by Briana Barnes, Program Coordinator, Hammel Houses Cornerstone Community Center Our second annual Color Run was a colorful celebration filled with energy, laughter, and summer fun! Participants came together for an exciting day featuring vibrant color powder, water activities, teamwork, and plenty of smiles. From head to toe, everyone embraced the colors while creating unforgettable memories with friends and staff. Our Color Run continues to be a summer favorite, bringing o

Unlike many town hall events, the Beacon Program at M.S. 226 in South Ozone Park, Queens, didn’t feature politicians. Instead, this town hall featured a group of people who may be even more important: our youth. Billed as the Youth & Youth Leaders Town Hall, the event was hosted by the program’s Youth Council and facilitated by Beacon Youth Council members Alicia, MiaJane, Ava, and Youth Council Group Leader Reachell, all of whom are rising seventh graders. These driven, comm

My name is Jeraldine, and I was recently discharged from the mental health track at the Cohen Family Wellness Center. I am really proud to reach this milestone. About a year ago, I was struggling. I’d get excluded a lot at school. I wasn’t super good with my grades. At home, I was usually in charge of everything. My mom was working a lot, and I’d get in trouble because she’d come home from work tired and stressed. Eventually, I told my mom that I was really depressed. She too