SHELTERING ARMS CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES INC

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS-FOR OVER THREE DECADES, SHELTERING ARMS HAS PROVIDED HIGH QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ECE) SERVICES THROUGH BOTH HOME- AND CENTER-BASED OPTIONS. CURRENTLY WE RUN SEVEN CENTER BASED PROGRAMS SERVING ABOUT 600 CHILDREN ANNUALLY. INFANTS AND TODDLERS UP TO 4 YEARS OF AGE RECEIVE HOME- OR CENTER-BASED CARE. IN HOME-BASED CARE, HOME VISITORS WORK WITH CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS, WHO ALSO ATTEND WEEKLY SOCIALIZATION GROUPS WITH OTHER SAME-AGE CHILDREN. PARENTS ARE OFFERED VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, INCLUDING PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL CARE, NUTRITION, AND COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES. OUR DEDICATED EDUCATORS GUIDE CHILDREN THROUGH HANDS-ON LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND A CONSTANTLY GROWING SET OF INNOVATIONS, SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND EXPOSURE TO THE ARTS. OUR MODEL IS INFORMED BY THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CREATIVE CURRICULUM, WHICH ENSURES THAT CHILDREN GAIN THE EARLY LITERACY, MATH, AND COGNITIVE SKILLS THEY WILL NEED TO SUCCEED IN KINDERGARTEN AND BEYOND.

FAMILY FOSTER CARE, ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE GROUP HOMES FOR TEENS -SHELTERING ARMS PROVIDES FOSTER HOMES FOR APPROXIMATELY 250 CHILDREN WHOSE BIRTH FAMILIES ARE UNABLE TO CARE FOR THEM BECAUSE OF SUCH PROBLEMS AS DRUG/ALCOHOL USE, ANGER MANAGEMENT ISSUES, UNSAFE HOUSING, POOR PARENTING SKILLS, OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THEY ARE PLACED WITH APPROXIMATELY 200 FAMILIES RECRUITED AND TRAINED BY SHELTERING ARMS, WHILE THEIR BIRTH FAMILIES ARE HELPED TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS THAT LED TO PLACEMENT. IN MOST CASES, CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO BE SAFELY REUNITED WITH THEIR PARENTS; OTHERS WILL BE ADOPTED BY THEIR FOSTER FAMILIES, RELATIVES, OR OTHERS.LEARNING TO LIVE COOPERATIVELY WITH OTHERS AND DEVELOP THE SKILLS NEEDED TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IS THE GOAL OF THE TWO SHELTERING ARMS GROUP HOMES FOR FOSTER YOUTH IN THE BRONX. STAFF MEMBERS PROVIDE SURROGATE PARENTING IN THE GROUP HOMES, HELPING THE RESIDENTS ORGANIZE MEAL PREPARATION, THE ASSIGNMENT OF CHORES, AND OVERSEE THINGS LIKE HOMEWORK REVIEW AND DISCIPLINE. ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, COLLEGE PREPARATION, AND JOB READINESS SKILLS ARE EMPHASIZED FOR ALL YOUTH, WHILE LOCAL WORKSHOPS BROADEN RESIDENTS' PERSPECTIVES AND LIFE COPING SKILLS. SHELTERING ARMS OFFERS CRITICAL SUPPORT TO TEENS IN FOSTER CARE, BOTH THOSE LIVING WITH FOSTER FAMILIES AND THOSE LIVING IN THE GROUP HOMES, DURING THEIR OFTEN DIFFICULT TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOUNDATIONS, WE CLOSE THE GAPS LEFT BY PAST ABUSE OR NEGLECT, AND RESTORE THE SELF-ESTEEM THAT FUELS, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND SUCCESS.