Imagine an evening where you escape to what feels like a warm
Caribbean Island. The scent of authentic island cuisine tickles your
nose as the sounds of Caribbean music fill the air. Visions of
dancers, models, and live entertainment capture your eyes and the
event is only yet to begin.
You are invited to enjoy an evening like no other with Sesame Flyers
at our 1st Annual Caribbean Heritage Cultural Gala. Join event goers
who love and appreciate Caribbean culture just as much as you. Be
the first to see the reveal of our costumes for the upcoming West
Indian Day Parade. We will be recognizing individuals who are making
a significant contribution to Caribbean Culture as we dance the
night away. We guarantee you will leave inspired.
The Caribbean Heritage Cultural Gala is the major fundraising event for
Sesame Flyers. This enchanting evening is an ideal opportunity to
mingle and network with business and community leaders like you, who
gather to celebrate Caribbean Culture. Your support will ensure the
future of Sesame Flyers and the community service work we have been
committed to for the last 36 years. Together, we can make it happen.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
04-28
Sesame
Flyers International
ANNIVERSARY SERVICE
at El Beth-El
05-17
Sesame
Flyers International
YOUTH
SUMMIT
at Winthrop Beacon Community Center
06-08
Sesame
Flyers International, Inc.
CARIBBEAN HERITAGE CULTURAL GALA
at Marine Park Golf Course. Featuring Dance,
Steelpan, Costume, Music and Calypso
SUMMER
YOUTH
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
SESAME
FLYERS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH SUMMIT -
SAVE THE
DATE
Support Sesame
Flyers International
Make A
Donation
Today
Contact
Information Cultural Center /
Saturday Program 3510
Church Avenue . Brooklyn . NY 11203
Phone: 718-693-0500 | Fax: 718-693-2007
Email Address:
info@sesameflyers.org
Winthrop Beacon
III Community Center 905
Winthrop Street . Brooklyn . NY 11203
Phone: 718-221-8880 | Fax: 718-693-2007
Email Address:
info@winthropbeacon.org
Sesame Flyers
International
Center Of Family Support 905
Winthrop Street . Brooklyn . NY 11203
Phone: 718-221-8881 | Fax: 718-693-2007
Email Address: cfs@sesameflyers.org
Bildersee
Beacon Community Center 956
East 82nd Street . Brooklyn . NY 11203
Phone: 718-241-3847 | Fax: 718-693-2007
Email Address:
info@bilderseebeacon.org
SONYC at I.S.
211 1001
East 100th Street.Brooklyn.11236
Phone: 718-251-2051
Newsletter
Issue
# 32
April 2019
SERVE THE COMMUNITY & BUILD YOUR BUSINESS - BE A 2019 SYEP WORKSITE
BY
JUDITH FAISON, DIRECTOR
PROGRAM AND JOB DEVELOPMENT
Do your part to give a young person the experience of a lifetime.
Entrepreneurs, small and large have an opportunity to show youth
ages 14-24 how to establish good work habits and learn what it means
to run a business. Hosting a young person this summer for six weeks
from July 8 to August 16 for up to 25 hours per week can make a life
changing impact.
A recent Wharton UPenn study of the New York City Summer Youth
Employment Program (SYEP) program found that the program has a
profound influence on the youth who participate as the rates of
incarceration and homicide are less for youth who are selected by
the lottery to participate in the program than for those who are not
selected. The Summer Youth Employment Program literally saves lives!
Participants who are randomly selected by a lottery are matched with
a worksite or a project based experience for the summer in a variety
of industries from health care to finance. The SYEP program is a
success because local businesses have shared their knowledge and
wisdom while connecting our young people to the benefits of a good
work ethic.
Sponsored by the New York City Department of Youth and Community
Development, the SYEP program has implemented web based
application and payroll systems for the participants.
Participants are issued debit cards and those who have bank
accounts are paid through direct deposit.
Older Youth earn NYS minimum wage and learn time management,
fiscal responsibility and how to contribute as a member of an
effective team. SYEP Participants spend their summer putting
into practice the prized 21st century skill set.
Youth aged 14 and 15 participate in Project Based Learning
experiences related to growing industries. Here they develop the
soft skills required for success including team work, critical
thinking, and customer service. Youth who participate in the
Project Based experiences can earn up to $700 in stipends.
In addition to developing job skills through project based or
work experience, part of each summer’s experience includes Work
Readiness training that investigates the areas of Work
Readiness, Financial Literacy, Higher Education Exploration,
Career Exploration, and Health Education. Among the concepts
discovered by SYEP participants, is the range of options
available to them after high school, how to think critically
about managing money, and how to incorporate elements of a
healthy lifestyle.
Last summer over $149.8 million dollars in city, state, federal,
and private funds were allocated to this vital citywide program.
This dollar amount was met by over 164,121 youth who submitted
applications to participate, while funding allowed 74,354 youth
to be enrolled in the program, over 40 per cent of whom were
Brooklyn residents and 40 per cent were of African descent.
13,701 local businesses large and small, including those in the
private sector, throughout New York City provided our youth an
opportunity to experience the rigors and rewards of employment.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE
Happy
36th Anniversary Sesame Flyers International! It truly amazes me
that our unwavering commitment to the community has spanned the
course of three decades. We can all take pride and be motivated in
what we accomplished together for our community, our culture, and
our young people all over the Afro-Caribbean diaspora.
2018 was our Legacy 35th year of service and we took time to reflect
on all the success and accomplishments we have made. We feel
inspired and filled with passion seeing our Visions come to life. In
this edition we highlight the vibrancy of our growing parent
councils, our youth celebrating their heritage, and a call to
support our annual Youth Summit and our massive Summer Youth
Employment program in major way.
I would also like to personally invite you to our upcoming Caribbean
Heritage Cultural Gala! This year our showcase presentation of
cultural costumes for the West Indian American Day parade will be
part of a much larger celebration of Caribbean Culture. We are
bringing together our Band Launch, Gala and love for Caribbean
culture under one roof for a dynamic evening of music, culture,
entertainment and fine dining. Please check our upcoming events and
save the date. I look forward to seeing you there.
BILDERSEE'S PARENT COUNCIL UP & RUNNING!
BY KENYA ALLEYNE, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BILDERSEE BEACON
On Friday, March 29th our new Parent Council President Keisha Sedney
hosted Bildersee Beacon’s first ever meet and greet under the
Leadership of Beacon Director Julie Sookanan. Ms. Sookanan has a
vision of a vibrant and involved parent community, filled with
interactive monthly events. The meet and greet was organized in
order to bring together our parents with community and business
leaders to network and brainstorm ideas on how to improve the
program and thus, the community. Participants discussed their
individual roles as well as services they can offer to our program
such as fiscal resources, event planning, fundraising ideas and
concepts. All our parents and partners in attendance found the meet
and greet very informative. Please check our upcoming events for
this month’s Parent Council activity.
THE
LIGHTHOUSE SHOWCASE AT WINTHROP BEACON!
BY SIMONE WARNER, PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF WINTHROP BEACON COMMUNITY
CENTER
The sweet sounds of steel drums, beautiful displays of culture
through dance and costume, and young people strutting their stuff
were what were seen on Friday, March 29 at the Lighthouse Showcase.
Participants and staff came together to put on an amazing show for
families and friends. Parents were pleased to see the product of the
work that their children have been putting in for the last few
months. We were also granted the pleasure of seeing our Basketball
and Soccer legends showcasing some of the fundamentals they have
been learning with Mr. Dalton and Mr. Shakeel each week.
Our fashion show segments included Hollywood, sportswear, and
culture wear. Staff also took part in the fashion show by showcasing
Mr. Shakeel’s fashion line known as World Class XLVSS. We were also
given a spectacular modern ballet performance by Repertoire Dance
Initiative & STIGMA (one of our co-located activities).
The Lighthouse Showcase an absolute success. Now we prepare for our
end of year presentation. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!
$35 FOR 35 LEGACY CAMPAIGN
Sesame Flyers International Inc. is a Brooklyn based champion in
preserving Caribbean culture and fostering academic enrichment among
young people and adults. Our legacy was built on the belief that
culture and the arts are vital to mental wellness, a positive
self-image, and a sense of belonging. As we wind down our 35th
Anniversary celebration, we call on our community to join the
celebration and finish out strong with your support of Sesame Flyers
International in our $35 for 35 - Legacy Campaign.
As a 501c3 non-profit organization, local and state funding goes a
long way to support our commitment to enriching the quality of life
in our communities. It is up to us, however, to raise 20 per cent of
all the funding we receive to cover the gap in the actual cost of
the programming we provide year round. Funds raised help to continue
and expand the work that we have been doing as we enter into our
36th year of service to our beloved community.
Your donation of $35 supports our youth, families, and adults in a
wide range of Sesame Flyers programs. Use the link on the banner at
the top of the newsletter to show your support.
We thank you for joining our call to action - for your contribution,
for sharing this campaign with others, and for standing with Sesame
Flyers International.
Love A Kid Today and Every Day!
Donations are tax-deductible as the law allows.
NOTE :
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