants have been hard at work for the whole school year. These projects are ultimately the result of hours of research, trial and error, and discussion. It comes as no surprise that participants presented as experts on their respective topics. In truth, we are so proud of both them and our equally talented staff for making this possible!

GET READY NYC…

We're gearing up for one of our busiest seasons at CASW: Summer 2024!!! For the past few months, many of our programs have been hard at work preparing for another incredible summer; full of memories, friendships, and invaluable experiences. 

 

Registration for Summer Rising 2024 has already passed, and several of our sites are preparing to accommodate participants of all ages, K-8. In a similar fashion, CASW-Workforce has been getting ready to process hundreds of SYEP participants. As you read this, documents are being archived and job trainings are well underway. 

 

It's shaping up to be another landmark summer. Who knows what stories we'll be able to tell…

SEEDS OF SUMMER…

As we've mentioned in past issues, we encourage our participants to get involved in community projects and relish any opportunity to teach them about local stewardship. Our COMPASS participants at PS 115 continue to make great strides with their community garden; more recently, students have had the opportunity to learn about compost, specifically, the essential role it plays in the health of soil and plants. This, with the addition of mulch, helps to keep down weeds as well as regulate temperature.

 

This is knowledge that proves essential during a busy time; spring crops continue to grow as students begin to plant summer crops. As we reach late spring we can expect a plentiful harvest of crops like asian greens, broccoli, and beans.

 

We're so proud of the fruits (and vegetables) of our participants' labor!

A VERY SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS…

On behalf of the entire agency, we would like to congratulate our very own 2024 graduates; Shathi Farjana, Julissa Figueroa, Zhamira Jimenez, Annette Vargas, Phi Nguyen, Tara Taveras, Litzy Rojas, Natasha Tejeda, and Ninoska Aristy.  Their hard work and dedication have led to this moment, and those of us who have had the opportunity to work with them know that this is only the beginning. CASW is beyond proud of these achievements and glad to be a part of what will surely be a successful journey!

In this feature of CASW News, we'd like to share some fun content that's been on our minds lately! Whether it's a new song or YouTube video, our pop culture recommendations will reflect ideas and values that might be useful for our colleagues, participants, partners, or the community as a whole! 

 

USE THE CODE “CASW” AT THE POLLS!!!

CASW's impact goes beyond arts and science. We spark creativity, ignite potential, and nurture the self-belief of at-risk youth. Together, we unlock their dreams.

 

Every child deserves a chance to shine. Your support fuels CASW's mission, empowering at-risk youth to become confident, contributing members of society. Join us in building a brighter tomorrow!