Salvadori Center

Salvadori Center is proud to partner with Charlie Avolio in both Board service and birthday celebrations. ?? Please join us all in celebrating Charlie's birthday coming up! If you are able, please consider a contribution to Salvadori's Appeal in honor of Charlie's big birthday. https://bit.ly/4cRsi8h

We recently came together to share gratitude and great food at our annual Thanksgiving potluck! ???? ?? We’re thankful for our amazing team who continuously support one another and make a difference every day. Here’s to teamwork, community, and gratitude! ?? #ThanksgivingPotluck #SalvadoriGratitude

Thank you NYC Council Member Lynn Schulman and Deputy Chief of Staff Seth Urbinder for visiting Salvadori’s Animal Habitat’s after school program at P.S. 66Q, The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School! ?? Council Member Schulman engaged with the students as they learned about animal habitats, mapping, layout, and proportion. When Council Member Schulman asked second grader Matteo what he wanted to be when he grows up, he enthusiastically replied, “A builder!” ?? The support from City Council Members allows Salvadori to bring hands-on STEAM learning to students all over New York! Thank you to Council Member Schulman for the CASA grant support and to the P.S. 66Q community for the long-term partnership!???

Today for Native American Heritage Month, we’re honoring Chris Cornelius, a proud member of the Oneida Nation and the Founding Principal of Studio:Indigenous ?? ? Chris's journey in architecture began in 8th grade, when he first started drawing and sketching. His passion for design grew as he participated in a job program where he worked alongside a tribal planner, designing homes built within the Oneida Nation. Growing up in an area where Native culture and community feedback were often overlooked, Chris made it his mission to incorporate these elements into his architectural career, ensuring that Indigenous voices and values were woven into his designs. ?? ? Chris received his Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and went on to earn his Master of Architecture from the University of Virginia. With the goal of elevating Native culture in architecture, he founded studio:indigenous, a firm dedicated to promoting Indigenous ways of life and cultural principles through thoughtful design. ?? ? Chris’s work challenges the underrepresenting norm of housing developments, emphasizing that design should honor and reflect Indigenous ways of living. His approach seeks to correct the historical disregard for Native communities in housing projects, advocating for designs that respect ceremony, governance, and commerce within Indigenous families and communities. ?? In addition to his work, Cornelius has been recognized with many awards and honors, including the inaugural Miller Prize from EXHIBIT COLUMBUS and multiple Best of Design Awards from The Architect's Newspaper. He was also awarded an artist residency from the National Museum of the American Indian. In 2023, his firm received the Architect’s Newspaper Best of Practice Award for Best Small Firm in the Southwest. ?? Through his practice, Chris is reshaping the landscape of architecture, ensuring that Indigenous culture is recognized and deeply integrated into the built environment. ?? #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth

Yesterday we had the pleasure of hosting Mark Nitis, Budget Director from Council Member Kristy Marmorato’s district 13 office, at PS 105X for our Salvadori Animal Habitats after school program. ?? ? During the visit, Mark was able to see Educator Melissa engage students in learning about different types of animals, their habitats, and adaptations that allow animals to thrive in the habitats.?As the program progresses, students will learn how animals?build their?homes, and?as a final project, will build a model zoo! ?? We are grateful for the longstanding partnership with PS 105X and appreciate all the support that Council Member Marmorato’s office provides to the community. ?? ?

Yesterday, Angelica Colón, Budget Director for Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez, visited Salvadori students at PS 196K: The Williamsburg Bridge Magnet School, during their Bridges after-school program. ?? While visiting, Ms. Colón observed students testing the forces in an arch bridge and recording how much weight their paper arch bridge could support.?Students were stunned that a bridge simply made of paper was able to hold so much weight! ?? We thank Council Member Gutierrez, who represents council district 34, for continuing to support our long-standing partnership with PS 196.?Together in collaboration with New York City Council, United Community Schools, and PS 196K’s teachers and administration, we have been able to provide vital STEAM programs to students. ??

For Native American Heritage Month, we’re highlighting Tamarah Begay, a member of the Navajo Nation and the first female Navajo licensed architect. ?? ? Tamarah’s journey started with a love for sports, however after shifting her focus, she discovered architecture and immediately knew it was the field for her. Despite architecture being a male-dominated field, Tamarah pushed through the obstacles and forged her own path. ?? ? Tamarah earned her Bachelor and Master of Architecture degrees from The University of New Mexico. Over the past 14 years, she has focused on bringing Native American culture into her designs, while educating others on Native language and design along the way. In 2012, she founded Indigenous Design Studio + Architecture, LLC (IDS+A), a firm that employs Indigenous staff who are often the first architects from their tribes. Together, they’re dedicated to elevating design quality in underrepresented tribal communities. ?? ? Tamarah’s impact has been recognized through multiple awards, including the 2016 “40 Under 40” from The National Center For American Indian Enterprise Development, the 2021 AIA NEW MEXICO “Elevate Young Architect Award,” and the 2021 “Women in Architecture Activist Award.” ?? ? We’re inspired by the impact Tamarah’s work has had on the architecture and design industry. ??

Thanks to the visionary support of the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, our STEAM programs in Northeastern Pennsylvania are reaching more students than ever! ?? After supporting three of our after-school programs last year, the McGowan Fund increased its commitment in 2024-2025, expanding our reach to three after-school sites and two summer programs, impacting over 1,000 students. William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, we are grateful for your partnership in bringing academic STEAM education to Pennsylvania! ?? About the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund: The William G. McGowan Charitable Fund has, since its inception, maintained a vision to impact lives, to create sustainable change, and to empower future generations to achieve their greatest potential. The Fund brings that vision to life through grant-making efforts in three program areas: Education, Human Services, and Healthcare. They prioritize programs that have demonstrated success, have measurable outcomes, plans for sustainability, and aim to end cycles of poverty and suffering. Resolute in the belief in the power of partnerships or collaborative efforts to maximize impact, the Fund embraces opportunities to work with other partners across their key program areas, looking for funding opportunities that share their philosophy and exploring the possibility of joint projects with other nonprofit organizations. The Fund is managed in accordance with values deeply held by its benefactor, William G. McGowan. Among these are ethical leadership and the belief that every life has equal value. For more information, please visit https://lnkd.in/dFQydbbm.

We’re excited to share the progress of our NYCHA STEAM Innovators Program in partnership with the Public Housing Community Fund!??? ? Our students have completed the design phase of their community centers, and now, we’ve begun bringing their vision to life! From sanding and painting to building furniture, each step is helping us create a space that will positively impact New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) student residents and their entire community. This transformation wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Public Housing Community Fund, the NEW YORK BUILDING FOUNDATION INC, and the dedicated volunteers from Turner Construction Company: ? Adam Bukberg Zachary D. Landtroop Stephanie Cantos Jared Senius Rowan Mohamed Paul Martinez Hillary Abordo Samantha Yeung Dabiana Begum ? Thank you for your time, hard work, and commitment! Stay tuned for more updates—and for the upcoming ribbon cutting!??? ? #NYCHASTEAM #CommunityImpact #ThankYou

We sold out for the fall!?Don’t miss out on booking for the Winter and Spring! Book a STEAM program for your students today. Learn more at www.salvadori.org/programs.