The Humanity Crew, in collaboration with the Bank Street community, announces “Project Hope": The Parents Association and Parents of Children of Color (POCOC) ) are counting on you to help assist Syrian refugees and their children. Our community is uniquely positioned to support Syrian children living in refugee transit camps as they await permission to travel to Europe. Our vision is to work together to raise funds so local organizations like the Humanity Crew can provide transitional toys (i.e., teddy bears) for children, as well as informational booklets in Arabic for parents on how to address the emotional needs of their children as they go through this crisis. Although the basic needs of refugees are provided for, aid organizations on the ground have noted that the lack of access to play is impacting the emotional well-being of already vulnerable children. Although some aid organizations are now providing play-based intervention sessions, the sheer lack of resources means that children have to return their toys at the end each day. The Bank Street community understands the importance of play. Toys have an emotional value to children and have a valuable, documented role in transitional stages. The teddy bears, along with the aforementioned information booklets developed by Lesley Koplow, Director of the Center for Emotionally Responsive Practice at Bank Street College, represent a small step in enabling these children and their families to adapt to their new reality. Please donate to Project Hope by clicking here. POCOC volunteers will also be available at a table in the lobby to answer your questions and accept your donations. They need additional help at the table, and you can sign up for a volunteer slot here. Comments are closed.
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