Sesame Flyers celebrates 36
years of community service
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Caribbean L 22 ife, May 3–9, 2019 BQ
A young boy learns to play the steel pan. Sesame Flyers
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By Nelson A. King
Sesame Flyers International,
Inc., perennial mas band
winners in the Brooklyn-based
West Indian American Day
Carnival Parade, is celebrating
its 36th anniversary.
According to spokesman
Keith L. Forest, Sesame Flyers
International, Inc. is “the
largest contracted Caribbean
American organization in New
York that provides youth development,
cultural, social welfare
and supportive services to individuals
and families.”
Founded in 1983, Forest told
Caribbean Life on Tuesday that
Sesame Flyers International
delivers a variety of year-round
program “that preserve youth,
community and cultural development.
“Whether it’s serving the
younger population by tutoring
students, providing safe and
nurturing spaces for children
to play, organizing community
service activities, running job
readiness programs, providing
case management and counseling
for families in crisis, giving
adult learners access to
GED programs and computer
literacy, instructing health and
fitness or celebrating the rich
traditions of the Caribbean
Diaspora, there are few aspects
of community life Sesame Flyers
does not touch,” he said.
“Day in and day out, Sesame
Flyers International strives to
better the lives of those in our
community by not only providing
important services for both
youth and adults, but by forging
lasting relationships in an
attempt to strengthen bonds
and enhance community development,”
said Executive Director,
Curtis Nelson.
“Celebrating our 36th anniversary
this year, we are grateful
for the tremendous support,
and look forward to continuing
to provide comprehensive,
multi-faceted, holistic strategy
to youth and community development,”
he added. “Moving forward,
we will work to develop
new, innovative programs that
enrich the lives of all who participate.
“It’s pretty sad to say, but
many great organizations, like
ours, had to merge or close their
doors,” Nelson continued. “That
said, Sesame Flyers International
has managed to survive and
thrive, and we are happily and
grateful that we are in our 36th
year.”
Former staff member Chanel
Hill said: “Working at Sesame
Flyers was one of the best times
of my life.
“My supervisor was very supportive
of me and wanted to
see me succeed,” she said. “It
was my first real job after college,
and I was prepared for it
because I worked with them as a
teenager in their Summer Youth
Employment Program.”
“I worked with Sesame for
five years and learned about my
strengths and weaknesses,” Hill
added. “I realized that I wanted
to become a teacher. I was able
to get my Master’s in Education
while working there and
have been a teacher now for 10
years!”
Board Secretary, Dr. Pearl
Elie said: “To enjoy being a part
of something for over three decades
says a lot.
“My children grew up at Sesame
Flyers,” she said. “My grandchildren
are now enjoying the
benefits of the social, cultural
and educational programs still
being offered.
“I am extremely proud of the
fact that many of our young people
have benefitted from our various
programs and are now productive,
contributing members
of our society,” she added. “As we
continue to be a beacon within
our Diaspora, our dedication,
especially to the children gives
voice and life to our motto ‘Love
a Kid Today and Everyday.’”
Parent Keisha Sydney said
Sesame Flyers is “an amazing
company that has a lot of
resources and a lot of potential
for our community.
“I hope we can get more
exposure so people can take
advantage of what they have to
offer,” she said. “Stepping foot
in Sesame Flyer at the age of 14
has been the best experience,
besides giving birth.”
Executive Director Curtis
Nelson. Sesame Flyers
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