Located in El Barrio, East Harlem, the Family Enrichment Center, East Side, SOUL, recently opened its doors to offer endless free resources to the community.
A young pregnant woman came here to receive the guidance of a Doula, which the center offers and thus feel accompanied during this stage of her life.
María Isabel Núñez, a participant from the center says:
“And I needed a little more information on how to effectively breastfeed my baby, what can I do to store the milk, how to endure this process that I am going to have.”
In full collaboration with the community, the center strives to change the lives of children, youth and families who are overcoming some of life’s most difficult challenges and obstacles, says program director Jocelyn Cáceres:
“They have the opportunity to live with other neighbors, relax and also participate in different activities and training sessions,” he says.
The building has different rooms, a game room for the little ones, an office to work in, a kitchen, computers, and even a closet for families to take the clothes they need, all created and designed by members of the community.
“It was created with the intention to pave the way for the community, to make decisions about what programs are going to be created here,” adds Cáceres.
Vivián Márquez, lives in the area and says he came looking for housing help, but now, during his free time, he helps with what is necessary for the center.
Vivian Márquez, from the Parent Advisory Committee adds: “For me it is as if it were a sanctuary, a sanctuary where you come, there is a place where you can relax, sit down, be at home.”
And although the team is small, they say daily, they strive so that each family finds the help they are looking for.
As Elizabeth Amadiz, family advocate who explains:
“It is specifically what the family comes to and needs, we look for example, if the family has a need related to education, we look for the people who work in the school system so that they can later help and support them in the necessary way.”
Everyone is welcome at the center located at 71 East 111th Street between Madison and Park Avenue, they attend you in Spanish, and confidentiality is respected.
Jenice Zayas, Community Liaison says:
“We want everyone to know that they can come here, we are not going to ask for information, we do not need documents, here they will never ask for money or identification, this is where you will simply be safe.”
In the next 3 years, the initiative hopes to expand to 30 centers like this one, in different parts of the city.
2023-07-01 16:02:00
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