Lending a hand

Now that summer is over I've gotten back to my NYCares roots and returned to my favorite weekly project: Play and Read at Clinton Family Inn. The "Inn" is is a shelter for homeless families referred by the City's Emergency Assistance Unit. The shelter is run by Homes for the Homeless. There are 81 apartments for single homeless mother's and their children as well as programs to help them get back on their feet and into homes of their own.

The project I volunteer in consists of playing with children, ages 1 to 5 years, while their mothers have the option of attending NYCares adult educational programs or enjoying the only hour and a half alone they will have all week. By "enjoy" they usually do laundry or catch up on studies, cleaning, job applications or other things not in the realm of relaxation, but at least they get a moment to themselves.

This was the first week back for all of us because the project doesn't go on during the summer, and I didn't realize how much I missed until I got there and saw the twins. Briana and Adriana were baby babies last time I saw them and now, they're both crawling and attempting to walk!!!!! Of course all of the kids have grown. Many of them are talking toddlers now and the older ones have personality coming out of their ears! I'm excited to see them all again and really happy for those who have since moved out of the shelter and into real homes--even though I'll miss playing with them!

It's good to be back, and it's even better to give back. If you're looking for a place to donate some of your spare time to serving others, please check out NYCares.

Adriana cruising a play table

Briana

Thumbs up for Volunteering!

Beanie Baby (we wiped her out)