November & December 2025

As we wrap up another successful year at NIA, our programs have been filled with gratitude, celebration, and community spirit. From Thanksgiving gatherings to festive holiday events across Brooklyn, this season truly reflected the heart of NIA’s mission. Our supervisors and After-School/Center Program Directors also came together for a meaningful two-day professional development retreat and a creative craft-night networking event. Read on to find out more about what made this special season so uplifting.

NIA Annual Holiday Brunch

The annual NIA Holiday Staff Brunch was a wonderful celebration held on December 4th at Gargiulo’s Restaurant in Coney Island. NIA staff came together to reflect on the year’s successes, enjoy a delicious brunch, and share meaningful time with colleagues. We are deeply grateful to President and Founder Michael A. Bové, CEO Mary Anne Cino, Executive Director Annette Velez, and the NIA Board of Directors and Executive Team for hosting such a special gathering that truly brought our team together. Laughter, good food, and holiday cheer filled the room, leaving everyone energized for the season ahead.

A special thank you to Chairman & CEO of 7×24 Exchange International Robert J. Cassiliano for joining us and for presenting NIA with a generous donation in support of our mission. Mr. Cassiliano is a long-time supporter of the NIA and has generously donated year after year. And to our dedicated NIA staff, thank you for your hard work and commitment. Here’s to many more milestones, memories, and successes together.

Thanksgiving at NIA Programs

Every Thanksgiving, NIA youth programs take time to reflect on gratitude and celebrate the season together. This year, participants fully embraced the spirit of Thanksgiving across our sites. PS/IS 121 hosted a joyful Friendsgiving celebration, IS 281 gathered families for its 2nd Annual Family Potluck, JHS 227 hosted yet another Thanksgiving potluck, continuing a decades-long tradition, and MS 443 participants created more than 100 heartfelt gratitude cards for their favorite teachers. At IS 303, students enjoyed festive cookie decorating, while NIA Carey Gardens Cornerstone brought the community together for a heartwarming Table of Thanks event. Together, these moments made the season a meaningful time of appreciation, connection, and lasting memories for our community.

NIA Carey Gardens Cornerstone Community Harvest

NIA Carey Gardens Cornerstone proudly hosted its 2nd Annual Community Harvest Day, bringing neighbors together in the spirit of gratitude and giving. The Carey Gardens team shared Thanksgiving cheer by distributing turkeys, canned goods, and fresh produce to families from the Coney Island community.

A heartfelt thank you NIA General Council Scott Cantone, Councilman Justin Brannan, the Brooklyn Cyclones, NIA/IS 239, and the Knights of Columbus St. Bernard Council for their generous support. Special recognition goes to Program Director Leonard Campbell and the entire NIA Carey Gardens staff for organizing such a meaningful and impactful event for our community.

NIA Christmas Tree Lightings

This holiday season, NIA spread festive cheer across Brooklyn with Christmas Tree Lightings in Dyker Heights, Bay Ridge, and Coney Island. Celebrations at Dyker Park and John Paul Jones Park were hosted in partnership with Councilman Justin Brannan and Senator Andrew Gounardes, and were attended by NIA Founder & President Michael A. Bové and Council Member–Elect Kayla Santosuosso. At Dyker Park, the crowd enjoyed holiday carols performed by NIA youth participants from PS 229 accompany by their Program Director Linda Panza. At John Paul Jones Park, the Yule Tide Singers, dressed in traditional Victorian attire, filled the air with seasonal songs, joined by festive performances from the Guild for Exceptional Children. Guests also enjoyed hot chocolate generously provided by Dyker Beach Golf Course. Thank you to Martin Maher, Brooklyn Borough Commissioner for NYC Parks, for joining us and for his continued support of our events in NYC Parks.

Despite the rain, the Coney Island community came out in full holiday spirit for the Kaiser Park celebration, hosted in partnership with Councilman Justin Brannan. The event featured joyful singing and dancing by members of the Coney Island Cathedral, creating a warm and lively atmosphere. NIA’s very own Santa, Frank Tramontano greeted families and handed out candy canes, while attendees enjoyed hot chocolate provided by Gargiulo’s and cookies donated by Trader Joe’s for all three events.

NIA Multicultural Holiday Celebrations

This holiday season, NIA brought communities together with two festive celebrations, each featuring the lighting of a Christmas tree, Menorah, and Kinara. Our first celebration took place at NIA Carey Gardens Cornerstone in partnership with Councilman Justin Brannan and attended by NIA Carey Gardens Cornerstone youth participants, their families, and members of the Coney Island community. NIA President & Founder Michael A. Bové, Director of Operations Vera Ekht, and Assistant Director of Program Operations Bianca Naco were among those in attendance. Cornerstone youth participants shared the meaning behind each holiday tradition and performed holiday carols, accompanied on piano by NIA Carey Gardens Cornerstone Program Director Leonard Campbell. Santa and the Grinch delighted attendees, while Sandy the Seagull from the Brooklyn Cyclones stopped by from nearby Maimonides Park to help spread holiday cheer. Guests enjoyed hot chocolate generously provided by Gargiulo’s and cookies donated by Trader Joe’s.

In Red Hook, community members gathered at Coffey Park for a multicultural holiday celebration hosted in partnership with Senator Andrew Gounardes and Council Member Alexa Avilés. NIA President & Founder Michael A. Bové joined the festivities to greet neighbors and share warm holiday wishes. Local Red Hook businesses, organizations, and religious leaders supported the event by tabling and connecting with residents. Rabbi Yaakov Raskin offered thoughtful remarks on the significance of the season. We are deeply grateful to Spring Bank for their generous donation and Tiffiney Davis, Executive Director of the Red Hook Arts Project, for her invaluable support in planning this meaningful community celebration.

Celebrating Seniors

This season, NIA’s Social Services Director Senja Frangiapani led a series of enriching programs that brought joy, connection, and wellness to seniors across our community. Seniors participated in a memorable field trip to a resort luncheon in Pennsylvania, creating opportunities for relaxation and social engagement, while festive holiday parties at their centers brought joy and community spirit closer to home. To support healthy aging during the busy holiday season, Senja also coordinated stretching and chair yoga sessions, helping seniors stay active, energized, and well throughout the festivities.

NIA Supervisory Professional Development Retreat

NIA Multi-Site Supervisors recently participated in a two-day professional development retreat, Camp Change, hosted by Change Impact. Now in its third year, Camp Change has been a meaningful experience for NIA since the retreat’s inception. The retreat provided a dedicated space for connection, skill-building, and renewal, allowing supervisors to reflect, recharge, and grow together.

Over the course of two days, participants engaged in a variety of interactive workshops and trainings, including Leading Through Challenging Times, Restorative Circles: Managing Early Career Staff, Restorative Practices: Leadership Challenges and Lessons Learned, Intention Setting and Leadership Group Challenge, Processing with Peers, and Mindfulness and Joy. Thoughtfully designed to strengthen leadership capacity and deepen restorative practices, the retreat supported both personal and professional growth, equipping supervisors with tools to lead with resilience, empathy, and purpose.

NIA Supervisory Team & Afterschool Program Director Networking Event

NIA Multi-Site Supervisors and After-School/Center Program Directors came together for a collaborative and creative networking event at our NIA Beacon Community Center at PS 247. This event provided an opportunity for our supervisors and program directors to connect, share experiences, and strengthen relationships that support our mission of empowering communities through education and enrichment. They also expressed their creativity by designing their own NIA hoodies using iron-on patches. Many showcased their school pride by adding their school numbers, while others chose motivational quotes and fun motifs that reflected their personalities and passions. Our team includes supervisors and program directors who have been with NIA for more than two decades as well as new directors just joining us this school year. Each director brings unique perspectives and experiences from communities all across New York City. Thank you to NIA Director of Operations Vera Ekht for planning this event and to NIA Beacon Center PS 247 Program Director Karissa Thomas for hosting.

Program Highlights

NIA/IS 30 Community Harvest & Helping Hands Drive

NIA/PS 229 Holiday Crafts

NIA/MS 443 Holiday Mug Decorating Event

PS/IS 121 Holiday Card Making for Seniors

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Michael A. Bové, President; Mary Anne Cino, CEO

Annette Velez, Executive Director; Phyllis Smeragliuolo, Asst. Executive Director

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NIA SOCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANCE

NIA provides FREE services.

Most social services can be handled via phone or by virtual appointment.

Please contact NIA Director of Social Services Senja Frangipani at services@niabklyn.org or call 718-236-5266

HIGHLIGHTS

• NYC Housing Lottery Application Assistance

  Application assistance with applying for affordable rentals

  and housing opportunities throughout the five boroughs.

  (NIA does not work to secure an apartment for any applicants)

• Narcan/Naloxone Training

  Naloxone training is a service that teaches people how to respond to an opioid overdose.

  Every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:30PM

  Registration required, Limited seating, Must be 18 yrs.

  2nd floor conference room (No Elevator Access)

• Child Support Services

• Heap

• Medicare Savings Plan

• SCHE

• SCRIE

• Referral Assistance

• Access-A-Ride

• IDNYC

• NYCHA Housing Authority

• Passport Appointments

• WIC

• Counseling Services

• Fair Fares

• SNAP

• HPD

• DIRE

• CITYHEPS Renewal

• Health Insurance

• Health Proxy Assistance

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FAMILY SERVICES

For more information, please contact our Manager of Family Services, Isabel Paz:

isabel@niabklyn.org or call (929) 545-4172

NEW! Learn & Play With NIA Events

Calling all children 0–4 years old and their parents/guardians! Join us every month for a free literacy-themed playdate. Light breakfast included.

🕐 Every third Wednesday of every month at 9:00 am: November 19, December 17, January 21, February 18

📍NIA Carey Gardens Cornerstone 2315 Surf AvenueBrooklyn, NY, 11224 United States

For more info please reach out to NIA Manager of Family Services Isabel Paz 929-545-4172.

This series is funded by NYS OCFS.

Parent Advisory Committee

• We are looking for a community of parents and caregivers who would like to develop their leadership skills, plan activities, and support the NIA community. The Parent Advisory Committee’s (PAC) purpose is to provide input to NIA on designing programs and services that meet the needs of families in the NIA community.

  Parent Advisory Duties:

  • Suggest ideas and agenda items for NIA's Family Services parent education, family events, and other community projects.

  • Work collaboratively with other committee members.

  • Participate in a minimum of two out of four meetings (Meeting quarterly, every 3 months).

  • Help promote NIA's activities and events in the community.

Parenting Journey

This course is designed to help parents and caregivers understand how past experiences and present realities shape their attitudes and beliefs as parents and influence how they engage with their children. Through a process of self-reflection and guided conversation, Parenting Journey participants learn more about themselves not just as parents but also as individuals, resulting in a more confident parenting style. Upon successful graduation participants will receive a certificate of completion.

Private Family Support Session

• Family-support professional provides short-term support to families through one-on-one sessions and referrals. We provide support with:

  Behavioral changes in children, family conflicts, new stressors within the family, clothing, food, transportation, personal items

  All sessions are voluntary and based on each family’s needs, and include the option for referral for things outside of our scope such as domestic violence, mental health, and more.

New Moms Group

• A virtual community to support your parenting journey.

  Our new mom group discusses topics such as:

  • Baby development

  • what to anticipate as a new mom

  • journey from month to month for your baby’s first year

  • tips and tricks on navigating motherhood

  • and much more!

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