We inspire hope, instill confidence, and build community through creative, evidence-informed programs designed for children, youth, and families.
We focus on ensuring all Hunts Point residents have access to the necessary academic, social, and mental health tools they need by offering high-quality programs and services for local children, youth, and families. Powered by the HPAC Community-to-Career approach, we build long-term relationships with our participants, partners, and staff that are honest, inclusive, and authentic. Our year-round programs aim to broaden children’s horizons and help them foster a love of learning, gain aptitude for critical thinking, and develop an appreciation for the arts and sciences.
Funtastic Reading
For Children, Birth to Age 4 and Parents
Funtastic Reading is a once a week drop-in class at the HPAC Early Childhood Library. Each week, parents and children read a book together and create craft projects, while having continuous access to borrow books. All families have free access to over 1,900 books with numerous bilingual selections.
Family School Skills
For Children, Birth to Age 4 and Parents
Family School Skills is an eight-week program that prepares children for school and builds comfort with routine and social skills. Parents meet other peers, focus on strengthening parent-child relationships, and learn about communication and the importance of allowing children to lead during playtime.
Literacy Through Science
Shakespeare Ensemble
For Children, Ages 5-8
The Early Childhood pilot program was created to engage elementary students in fun literacy activities through hands-on science experiments. The goal of the program is to facilitate students in their reading and writing by connecting experiments to non-fiction and fiction read alouds, so that they can practice their reading and writing in a fun scientific way.
For 4th, 5th, and 6th Graders
The Shakespeare Ensemble is a year-long after-school theater program in collaboration with The Public Shakespeare Initiative at the Public Theater. The program gives students the opportunity to study, understand, and perform a Shakespeare play. The year concludes with a full Public Theater production of the play including sets, costumes, and originally composed music.
Mighty Quills Program
Storefront Ensemble
For 7th and 8th Graders
The Storefront Ensemble is an after-school program that engages Hunts Point middle school students and focuses on the importance of storytelling. Students participate in writing projects focused on their world, their communities, and the world around them. The year-long program culminates in the creation of a theater performance composed of students’ selected pieces performed for their peers, family, and community.
For 9th-11th Grade Students
The Mighty Quills Program is a year-long program that further develops Hunts Point youth writing abilities. The program encourages students to express themselves and pushes students to think critically about important issues and how they impact young people of color.
The Family Project
For All Hunts Point Children & Families
The Family Project’s aim is to support Hunts Point families achieve household stability so that parents can focus on providing a nurturing, secure, and supportive home environment for children and youth.
