BoCoCa Diary: Help Families First Keep Its Doors Open

Today is Giving Tuesday, and if you are in a position to donate, perhaps you can support one of the most special places in the neighborhood, Families First, which may not be able to reopen in the fall without our help.

For the past 40 years, Families First has been an amazing resource for parents and young children in Brownstone Brooklyn. As its name indicates, families and their well-being have always been at the heart of this wonderful non-profit membership organization.

Located at 250 Baltic Street in Cobble Hill, the center offers a drop-in play space stocked with toys, inspiring art and music classes, and parenting workshops. Most importantly, it provides support groups for young parents and caregivers.
Founded as the Brooklyn Center for Family Life by two therapists in 1979, it was re-named “Families First” in 1983. At its core, the center's main principal has always been that the support of families is fundamental to the heathy development of children.

Families First is appealing to the Community for help in the message below:

Contributing what you can today helps us sustain this beloved place.

Whatever you give will be gratefully received and deeply appreciated.

Dear Families First community,

As you may know, Families First has been a “home away from home” for families in Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill and Brooklyn Heights for 40 years. Caregivers, parents and children gather to play, sing, read, dance, eat and learn in our play space, classrooms, library, snack and music room. We were in the midst of modernizing the center, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we had to postpone planned floor renovations, and have used our savings to pay utilities, rent and salaries.

I have been a part of the Families First community since 2012, when my eldest son started taking Level 1 classes with Ms. Nanette, then as a board member and now as Executive Director since 2018.

Both of my sons’ first school experience was at Families First, and they both “graduated” with Ms. Erin; carrying fond memories and a love of learning. Our teachers foster children’s curiosity and instinctively know how to nurture valuable social-emotional skills. Even in this unprecedented situation, Ms. Erin, Ms. Nanette and Ms. Melissa are able to connect with their students virtually in a powerful way, as those of you who have been participating in online Practically Preschool know. They miss being with their little ones in the classrooms, but their enthusiasm and warmth comes through even via a computer screen.

Our teachers depend on their salaries to support themselves and their own families, and we have been able to pay them their full salaries since the shut down in March. However, we will not be able to do so past June 1 as spring enrollment is virtual only and all memberships have been paused. We need your help. Contributing what you can now will help us sustain our beloved center. Any amount you give will be gratefully received and used to ensure that we can remain part of the neighborhood and open our doors once again, as soon as it is safe to do so.

We can’t wait to be together again and welcome back our treasured families, students and playmates.
Be well,
Alison Khalaf, Executive Director 

PLEASE DONATE HERE

To read more about Families First 40 year history in the neighborhood, click here:
Families First Brooklyn
Families First: Celebrating A Long And Proud Tradition Of Supporting Neighborhood Parents And Their Children

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Lazy Or Just Careless? Brooklyn Community Board 6's District Office Fails To Post Meeting Minutes In A Timely Manner On Web Site And Why It Matters

Community Board 6  Chair Peter Fleming

Mike Racioppo District Manager of CB6

According to its web site, one of the functions of our Community Board 6  district office, located at 250 Baltic Street in Cobble Hill, is "maintains all the public records of the activities of the Community Board."

One would think that function would include posting the approved meeting minutes in a timely manner on its site. After all, there is a dedicated page to those minutes on the site and it would be the most logical place to make them accessible to the community.

However, that does not seem to be the case.

When I recently found myself looking for some CB6 information, I was surprised to find that the meeting minutes had not been updated for months.

For example,  the 2019 minutes for the Permits and Licenses Committee meeting only showed those for the monthly meetings in  January and February 2019. The ones for the Land Use/ Landmark Committee only included those for January, February and March 2019.

The other committees did not fare any better.

Even more curious, only minutes for the  January 8, February 13 and March 13 2019  general meetings of the Full Board appear on the web site. 

(The January 2019 meeting is mislabeled 2018)

There is almost no excuse for the fact that minutes for the year 2018 remain incomplete on the web site as well. (See photo above)

Almost every CB6 General and Committee meeting usually begin with the approval of the previous  meeting minutes.  So why aren't they posted on the site shortly afterwards? A delay of a month or two would be understandable, but not providing the community with timely minutes is unacceptable.

Curious as to what Community Board 6  by-laws state regarding minutes, we looked it up. They were last updated in 2009  and say that the "minutes shall be kept in the district office and forwarded to all public libraries within Community District #6 and shall be available to any person or organization requesting same."

We called the Carroll Gardens Library on Clinton Street, which would be the closest to the Community Board office to check. We were told that no CB6 committee or general minutes were kept there.

We are aware of the fact that Brooklyn CB6 was selected to participate in the Live-Streaming Program, through the City Council's Digital Inclusion and Literacy Initiative and that indeed, some meetings have been taped and are still  accessible on You Tube.

There are no links to the live-stream videos anywhere on the CB6 page. It is important to note that only general meetings have been videotaped, none of the committee meetings.

Considering that many important discussions and votes happen during those committee meetings, those minutes should have been posted. 

In our opinion, the approved meetings of ALL Brooklyn CB6 meetings should always be posted.

Why does this matter? CB6 represents the neighborhoods of Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Columbia Waterfront, Gowanus, Park Slope and Red Hook.  There have been many issues being discussed in the past few months,  none more important than the massive proposed rezoning of the Gowanus Canal area, which will bring more than 20,000 new residents to the area and will undoubtedly affect many within the Community Board boundary.

Presentations on the rezoning have been given by city agencies and comments made by the public at the general and committee meetings.  In their advisory capacity, members of Community Board 6 will cast their vote to either approve or disapprove the plan. 

It is therefore important that a complete, timely meeting record and complete minutes be made available to the community. 

It is not too much to ask for. CB6 and its district office need to do better.

If you are wondering how quickly other community board web sites post meeting minutes here is a link to Community Board 6 in Manhattan. THAT board seems to be pretty up to date on that front. 

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Families First: Celebrating A Long And Proud Tradition Of Supporting Neighborhood Parents And Their Children

Nanette De Cillis, Families First Art current teacher

Nora Geraghty, board member, with Executive Director Paula Heitman

Families First throughout the years. Do you recognize anyone?

(photos below courtesy of Families First)

 Former Executive Director Linda Blyer (right) with then-Program Associate Maria Pagano (left)

and Sophie (center) in the 1980's 

Some of the first Families First members at the center

For the past 38 years, Families First has been an amazing resource for parents and young children in Brownstone Brooklyn. As its name indicates, families and their well-being have always been at the heart of this wonderful non-profit membership organization.
Located at 250 Baltic Street in Cobble Hill, the center offers a drop-in play space stocked with toys,  inspiring art and music classes, and parenting workshops. Most importantly, it provides support groups for young parents and caregivers.
Founded as the Brooklyn Center for Family Life by two therapists in 1979, it was re-named “Families First” in 1983. At its core, the center's main principal has always been that the support of families is fundamental to the heathy development of children.

Linda Blyer, who served as Families First executive director from the early 1980's till 2007, explained that the center quickly became a 'home away from home' for many first time parents who had moved to the City and were raising their children away from their own families.

"The center became a place to go, to connect to others," she says. 

Along the way, long lasting friendships were formed here.  Nora Geraghty,  a current Families First board member,  was brought to Families First by her mother as a child. When she became a parent, she joined the center and brought her own children. To this day, she is in communication with the friend she made at Families First when she was little.

Current Executive Director Paula Heitman speaks of the 'small town feel' which Families First provides. She points out that this sense of 'belonging' extends to caretakers, who connect with each other at the center.

Years ago,  I brought my own children to Families First. It provided a safe, loving environment that chased away the sense of isolation I felt in those first months of being a young mom. I attended the parent skill classes, learned baby CPR, and I made life-long friends. 

Quite a number of for-profit national day care franchises have opened in Carroll Gardens and  Cobble Hill of late. They may all be flashier and glitzier, but cannot duplicate the community Families First has created over almost four decades. Besides, membership fees at the center remain a true bargain.

Families First is a real gem, something unique in our neighborhood, which we all need to support and cherish. Let us make sure that this resource continues to thrive for many more generations.

If you are expecting or have a newborn baby, please attend one of their open houses and see for yourself.

Follow Families First on Facebook here. For membership information, click here.
You can donate to ensure Families First future here.

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Families First Brooklyn On Baltic Street, Holds Open House Tomorrow

If you have little ones and live in Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill or nearby, you will want to check out Families First Brooklyn, the independent, non-profit early childhood center at 250 Baltic Street.
Families First has been providing support for families and first pre-school experiences for neighborhood kids since 1983. This wonderful program was founded by parents for parents and the love and dedication shows to this day. Many first friendships are forged here, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere makes this such a great resource for new parents and caregivers.
(Both my kids attended classes at the center and it was the best experience. I am still friends with some of the other mothers I met during those early years.)

Memberships at Families First are truly affordable. So are the 'Practically Preschool' classes. The center offers an indoor play room, a lending library, and many drop-in classes.

Families First is hosting an open house tomorrow, Thursday, October 19th from 9am to 4 am. Come see the teachers and kids in action and get to know this neighborhood gem.

For all information on the center, its classes and upcoming events, click here.


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Families First To Host Its Annual Spring Carnival On May 20

Families First, an independent, non-profit organization which has supported Brooklyn families since 1981, is holding its annual Spring Carnival on Saturday, May 20th.

If you live in the area, have small children, and have not yet heard about this wonderful resource, you should check it out. It is a great way to connect to other parents. The center offers classes for your children, six months to 5 years, features an indoor play space and hosts workshops for parents and caregivers.

From Family First:
On Saturday, May 20th at 10:00am, the Families First Annual Spring Carnival will take place on Baltic Street, between Court and Clinton Streets in Cobble Hill. Sponsored by Families First, which is located at 250 Baltic Street, the day is a celebration of family and community for families of small children from toddlers to kindergarten-aged children.

The Carnival features the kids’ favorites: pony rides, bouncy houses, face painting, tattoos, carnival games, arts and crafts, a bake sale, a used book and toy sale and balloons!

The Annual Spring Carnival is the principle fundraiser for Families First, a not-for-profit organization established in 1981 to provide families with children’s classes, workshops for parents, and an indoor play space. Parents, caregivers, and young children, six months to 5 years, find a warm and supportive educational environment here that prepares them to successfully enter the school age years. Other sources of support for Families First are membership and program fees, grants and donations.


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Families First Hosts Its Annual Spring Carnival This Saturday, May 21

 

 

Families First, an independent, non-profit organization which has supported Brooklyn families since 1981, is holding its annual Spring Carnival this Saturday, May 21st.

If you live in the area, have small children, and have not yet heard about this wonderful resource, you should check it out. It is a great way to connect to other parents. The center offers classes for your children, six months to 5 years, features an indoor play space and hosts workshops for parents and caregivers.

Brooklyn Spring Carnival For Tots And Kids
On Saturday, May 21st at 10:00am, the Annual Spring Carnival will take place on Baltic Street, between Court and Clinton Streets in Cobble Hill. Sponsored by Families First, which is located on 250 Baltic Street, the day is a celebration of family and community for families of toddlers to kindergarten-aged children.

The Carnival features the kids’ favorites: petting zoo, a bouncy house, face painting, tattoos, mini-carousel, carnival games, arts and crafts, a bake sale, a used book sale and balloons!



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Families First of Cobble Hill To Host 'Winter Jamboree' For Little Kids

Families First, an independent, non-profit organization which has been supporting Brooklyn families for the past thirty four years, is holding its 3rd annual Winter Jamboree fundraising event on Saturday, December 5th. Rumor has it that Santa may make an appearance.

If you live in the area, have small children, and have not yet heard about this wonderful resource, you should check it out. It is a wonderful way to connect to other parents and the center offers great classes and a wonderful play space. 

Here is more information on the event.

Brooklyn Winter Jamboree for little kids

On Saturday, December 5th, the 3rd annual Winter Jamboree will be happening from 9:30am – 12pm at 250 Baltic Street between Court and Clinton Streets in Cobble Hill. Sponsored by Families First, the event will be a winter-wonderland celebration of family and community for families of toddlers to kindergarten-aged children. Tickets are $25/family - $20/for Families First members.

The Winter Jamboree features all the kids’ favorites: face painting, tattoos, arts & crafts, a bake sale, snacks and balloons! City Stomp, www.citystompmusic.com will be performing a concert and Erin Silber, www.erinsilberphotography.com will be on-site to take holiday portraits of your child for only $10. Rumor has it that Santa will be showing up too!

The Winter Jamboree is fundraiser for Families First, a not-for-profit organization established in 1981 to provide families with children’s classes, workshops for parents, and an indoor PlaySpace. Parents, caregivers, and young children, six months to 4 years, find a warm and supportive educational environment that prepares them to successfully enter the school age years. Other sources of support for Families First are membership and program fees, grants and donations.

For all programing and special events related to Families First, click here.

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Families First Spring Carnival Is This Week-End

 

 

Once a year, Families First, an independent, non-profit organization which has been supporting Brooklyn families for the past thirty four years, is holding its annual Spring Carnival this coming Saturday.

If you live in the area, have small children, and have not yet heard about this wonderful resource, you should get to know it.  It is a wonderful way to connect to other parents and the center offers great classes and a wonderful play space.

Here is more information on the Carnival:
"On Saturday, May 16 from 10am to 2pm, the Families First Annual Spring Carnival will take place on Baltic Street, between Court and Clinton Streets in Cobble Hill. Sponsored by Families First, which is located at 250 Baltic Street, the day is a celebration of family and community forfamilies of toddlers to kindergarten-aged children.
The Carnival features the kids’ favorites: petting zoo, a bouncy house, face painting, tattoos, mini-carousel, carnival games, arts & crafts, a bake sale, a used book sale and balloons!

The Annual Spring Carnival is the principle fundraiser forFamilies First, a not-for-profit organization established in 1981 to provide families with children’s classes, workshops for parents, and an indoor PlaySpace. Parents, caregivers, and young children from six months to 5 years find a warm and supportive educational environment here that prepares them to successfully enter the school age years. Other sources of support for Families First are membership and program fees, grants and donations.

We would like to thank Ridgewood Savings Bank and other corporate sponsors for underwriting assistance for the 2015 Spring Carnival. Proceeds from the event will be used to support parent/child education programs at Families First."

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