Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC) hosted its 10th Annual Neighborhood Festival on Friday, June 16, celebrating both Pride and Juneteenth. The event was held at the center located at 3101 Kingsbridge Terrace.

 

KHCC is a settlement house founded in 1974 by community activists Janet Athanasidy, Patricia Burns, and Mary McLoughlin, serving the Kingsbridge Heights neighborhood and the Bronx. KHCC offers programs and services in multiple sites for more than 4,500 people annually from English language classes to childcare to early head start programs, a food pantry, gardening, a day summer camp and more.

A planned barbecue was brought inside on the day due to a thunderstorm, but the rain did not dampen the atmosphere. There was a bouncy castle, food, treats and games.

 

District 14 City Council Member Pierina Sanchez, who, as reported, recently declared victory in the Democratic Primary election held on June 27, was in attendance at the event. “KHCC is a safe haven where everyone can embrace their true selves with authenticity and joy,” Sanchez said. “I’m proud to have them in our district as they continue to welcome everyone to our district.”

 

Mom, Vicki Morsy, and daughter, Maya, were seen enjoying themselves while eating popcorn and ices.

 

Keith Yearwood, recreation specialist, and Robert Rodriguez, youth operations director at Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC), handed out free books by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels. See our previous story on McDaniels here.

Hector Cruz, custodian of Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, was seen taking a break to eat a hamburger, with board member Gail Perek.

 

Meanwhile, therapy dog, Cameron, 7, was seen with supervising therapist, Cassandra Glantz, who said he loves to pose for the camera.

Frasherly Genao and Maria Raminrez were present on the day and said they loved the event.

 

KHCC recently hosted a Recognition Dinner to honor and celebrate the college directions program class of 2023 as they set off for college. “A special thank you to Con Edison for providing scholarships to the students,” KHCC representatives said of the event. “We are immensely proud of your hard work!!”

A Father’s Day celebration was also held at the center recently, as were graduation celebrations for both juniors (on June 28) and adults studying English. “Congratulations to our ESOL graduating class!” representatives of the center said on June 26. “We are incredibly proud of your efforts and commend you for taking the initiative to learn English. Your future is bright!”

 

Kingsbridge Heights Community Center offers an entrepreneurial workforce development program. Visit our Neighborhood Notes section for more details about this and some of the other courses and activities it offers.

Representatives of KHCC said the center has been providing cradle-to-career services to the local community for nearly 50 years. It recently called on the local community to help fund urgent repairs needed to its building (owned by NYC Parks) which cost $4 million.

Representatives for the center later wrote, in part, of the festival, “Thank you to everyone who attended our Neighborhood Festival! In addition to celebrating our community, we also paid tribute to Pride Month and Juneteenth. We strive to create a safe space where individuals of all ages can truly be themselves.”