Anthonia A. uses BronxWorks Saturday programming to get closer to her dream of becoming a full-time nurse.

Anthonia A. is a mother of four who immigrated to New York from Nigeria about six years ago. She escaped “a bad situation” for promise of a better and safer life with more opportunity in the U.S. Anthonia currently works in a nursing home as an aide but is looking to further her career by becoming a nurse. “I want to help people. I can do more at the nursing home and be an actual nurse if I have a GED,” she says.

Like so many other people her age who must work full-time to pay their bills, getting the necessary training to pass the GED test is easier said than done. Anthonia faced multiple barriers, including finding a class that was affordable and available during a time that she could attend. “I looked for a program for more than a year. It was so difficult,” she says.

Her oldest daughter recently graduated nursing school and is about to start her career at a local hospital. While talking with her daughter and her daughter’s friends last year, Anthonia mentioned how she also would like to be a nurse. Her daughter’s friend told Anthonia to check out BronxWorks.

In 2022, BronxWorks launched the Saturday Family Wellness Program. The program aims to support maternal and family well-being through a holistic combination of activities. The program is a collaboration between the BronxWorks Health & Wellness Department, which hosts nutrition classes, exercise classes, and other wellness workshops, and the BronxWorks Workforce Development Department, which provides GED prep classes specifically for adults 25 & over.

The Saturday morning GED prep classes were a lifesaver for Anthonia, who is now very close to obtaining her diploma. “Having these classes is a big relief,” she says. “I don’t think I would be able to get the training to pass my test otherwise.” While Anthonia comes specifically for the adult education classes, she loves the other programming available on Saturday mornings. “I love the wellness classes. I love doing Zumba and I especially love the nutrition classes. I came here for the GED but I learned a whole lot more than just what’s on the test.”

To support BronxWorks programs helping people like Anthonia, donate to the BronxWorks Year-End Appeal!

Anthonia A. uses BronxWorks Saturday programming to get closer to her dream of becoming a full-time nurse.

Anthonia A. is a mother of four who immigrated to New York from Nigeria about six years ago. She escaped “a bad situation” for promise of a better and safer life with more opportunity in the U.S. Anthonia currently works in a nursing home as an aide but is looking to further her career by becoming a nurse. “I want to help people. I can do more at the nursing home and be an actual nurse if I have a GED,” she says.

Like so many other people her age who must work full-time to pay their bills, getting the necessary training to pass the GED test is easier said than done. Anthonia faced multiple barriers, including finding a class that was affordable and available during a time that she could attend. “I looked for a program for more than a year. It was so difficult,” she says.

Her oldest daughter recently graduated nursing school and is about to start her career at a local hospital. While talking with her daughter and her daughter’s friends last year, Anthonia mentioned how she also would like to be a nurse. Her daughter’s friend told Anthonia to check out BronxWorks.

In 2022, BronxWorks launched the Saturday Family Wellness Program. The program aims to support maternal and family well-being through a holistic combination of activities. The program is a collaboration between the BronxWorks Health & Wellness Department, which hosts nutrition classes, exercise classes, and other wellness workshops, and the BronxWorks Workforce Development Department, which provides GED prep classes specifically for adults 25 & over.

The Saturday morning GED prep classes were a lifesaver for Anthonia, who is now very close to obtaining her diploma. “Having these classes is a big relief,” she says. “I don’t think I would be able to get the training to pass my test otherwise.” While Anthonia comes specifically for the adult education classes, she loves the other programming available on Saturday mornings. “I love the wellness classes. I love doing Zumba and I especially love the nutrition classes. I came here for the GED but I learned a whole lot more than just what’s on the test.”

To support BronxWorks programs helping people like Anthonia, donate to the BronxWorks Year-End Appeal!

Mirna C. and her family have loved coming to BronxWorks for years.

Mirna C. came to the U.S. from El Salvador in 2011. She lives in the Concourse Village area of the Bronx with her three children. Her oldest son, Yahir, currently participates in BronxWorks COMPASS After-School program. When he was four years old, Mirna enrolled in the BronxWorks Home Instruction For Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program.

HIPPY is a home-based early childhood development and parent education program that gives parents the tools to be their children’s first teachers. A HIPPY parent educator works with each family, visiting their home to provide support and introduce new lessons.

Mirna was pleased with the HIPPY program. “The program was so helpful for my son in getting him prepared for elementary school, and so helpful for me to be able to teach him at home,” she said. She loved the program so much that when her daughters, Brianny and Regina, each reached age 3, she enrolled them in the same program.

“The kids love coming here,” Mirna said. “I keep bringing them back because they have so much fun, they learn a lot, and they feel safe. The after-school program gives my children a place to come and learn so much.” With the launch of the Saturday Family Wellness Program in 2022, Mirna now has a place to spend time with her entire family on the weekends.

Now that the Community Center pool has reopened, Mirna enrolled her children in swim classes. “My children all want to learn how to swim, and it’s important for them to have that skill,” she said. Yahir is already swimming in the deep end of the pool.

Mirna, who also participates in the BronxWorks Community Food Pantry, feels like BronxWorks is not just a place to go, but a part of her family. “My entire family has learned so much here!” she said. “We would not know what to do if it weren’t for the things BronxWorks provides.”

To support BronxWorks programs helping families like Mirna’s, donate to the BronxWorks Year-End Appeal!

Watch Mirna’s Story:

Mirna C. and her family have loved coming to BronxWorks for years.

Mirna C. came to the U.S. from El Salvador in 2011. She lives in the Concourse Village area of the Bronx with her three children. Her oldest son, Yahir, currently participates in BronxWorks COMPASS After-School program. When he was four years old, Mirna enrolled in the BronxWorks Home Instruction For Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program.

HIPPY is a home-based early childhood development and parent education program that gives parents the tools to be their children’s first teachers. A HIPPY parent educator works with each family, visiting their home to provide support and introduce new lessons.

Mirna was pleased with the HIPPY program. “The program was so helpful for my son in getting him prepared for elementary school, and so helpful for me to be able to teach him at home,” she said. She loved the program so much that when her daughters, Brianny and Regina, each reached age 3, she enrolled them in the same program.

“The kids love coming here,” Mirna said. “I keep bringing them back because they have so much fun, they learn a lot, and they feel safe. The after-school program gives my children a place to come and learn so much.” With the launch of the Saturday Family Wellness Program in 2022, Mirna now has a place to spend time with her entire family on the weekends.

Now that the Community Center pool has reopened, Mirna enrolled her children in swim classes. “My children all want to learn how to swim, and it’s important for them to have that skill,” she said. Yahir is already swimming in the deep end of the pool.

Mirna, who also participates in the BronxWorks Community Food Pantry, feels like BronxWorks is not just a place to go, but a part of her family. “My entire family has learned so much here!” she said. “We would not know what to do if it weren’t for the things BronxWorks provides.”

To support BronxWorks programs helping families like Mirna’s, donate to the BronxWorks Year-End Appeal!

Watch Mirna’s Story:

Tia C., a young mother, brings her son Damari to BronxWorks to give him a head start on his education.

Tia C. is a 24-year-old mother to son Damari, age 4. Damari is in his second year at a BronxWorks Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC).

BronxWorks operates two NAEYC-accredited ECLC programs, offering high-quality, full-day childcare facilities with classrooms serving children ages 3-5 years old, with a heavy emphasis on age-appropriate learning and social skills development preparing children for elementary school.

Tia, who works full time as a home health aide, speaks excitedly about the ECLC program at BronxWorks and how important it is to her son’s development. “Pre-K is so often overlooked, and it really is so important,” she says. “I feel like my son is way more prepared for kindergarten next year than he would be otherwise. They do way more here than I can do at home. I feel comfortable knowing he is here.”

Damari, who is full of energy, also loves coming to BronxWorks. If the program closes for a holiday, his mom says he gets sad. “I like playing with my 14 friends,” he says, speaking about his entire class. “I like going to the parks.” A highlight was in April when Tia and other parents of the students all went to Ward Pound Ridge Reservation for the annual trout release. ECLC children raised trout from eggs and then released the young fish into the wild, learning more about the environment and living things.

Knowing her son is learning the necessary skills he needs to prepare for school has allowed Tia to take her evenings to go back to school part time for cosmetology. “This program is so important,” she said. “The students are safe and comfortable, and it makes them want to come to school.”

To support BronxWorks programs helping families like Tia’s, donate to the BronxWorks Year-End Appeal!

Tia C., a young mother, brings her son Damari to BronxWorks to give him a head start on his education.

Tia C. is a 24-year-old mother to son Damari, age 4. Damari is in his second year at a BronxWorks Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC).

BronxWorks operates two NAEYC-accredited ECLC programs, offering high-quality, full-day childcare facilities with classrooms serving children ages 3-5 years old, with a heavy emphasis on age-appropriate learning and social skills development preparing children for elementary school.

Tia, who works full time as a home health aide, speaks excitedly about the ECLC program at BronxWorks and how important it is to her son’s development. “Pre-K is so often overlooked, and it really is so important,” she says. “I feel like my son is way more prepared for kindergarten next year than he would be otherwise. They do way more here than I can do at home. I feel comfortable knowing he is here.”

Damari, who is full of energy, also loves coming to BronxWorks. If the program closes for a holiday, his mom says he gets sad. “I like playing with my 14 friends,” he says, speaking about his entire class. “I like going to the parks.” A highlight was in April when Tia and other parents of the students all went to Ward Pound Ridge Reservation for the annual trout release. ECLC children raised trout from eggs and then released the young fish into the wild, learning more about the environment and living things.

Knowing her son is learning the necessary skills he needs to prepare for school has allowed Tia to take her evenings to go back to school part time for cosmetology. “This program is so important,” she said. “The students are safe and comfortable, and it makes them want to come to school.”

To support BronxWorks programs helping families like Tia’s, donate to the BronxWorks Year-End Appeal!