Welcome to the Table: Hour Children’s Programs

“It’s like you can be a kid again,” says Mercedes Lopez, Program Coordinator at the Tots Program. “Even when you play with them, you forget how they think. It’s interesting to see their perspective on things as opposed to yours. You never would have thought of that if you didn’t see it from a child’s perspective.” 

Mercedes works with children three months to four-years-old whose mothers are part of our program. Hour Children transitioned to the Tots program during COVID, to provide support for the mothers in Hour program. Mercedes has been with Hour Children for five years and enjoys forming nurturing bonds with the children. “My favorite part is watching them grow and knowing that we help them achieve their milestone – whether that is potty training, or helping them recognize letters in the alphabet, or helping them spell their name,” says Mercedes.

Childcare is an essential tool in the re-entry process. People with children need a safe, caring environment for the child to grow, expand their knowledge, and develop. The Tots team creates strong bonds with the children so that each mother feels their child is in good hands while they complete job training, go to work, or work with their social workers. Hour children enjoy breakfast, free time, dress up, blocks, puzzles, manipulatives, art projects, walks, snack time, and park trips.

School Fun offers after school homework help and fun activities for young children. Program coordinators and volunteers help the kids complete their homework, give them a snack, and play with them. They make trips to the park on nice days and work with the Child Therapist to get them to their sessions. Recently, children have been doing cooking classes with an outside instructor.

“I love dancing with the kids, I love arts and crafts, pretend play, and I like playing board games with them,” says Program Coordinator Stephanie Gonzalez. After a full day of school and completing their homework, children need some time to play and go outside. “I love to have the free time at the park with them, where they are running outside,” says Veronica Palmeros, who works with School Fun and the Tots program. After the Tots program, children come to School Fun for after school care. “The [caregivers] find it to be a very supportive service. They know that we are working with them to help their child, even with adjusting to in-person learning,” says Program Assistant Jessica Gonzalez, “They know that this is a safe place.”

Hour Teen Scene offers educational opportunities, support, and activities to teens at Hour Children and from the wider community. Hour Children partnered with the New York Coalition Against Sexual Assault to offer Project DOT – a 10-week workshop series promoting safe relationships and sexuality education for teens in Hour Teen Scene. It has since become a staple piece of our teen programming, with an alumni list of over 30 young people. Teens in the program also volunteer around the community, including at Hour Community Food Pantry. “Teen Program is not only about caring for yourself, it’s also about caring for the homeless, painting things, and making the community better…we try to help the whole community.” says Lexi, a current Hour Teen Scene participant. Teens will be starting creative workshops with the Josephine Herrick Project. The project will focus on photography skills where teens will complete their own compilation of images from around the Queensbridge community. “One thing that I like about Teen Program is that you can make more friends,” says Lexi. Before Teen Scene, Lexi says she didn’t open up to anyone, but since the program she has learned a lot and learned how to communicate with others. Part of this process was making two good friends for Lexi. “They always make sure I’m okay…they take their time with me.” Lexi hopes to continue with Hour Teen Scene so she can learn more and meet new people.

Your donation will support the vital programs for all of Hour children who come through Hour doors. Your investment allows Hour children to live lives filled with joy and hope.