This fall, NIA brought communities together through seasonal celebrations, family events, and initiatives that make a lasting difference in the neighborhoods we serve. From preserving an essential food pantry in Coney Island and celebrating our seniors to highlighting the impact of afterschool programs and honoring a beloved neighborhood figure, the past few months have been filled with meaningful moments, partnerships, and opportunities to support our community. Here are some of the highlights!
Senior Picnics
NIA seniors welcomed the fall season at our annual Senior Picnics in Dyker Heights and Coney Island. The Dyker Heights celebration was held in partnership with State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Council Member Kayla Santosuosso, followed by another festive gathering in Coney Island with Council Member Santosuosso. At both events, seniors enjoyed a delicious outdoor meal, caught up with friends and neighbors, and took to the dance floor for an afternoon of fun, connection, and community.
Keeping a Coney Island Food Pantry Open Through Community Partnership
NIA Community Services Network helped preserve a longtime Coney Island food pantry after it faced an uncertain future. The pantry, operated by ACTS Community Development Corporation under the Coney Island Lighthouse Mission name, needed a new home as Pastor Anthony “Tony” Robbins prepared to step away after decades of service. An unexpected connection with Scott Cantone, who first became involved with the pantry through his work on The Coney casino proposal, helped bring NIA into the picture. Working alongside Pastor Tony, Scott, Mission volunteers, food providers and local elected officials, including Council Member Kayla Santosuosso and State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, NIA navigated the transition and welcomed the pantry to its Carey Gardens Cornerstone Community Center. Today, the pantry operates twice a week and serves more than 400 families weekly, with NIA providing the facility, staff and organizational support to sustain its work while dedicated volunteers help carry forward the community spirit Pastor Tony built. The effort reflects the power of community partnerships to keep essential resources available to Coney Island families.
Supporting Coney Island Families
NIA partnered with Council Member Kayla Santosuosso’s office for a lunch bag giveaway at Kaiser Park, providing local families with lunch bags, bento boxes, water bottles, and snacks to help students prepare for the school year. The event was a great opportunity to connect with families and support students as they head back to school. We also enjoyed stopping by the Coney Island Sharks’ homecoming to meet the players and the Sharkettes and celebrate with the local community!
Lights On Afterschool: Celebrating the Power of After-School Programs
On October 22, NIA youth programs across our network celebrated Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide event highlighting the importance of after-school programs for children, families, and communities. This year, our sites marked the occasion with creative activities, themed celebrations, and opportunities for students and families to connect.
Students got into the spirit with glow-in-the-dark dance parties, neon-themed celebrations, and hands-on crafts. At PS 52, students created lightbulb-inspired crafts and glow-in-the-dark pins before dancing the afternoon away, while PS/IS 121 hosted its annual glow party with lamp painting, crafts, music, and dancing. PS/IS 229 planned a laser lightshow party, and Albee Square brought the theme to life with a colorful fall punch served in lightbulb-shaped cups and glowsticks. At BUGS, students created neon posters featuring glowing affirmations about what they love about their NIA after-school program. Other sites incorporated special treats, art activities, and family events, including a celebration at Carey Gardens Cornerstone and opportunities for parents to visit classrooms and see their children’s activities.
These celebrations reflect the creativity, connection, and enriching experiences NIA’s after-school programs provide throughout the year. We are grateful to our dedicated staff, families, and partners for helping create welcoming spaces where young people can learn, grow, express themselves, and have fun.
Celebrating Halloween Across Our Communities
NIA brought Halloween magic to the community with two free family festivals! Our annual 11th Avenue Spooktacular, held in partnership with NYC DOT’s Trick-or-Streets, brought families together for a day of Halloween fun, presented alongside Council Member Kayla Santosuosso, Senator Andrew Gounardes, Council Member Susan Zhuang, and Council Member Alexa Avilés. The festivities continued at Owl’s Head Park, where families enjoyed another spooktacular celebration with local elected officials and community partners.
Both events welcomed families in costume for a festive day filled with music, live entertainment, games, treats, pumpkin decorating, and more. A special shout-out to NIA’s talented youth programs for their fantastic Halloween-themed performances, and heartfelt thanks to the NYPD 68th Precinct for helping keep everyone safe.
Together, the festivals brought thousands of community members together to celebrate creativity, connection, and Halloween spirit. The celebration also included a special check presentation from Senator Chan in support of NIA’s work in the community
We’re grateful to our generous supporters, including Investor’s Foundation and NYC Parks, as well as our elected officials, partners, and volunteers who helped make these celebrations possible.
Halloween at NIA Programs
Halloween celebrations continued across NIA’s youth programs. At NIA PS/IS 121, students enjoyed a fantastic Halloween party filled with mummy-wrapping contests (The elementary mummy won for creativity and durability), spooky-themed desserts, and trick-or-treating fun. Over at NIA/PS 52R, students showed off their creativity and coloring skills with festive pumpkin and haunted house drawings. Meanwhile, students at NIA/PS 104 got into the Halloween spirit by designing their own trick-or-treat bags and enjoying delicious cinnamon rolls topped with monster googly eyes. Students across all programs embraced the spooky season in style, showing off their fantastic Halloween costumes and bringing plenty of festive fun. It was a wonderful way to celebrate Halloween!
Green-wood Cemetery Día de Muertos
NIA Community Services Network was proud to participate in Green-Wood Cemetery’s annual Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Family Celebration, sharing this vibrant tradition through a hands-on craft table where families created paper marigolds. These bright flowers are an important symbol of Día de Muertos, often used to honor loved ones who have passed away. The event brought the community together to explore the holiday’s rich cultural traditions through art, music, dance, and family-friendly activities, celebrating remembrance, connection, and cultural heritage.
Program Highlights
Pinkerton Biobus
NIA/PS 104 Crazy Science
NIA/PS 186 & NIA/PS127 Italian & Hispanic Heritage celebrations
Michael A. Bové, President; Mary Anne Cino, CEO; Annette Velez, Executive Director; Phyllis Smeragliuolo, Asst. Executive Director
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
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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)
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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)
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NYS initiative providing free air conditioners and installation to eligible residents. Must be enrolled in the NYS of Health Essential Plan, have not received a cooling unit in the past five years, and live with persistent asthma or other qualifying chronic health condition to be eligible. (Only during open enrollment)
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(Open Enrollment June 16-September 6) Children between the ages of 6 to 16 who attends a school in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and you’re a low-income household, may apply. Summer EBT will be issued once per year, in the full amount of $120 for each eligible child. You do not need to enroll if the household is receiving Snap, Cash assistance, Medicaid, or free/reduced-price school meals.
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
FAMILY SERVICES
For more information, please contact our Manager of Family Services, Isabel Paz:
isabel@niabklyn.org or call (929) 545-4172
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.
ℹ️ NEW SESSION beginning September 24, 2026. Sign up now at bit.ly/pj26nia.
Private Family Support Sessions
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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.
Apply now! NIA is seeking candidates to join our talented youth enrichment team.
Positions available the 2026-27 school year
Training and opportunities for growth
Seeking support staff and those with experience in subjects such as visual and performing arts, STEM, sports and fitness, literacy, cooking, leadership, and so much more! - All experience levels welcome