Photo by: Pankaj Khadka/Leroy Street Studio

June : Our neighborhood library in Sunset Park has been honored by the 2021 National American Institute of Architects (AIA) and American Library Association (ALA) as one of the winners of the Library Building Design Award

by News and Events

We are thrilled to announce that our interim neighborhood library in Sunset Park has been honored by the 2021 National American Institute of Architects (AIA) and American Library Association (ALA) as one of the winners of the Library Building Design Award – only one of five libraries selected in the United States! The temporary Sunset Park Library, nestled in the former Sunset Park courthouse on Fourth Avenue, was designed by Leroy Street Studio and decorated with exquisite work by Center for Family Life high school students!

High school students in CFL’s Life Lines Visual Arts Troupe partnered with the Leroy Street Studio in a collaborative process of art, design, and installation to devise a method of providing shade for library-goers on brighter days. The team constructed a unique cascade of paper mobiles that hang across the large, vaulted windows. The shapes, made bold when backlit by the sun, speak to themes of togetherness, vitality, and natural beauty.

The National American Institute of Architects (AIA), an organization to support quality architecture founded in 1857, focuses on cultivating and encouraging the creation of spaces that center community wellness and vibrancy. According to a statement from their organization, the award acknowledges those libraries that embody “design achievement, including a sense of place, purpose, ecology, environmental sustainability and of history.” 
 
 Despite its status as an interim library, the space is a glowing achievement in Sunset Park. Shawn Watts, a partner at Leroy Street Studio, expressed that the studio is “honored to have played a part in creating this vibrant community hub and thrilled to see how the work of the students from the Center for Family Life elevated the space.”
 
 
The interim Sunset Park Library fulfills a variety of needs with versatile arrangements of space and equipment that serve our diverse community. Leroy Street Studio ensured that the voices of the Sunset Park community, BPL staff, and elected officials were heard in imagining the space. A spokesperson for Brooklyn Public Library noted that the library design, with the window installation “comprised of screens and sculptural mobiles, made in collaboration with students from the Center for Family Life…truly reflects the community it serves, making this award even more special.”
 
Julie & Julia

May : Center for Family Life in Sunset Park (CFLSP) has established itself as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization!

by News and Events

We couldn’t be happier to share this amazing moment with all of the friends and neighbors who have joined us over many years, and who are now the core support of the independent CFLSP! 

While we now have a new corporate identity, we will continue to operate at all of the same sites located throughout the community under the leadership of Julie Stein Brockway and Julia Jean-Francois, Co-Executive Directors. For the past 20 years, Julie and Julia have co-led the Center—a comprehensive, family support organization that provides school-based programming, employment services, counseling, case management, and small business development opportunities.
 
 

In 2020, we provided 18,090 individuals and 12,353 families with critical services, and continued to serve as an anchor in the community through the pandemic. Many of our programs operated remotely, and we maintained critical in-person services, including childcare for the children of front-line workers at a NYC Department of Education Regional Enrichment Center, five-day-a-week food and cash relief distribution through our food pantry, and youth development activities at nine neighborhood public schools, all provided while observing proper safety and social distancing precautions.

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March: 12th Annual Career, College, and Community Building Week

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During the week of March 1st, Center for Family Life hosted the 12th annual
Career, College & Community-Building Week for the Sunset Park High
School community. CCC Week, formerly known as CCC Day, provided SPHS
students of all grades with fun, informative, and meaningful experiences to
support their college readiness over the course of three days. Virtual
programming connected students with SPHS alumni in college, enhanced their
ongoing career exploration by welcoming dialogue with a variety of guests from
different fields, and provided an opportunity for community-building with peers
and adults.

By the end of the week, students had learned from guest speakers about
prospective colleges, pondered possibilities for their careers, and engaged in
joyful community-building with one another. We’re grateful for everyone who
contributed to our CCC Week and made each day special!

“I enjoyed being able to share my college and career trajectory. I wouldn’t have imagined that life
would bring me to a completely different career path than what I wanted when I was a SPHS student. Hopefully students were able to relate to my experiences and not feel anxious about college and choosing
their career path in the near future.”

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February: Free Tax Preparation Program Open For 2021 season!

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We are excited to be offering tax filing services in a hybrid virtual/in-person model through April 15! We believe that everyone in our community should be able to file their taxes for free, in a safe, secure, and welcoming environment. Center for Family Life’s Community Services Program provides a tax preparation service that feels like one big family—all working together to manage what is often an anxious time for our neighbors: tax time! Local residents can make an appointment to receive the help they need in English or Spanish (or other languages with the support of translators), and our friendly and approachable staff will guide them
through every step of the process.

Here at the Center, we know that financial stressors and economic insecurity underpin many of the challenges and difficulties families face. Receiving a tax refund can make all the difference for neighborhood families, and provide the opportunity for increased financial stability. Tax refunds often sustain those who are striving to manage debt, save for future family goals, or engage in community life. In addition, our tax filing program returns literally millions of dollars to Sunset Park each year, as many refunds are spent locally. We are proud to contribute to a valuable cycle in which residents invest in local businesses and services, and in turn, build community strength and resilience.

Drop-off service is available by appointment only. To book an appointment, go
to http://bit.ly/cfl-tax
Appointments are available during the following days/times:
Tuesday–Thursday: 11 am–6 pm
Friday: 10 am–5 pm
Saturday: 9 am–4 pm.
Please call 929-480-7175 for additional information.

highschool

January: New Virtual Afterschool Programming!

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Center for Family Life introduced Community Time in the New Year – a NEW daily space for students to decompress, play games, and meet new people. Favorite games include Camp Werewolf, Guess that Celebrity’s Height, and Drawphone.e are pleased to announce that our 2020 End of Year giving campaign showed a 71% increase in the total donation amount and a 53% increase in the number of donors. New supporters have found us during the pandemic and we are thrilled that the community and our supporters continue to value the work we are doing. CFL is also profoundly grateful to have received Calendar Year 2021 funding from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation (MCHF) for our Family Counseling Program Community Services Program, and Adult Employment Program.