The Neighborhood Center Inc.

??? Ms. Anna and Outreach & Prevention are at it again! This time, they’re bringing a special donation to Hope House—custom-made aprons for the amazing volunteers who serve food! ????? With a little help from our talented School-Age Child Care kids, these aprons are as unique as the hands that made them. ?? Outreach & Prevention runs Monday – Friday from 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm and Monday nights from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm for teens. Open to community youth, ages 8-18. #GrowingStrongerCommunities

Some say the first sign of spring is birds chirping… but at The Neighborhood Center and North Utica Community Center, we know the real sign of spring is when the sidewalk chalk comes out! ?????? Let the masterpieces begin! ?? #HelloSpring #SidewalkChalkSeason #GrowingStrongerCommunities

?????????????????????? ???????? ?????????????????? It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Mary Hightower, a beloved member of The Neighborhood Center family. Mary joined the Center in 1963, initially telling then-Executive Director Marie Russo that she would stay for just one year. That "one year" turned into an incredible 38 years of dedicated service to our community. As Assistant Director, Mary played a vital role in shaping the Center’s family and youth programs. She taught swimming to thousands of children, ensuring they not only learned an important life skill but also built confidence and joy in the water. Her impact extended far beyond the pool—she was an extraordinary grant writer, securing funding with a remarkable 99% success rate, bringing in more than $4.5 million to support our mission. Mary worked tirelessly, day in and day out, to make The Neighborhood Center a place of outstanding service, care, and opportunity for those who needed it most. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched and the programs she helped build. Our hearts are with her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Rest in peace, Mary. Your dedication and kindness will never be forgotten. ??

NEW DATE ADDED ?? ?????????????????? ???????????????????? ?????????????? – ?????????????? ?????????? ?????????????? ?? In response to the recent events at Sangertown Mall, The Neighborhood Center’s Behavioral Health team is offering an informal debriefing session for anyone affected. ?????????????? ?????? ???????? ??????????, ???????? ?????????????? ?????? ??????, ???? ?????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? ?????? ??????????????????, ???? ???????????? ?????? ???? ???????? ???? ???? ?? ???????? ?????? ???????????????????? ??????????. ?? Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2025 ?? Location: North Utica Community Center ?? Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm ?? What to Expect: Group & individual sessions available, emotional support, and resources to help process what happened. There’s no right or wrong way to feel after a traumatic event—your emotions are valid, and you are not alone. No registration is required; just come as you are. If you are unable to make this session and would like to speak one on one with a counselor, both our Utica and Rome clinics will continue to host open access hours. #CommunitySupport #YouAreNotAlone #MentalHealthMatters

?? ?? Our Purple Penguins had a blast painting vases today! They explored color mixing, let their creativity shine, and filled the room with rainbow colors. ?? These little artists are getting ready for St. Patrick’s Day, and their beautiful vases are just the beginning of the fun! ??? #GrowingStrongerCommunities #preschool

March means it is time for some St. Patrick's Day themed activities! Blue Bears searched their sensory trays to find hidden gold coins! We better be careful -- gold is known to attract mischievous leprechauns! #GrowingStrongerCommunities #sensoryplay #preschool

Some of our infants are working on their coordination and fine motor skills! Watching a baby stack, knock over, and explore Mega Bloks isn’t just adorable—it’s an important part of their development! These oversized, colorful blocks provide endless opportunities for little ones to grow and learn. They are learning to control their movements as they aim to fit blocks together, improving their dexterity and precision. #infants #GrowingStrongerCommunities

Get Ready! ???????? ???? ?????????????? is 5 Weeks Out! ??? Join us on Saturday, April 12 at Vernon Downs Casino for an unforgettable evening. ?? April 12, 2025 @ 7 PM ?? 21+ Event ?? Stay tuned for more details here on our socials. You won’t want to miss this night of mystery, music, and memories. ? ?? A Masquerade & Black Tie Affair ?? Live Music by The Uptown Groove ?? Interactive Performers ?? Indulgent Dinner + 4-Hour Open Bar Purchase tickets NOW: ??? GalaDiMistero.com 2024 Photos by ?? One Nine Photography #GalaDiMistero #TheNeighborhoodCenter

Thank you to author Dierdre Sinnott for an engaging and insightful presentation during our Lunch & Learn series North Utica Community Center! She shared a fascinating look into her research on local women's roles in the Abolition Movement and the Underground Railroad. It was incredible to see historic photos of our own streets and learn about their deep connection to this pivotal time in history. After the presentation, Dierdre took questions from the audience and stayed to sign copies of her book. A big thank you to The Treehouse Reading and Arts Center for selling copies on-site! #deirdresinnott #growingstrongercommunities

The Blue Bears had a blast celebrating Read Across America with a Dr. Seuss spirit week! ???? They dressed alike, wore silly costumes, and most importantly, read their favorite Dr. Seuss books together. It was a fun-filled week of literacy and imagination! #ReadAcrossAmerica #DrSeuss #GrowingStrongerCommunities #preschool