what we do
The Arts & Literacy program addresses the educational needs of Bushwick and Queens’ children by providing them with opportunities to create, think, communicate, and problem solve.
Our mailing address is:
jhu@hispanicfamilyservicesny.org
our curriculum
WELLNESS activity
During wellness activity students are provided with physical activities, mindfulness activities and other types of stimulating games for the children to enjoy. These activities may include but are not limited to Yoga, Freeze Dance, Simon Says, and I Spy etc. These activities help the children stay engaged, stay active and also relieve stress from the school day.
ART PROJECT
During art project time students engage in activities that help them practice on their art skills. They will also be able to showcase their art work to their families and friends at the end of each semester.
homework help
During homework help students focus on getting their homework and any assignments that their daytime/classroom teachers have assigned them. Students will also be provided with tutoring help from the homework teacher and other teacher’s that assist them.
ART THERAPY
Art Therapy is another part of our afterschool programming. The art therapists on site work with students on a weekly basis individually and in groups. Art Therapy offers a space to work on art projects that help strengthen creativity, self-esteem, and provide a time to discuss personal triumphs and trials. Art Therapy services can be requested at any point throughout the year. We aim to support families in a holistic way and are able to provide referrals for other resources within and outside of the Coalition. If you have any questions about Art Therapy, come and speak with us during dismissal, or email Julia the on-site Art Therapist at jzell@hispanicfamilyservicesny.org.
Artists of the Week
Each week we award young artists who create amazing art work which include, visual art, creative writing, music, and performance theatre. Each artist's work is featured on our Instagram (@artsnliteracy_ps7), and each artist is awarded certificate of achievement.
Past Events
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Summer Art Festival
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Halloween Project
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Summer Art Festival
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Lights On Afterschool
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Hispanic Heritage Month Project
Upcoming events
Art Therapy Parent Group
The P.S. 7 Art Therapy Parent Group will be starting this December. The Art Therapy staff will provide art materials and hold space for parents on Zoom to create art, engage in self-care, process their experiences and emotions, as well as connect with one another. We know that parenting comes with its fair share of challenges and stresses, (this year in particular!) and we hope to provide you all with a supportive space in which you can speak about your experiences openly as well as take some much-needed time to care for yourselves and explore your creativity.
ARTS&LITERACY PS 7 STAFF
admin team
Jiawen Hu
Site Director
Jiawen Hu is a theatre maker and teaching artist originally from Hangzhou, China. Jiawen has been working on community-based theatre projects with underrepresented groups including Chinese females, English Language Learners, immigrants, and LGBTQ communities. She has also served as a teaching artist with immigrant youth and multilingual learners in New York City and major cities in China. Jiawen enjoys making embroidery, watching movies, going to museums and swimming.
Lovanna abbott
Assistant Site Director & Teaching Artist
Ms. Lovanna began as an apprentice with Arts and Literacy in March 2020 and has worked her way up to Teaching Artist and Assistant Site Director. She graduated in May 2021 with a Bachelor’s in Sociology at Hunter College and plans to soon begin schooling for her Master’s. So far, she’s mostly worked with K, 1st and 2nd grade. When she is not working with the kids, she loves to tend to her plants, spend time with friends and family, play games, explore nature and go to the beach!
Teacher Team
Crystal Simon
Teaching Artist
Crystal Simon graduated with a Masters of Arts in Educational Theatre from Adelphi University. She graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama. Crystal is an alumni of the National Theatre Institute Program at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. She had the pleasure of studying at the Saint Petersburg State Theatre Arts Academy in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Crystal also attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center where she was a drama major. In her spare time, she loves to play card games, watch tv & listen to music.
Lysander Puccio
Teaching Artist
Lysander Puccio is a visual artist and teaching artist who has been making art and crafting since childhood when her after school art teachers shared their love of classical Western Art and the belief that all of us are creative. Inspired by this belief, she has explored and learned about creative traditions from all around the world and loves to share the act of creating art with everyone she teaches from elementary students to older adults.
Elizabeth Diaz
Teaching Artist
Ms. Elizabeth is born and raised in Queens, New York. She has been working at Art and Literacy for about five years. Ms. Elizabeth has a B.A. in Social Work and is currently enrolled in graduate school at the Silver School of Social Work at NYU for her masters in Social Work! She chose this field because she loves to help and advocate for those in need. Outside of work, she is really into playing video games, drawing, reading, baking, and shopping!
Athena magno
Homework Teacher
Ms. Athena (K/1st Grade) is a homework helper in her fourth year with Arts & Literacy! She’s taught a wide range of different grades, but has been with Kindergarten, and 1st grade for two years now! She’s currently studying Illustration, and Digital Art, and soon to be preparing for art school in Europe! Outside of work you can catch her playing her favorite video games, watching anime, or filling up her sketchbooks!
Carolina reyes
Homework Teacher
Ms.Carolina joined our Arts & Literacy program in September of 2020. She is one of our homework warriors and has worked with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade. She plans to earn her college degree in Writing & Literature to become a Journalist. When she is not at work you can catch her spending time with her friends doing new adventures. She also loves listening to her favorite music and taking pictures of the clouds in the sky because they fascinate her.
REYNELSON ALBARRAN
Homework Teacher
Mr. Rey (4th/5th Grade) is a Homework Helper for the Arts and Literacy Program. He has been with the Arts and Literacy program a little over 5 years now! He primarily works with 4th and 5th graders, but has worked with 3rd grade as well. He has a wide range of interests that include fashion/styling, photography and pop culture and some of his hobbies include gaming, watching anime, reading comics and watching movies - specifically comic book films.
DAVID SOTO-RIOS
Homework Teacher
Mr. David (Homework Teacher) has been working at this program for 3 years and enjoys working with the children. David is Puerto Rican and Colombian and speaks English and Spanish fluently. He is a writer and content creator. He writes novels, short stories and creates short films. He specialized in film in high school and is currently an English/Literature and Writing Major in College.
NATASHA JIMENEZ
Teaching Artist
Ms. Natasha began as a homework teacher last October and is now a teaching artist. She studied astronomy at Boston University so naturally she has an interest in space and physics. She mixes learning about space with art projects in her class. Outside of work, she enjoys plants, painting, watching movies and playing with her new kitten, Leo.
SABIHA NURA
Apprentice
Ms. Sabiha is an apprentice for the third grade. She loves to watch and help students achieve their full potential. She enjoys giving advice and mentoring students. She loves learning about history and different cultures. Her favorite movie genre is comedy and romance, her least favorite movie genre is horror. In her free time, she loves cooking, journaling, reading books, and going to the gym!
Komal Kaler
Apprentice
Komal (Ms.K) is an apprentice in Arts and Literacy. Ms.K is currently a sophomore in Queens College, working her way up to be an English teacher. She loves spending time working and playing with the kids. In her free time, Ms.K loves to work out, listen to music and read.
Perla Villanueva
Apprentice
Ms. Perla is currently a student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She is an apprentice, and works with 4th and 5th grade at Arts and Literacy. When she’s not working she enjoys reading books of all kinds and writing stories of her own.
Britney ONG
Apprentice
Ms. Britney (Ms. B) is an apprentice in Arts and Literacy. She is an English major in her junior year at Queens College. Currently, she is working to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher. In her free time, she loves to listen to music, sing, read, play games and sports.
Sonam sherpa
Apprentice
Mr. Sonam attends High School in Long Island City. He began working at Arts and literacy in 2020 as intern, now he is an Apprentice. So far, he mostly works with 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade. He loves to play new games and teach the kids how to do fun exercises. When he is free, he likes to go the gym, walk in beautiful nature and watch comedy shows.
daina best
Apprentice
Ms. B has been with the Arts and Literacy program for nearly a year and has been an apprentice for nearly 4 months. She’s currently a freshman at Guttman Community College majoring in business. She’s working towards the goal of not only earning her business degree but to also become a cosmetologist. Outside of school and work, one of her favorite past times is to experiment with anything beauty related.
Art therapy team
JULIA ZELL
Julia Zell is an Art Therapist for Arts & Literacy. Julia earned her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Cornell University, and her Master’s in Art Therapy and Creativity Development from Pratt Institute. She is passionate about sharing the mental, physical, and spiritual benefits of the creative process. Julia loves languages, spending time outdoors, and her pet bunny!
JIANI LIU
Jiani Liu is an art therapy intern for Arts & Literacy. Jiani graduated from University of California, Irvine with BA degrees in Fine Art and Psychological Science. She is currently a first-year graduate student at School of Visual Arts for MPS Art Therapy. She loves to watch movies, make art, and hang out with her cats in her free time!
CHRIS KUO
Chris Kuo is an art therapy intern for Arts & Literacy. He is currently a first-year graduate student at School of Visual Arts studying in Art Therapy. He graduated from Tung-Hai University in Taiwan, with BA degrees in Industrial Design. He loves to go hiking, play volleyball and make art in his free time! Sweet is his favorite food!
lets get social!
