Community Trip to National Museum of the American Indian

Community Trip to National Museum of the American Indian

Last Saturday, we had an enjoyable and worthwhile visit to the National Museum of the American Indian, part of the Smithsonian Institution. The Museum contains one of the largest collections of native American objects, representing many different cultures and communities from Alaska to the end of South America.
 
Our group included Angel, her daughter Sakia, Kerry, Malang, Micheleen, Janna, her daughters Nadine and Beatrice, DuPree and Burt. Angela Blair joined from Staten Island, Elaine and Jean Pierre from London and Italy and Eliot (Guest from CA). We toured the galleries at our own pace, immersing ourselves in the historical, artistic and cultural exhibits and narratives. We attended a short, interesting film on what it means to be a “native” New Yorker. We were exposed to some of the enormous cruelties imposed on indigenous peoples and left with a deeper understanding and a heavy heart. Before returning home, we looked at Fraunces Tavern from the Revolutionary War days and had a tasty buffet lunch. All in all, a trip to remember.
By Burt Hurwitz
 
(CLICK ON PICTURES BELOW TO SEE THEM IN FULL SIZE)
Ethics for Children – Service Day in Marine Park (with pictures)

Ethics for Children – Service Day in Marine Park (with pictures)

Our Ethics for Children program’s monthly service project day happened on a lovely day in Marine Park this month. The kids and adults met the friendly and super helpful rangers who work at the park, learned a lot about the wildlife in the area, and went to work, cleaning the paths in beaches in the area.  A lot of smiles, gorgeous views, and community time later, and they had collected 3 large industrial bags of plastic and a crate of large bottles, and helped protect some of the delicate wildlife in the area.
Check out the pictures below, and come join us next time!

CLICK ON THE PICTURES BELOW FOR SLIDES.

Ethics for Children Service Project – Fun Day for Refugee Families

Ethics for Children Service Project – Fun Day for Refugee Families

This weekend the Ethics for Children program held a Family Fun Day for about 50 children and adults. This wasn’t just an event for our families. We invited families from the local sanctuary shelter to join us! Working in collaboration with Rachel Lori from Gowanus Mutual Aid, we extended the invitation to families newly arrived in NYC. Thanks to the help from guest artists the kids and their families were treated to all kinds of fun activities including a lesson in plate spinning with Laine Barton, making sock puppets with Katrina Avino-Barracato, and learning traditional Mexican dances with Alda Reuter & Benjamin Perez Hidalgo. Rounding out the event, we shared a meal with many treats made by EfC families and everyone took advantage of the yard to visit and play on the sunny spring day.