NEW YORK, NY –December 6, 2023 – Cayuga Centers recently partnered with Mott Hall Charter School for a cultural exchange activity benefiting the youth in its care. The event occurred on November 17th at the Mott Hall Charter School library in Tthe Bronx, NY. It brought together 15 minors from the Cayuga Centers Unaccompanied Children Transitional Foster Care program (UC-TFC) and ten students from Mott Hall Charter School, ages ranging from 11 to 13 years old.
The Mott Hall Charter School hosted an engaging art session, which involved the minors and students working together to design, color, and construct Thanksgiving-themed table mats to prepare for the holiday’s feast. The ESL teachers at Mott Hall Charter facilitated the activity in English and Spanish with the support of teachers from the Cayuga Centers Learning Center. The collaboration offered a culturally sensitive environment where minors in Cayuga Centers’ care could interact with peers of their age group from Mott Hall Charter School and fostered cultural exchange through creative expression. The event was a delightful interaction for the two groups and highlighted art therapy as a impactful tool for connection.
“We are thrilled to have partnered with Mott Hall Charter School for this meaningful initiative. We thank them for giving us the opportunity and hosting such an amazing time for our minors; visiting their school was a pleasure!” said Emily Vasquez, a teacher in the Learning Center at Cayuga Centers.
Esterlyn Castanos, Assistant Vice President of the Learning Center at Cayuga Centers, praised the collaboration, saying, “Our agency welcomes partnerships that foster cultural understanding, and we are grateful to Mott Hall Charter School for welcoming this opportunity to the minors in our care. These activities are important because they build connections, develop global thinkers, and further instill that learning can happen outside the traditional classroom.”
Cayuga Centers looks forward to future collaborations that promote positive experiences and align with its commitment to holistic care for youth.
Mott Hall Charter School
The mission of the Mott Hall Charter School is to prepare our scholars in mind, body, and character to succeed in top high schools, colleges, and careers by becoming inquisitive, open-minded, and compassionate citizens of the world. Learn more at www.motthallcs.org.
About Cayuga Centers
Cayuga Centers is a nationally accredited and awarded 501(c)(3) non-profit, human services agency headquartered in Auburn, NY. Founded in 1852, the agency has delivered quality services by following the agency’s core mission of helping individuals and families grow as independent, healthy, and productive citizens through quality counseling, out-of-home care, and support services. Cayuga Centers provides a continuum of support services nationally, with offices in over 10 cities. The agency specializes in providing individualized, culturally appropriate, and trauma-informed support to diverse populations. Cayuga Centers currently serves 10,000 individuals and families annually. Visit www.cayugacenters.org to learn about its services, how to become a foster parent, and employment opportunities.
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Jasmine Lawrence
Media & Community Specialist
