Celebrating Wellness, Together: A Joyful Self-Care Day for Bronx Families
On June 10, NIDC’s Family Support Network (FSN), in partnership with the Health Hub, hosted our annual Family Self-Care Day at PS/MS 89, and it was a beautiful evening filled with joy, connection, and healing.
Nearly 50 adults and 75 children attended the event, which was designed to offer parents and caregivers dedicated time to recharge, while also engaging their children in fun, age-appropriate self-care activities. The goal? To create a space where mental wellness is celebrated, not pathologized, and where families can build resilience together.
The two-hour celebration featured:
Zumba and line dancing led by a professional coach
Mocktail “sip and paint” sessions with a professional artist
Hand pampering, stress ball creation, and DIY self-care wheels
A children’s self-care room, where kids practiced mindfulness and creativity
A short but impactful talk on self-care and PTSD (June is PTSD Awareness Month) by NIDC social worker Onleilove Alston
Music, giveaways, and a photo booth with mental health tips
Opportunities to meet and speak with our Director of Social Services and learn about NIDC programs
Thanks to the dedication of our staff and volunteers, including members of the Family Advisory Board who came early to help set up, the event ran smoothly and left attendees inspired and empowered.
One especially meaningful moment came when a parent shared how a past FSN workshop on decluttering helped her navigate an emotional life transition. Her words were a testament to the lasting impact our programs can have. “I cried during that session,” she told our team, “but the book you gave me and the workshop helped me push through. I’ve decluttered, and I’m doing much better.” Since then, she’s joined her school’s PTA and helped lead during Self-Care Day.
We were also honored to receive City Council Citations recognizing the impact of our staff and programs.
Events like these are more than just fun - they’re a vital part of how we build stronger, healthier families. Thank you to everyone who made this possible. We can’t wait to do it again next year.
Event Resources
