PUTTING CHILDREN FIRST

Video Conferencing

The Richmond Hill Block Association offers a FREE Videoconferencing and

Technology Program for our elementary school children in the neighborhood. This interactive program allows students to learn about their planet and the universe. Through the use of technology the students research and participate in live Webcast chats with experts around the world.

Students researched and made their own space helmets!

Tutoring

The Richmond Hill Block Association has always held the children of this community in high regard.  Members have always worked closely with the local schools, District Superintendents and the Community School Board to ensure that the children of Richmond Hill receive a fair and just education.

In late 80’s, the Richmond Hill Block Association utilized it’s very own building to bring FREE Tutoring to the local children.  This program is open to all local children; students are picked on a first-come, first-serve basis.  We generally have an on-going wait list because the demand is so high for this service. Reading and Math tutoring is provided by licensed teachers and honor student tutors.  This is not a homework help session.  It is an enrichment and support program tied to the concepts the children are presently learning in school.  We are able to keep the student teacher ratio low, which gives the children more individual attention. This has had phenomenal results.  The parents and teachers of the children who have attended this program have seen a marked improvement in these students. 

We have been able to expand our tutoring sessions to include Day Camp for the tutoring enrollees during the school breaks.  The Day Camp includes arts and crafts and enrichment activities along with special guests and trips to educational exhibits.  The Richmond Hill Block Association has been able to extend this even further and offers a Summer Day Camp for three weeks in August.  This is all at no cost to the children who attend.

Mommy & Me

In the year 2002, the Richmond Hill Block Association was able to extend its youth services to include a FREE Mommy & Me program.  This is open to toddlers 12 months to 3 years of age accompanied by their Mom or Dad.  Registration for this program is on a first-come, first-serve basis.  We try to accommodate any extras with a waiting list. Mommy & Me helps parents build strong emotional bonds with their children through interaction.  They have story time, arts & crafts, gym/movement and songs.  It also enables parents to meet other parents from the community and allows the children to interact with their peers in a safe and fun environment.

Partnership with Schools 

The Richmond Hill Block Association has always worked with the P.T.A.’s, Administration and Staff of our local schools on many different levels.  The new initiative to “partner community with schools” was not new to us.  We have in the past and present provided needed resources, spoken at school meetings, sat on Leadership Teams, and donated educational and craft items when available.

Through the relationships that we have developed with the school staff, we have made it an on-going tradition to help the needy families from the local schools during the holiday season.  At Thanksgiving, with the help of the Richmond Hill Lefferts Blvd. Key Food, we have been able to provide Turkey Dinners with all the fixings for these families.  

The schools work with us in connection with our annual Toy Drive.  The children and staff of the schools donate new, unwrapped toys that are then given to needy families in Richmond Hill.  This is not only wonderful for the needy families but it is wonderful for those who participate in this charitable event.  It gives the children a sense of accomplishment; they are so proud to know that they have helped someone from their own community.  We also accept donations of canned food and unwrapped toys from the public.  If you would like to leave a donation of such, please feel free to bring it into the Richmond Hill Block Association Office on Wednesdays from 9am-4pm.

Santa Day 

All the children of the community are invited when we transform the Richmond Hill Block Association into The North Pole and Santa comes to visit them.  Each child gets to spend some time talking to Santa. They then receive a bag of goodies and a free picture to mark the occasion.  The children and their families spend time enjoying a snack and getting to know their neighbors for this annual tradition.  IT’S A FUN TIME FOR ALL!