Celebrating Community at Amsterdam Houses Family Day

REPORT from the FIELD
By intern Kate G. 

This past Saturday, August 15, proved to be a beautiful day for Amsterdam Houses' annual celebration of family and fun: Family Day 2011! Neighbors mingled and danced to the festive music, kids enthusiastically lined up for face painting, and young and old alike flocked to the cotton candy!

LW!'s intern Kate Gilmore, Dir. of Ed. Debi Germann, and
Dir. of Preservation Cristiana Peña manning the table!

LW!'s contributions to the day: historic photos from the construction of Amsterdam Houses (an LW! Wish List site!), in the late 1940s. The images brought back fond memories, and we spoke with many residents that shared their stories of growing up in the community. 

Sharing historic images of Amsterdam Houses with Family Day celebrants.

Featuring images of Amsterdam Houses' construction, LW's photo board
sparked many-a reminiscence among Family Day attendees!

Cristiana learns from a life-long resident of Amsterdam Houses
how the area has changed over the decades.

It’s the community members that make our historic buildings such valued treasures! No one knows this better than Margarita Curet, a 2011 "Unsung Hero", who has work tirelessly as the President of the Resident Association. Luckily, she was able to share Family Day with her own family, too! 

Resident Assoc. President Margarita Curet (center, blue) introduces LW!
to her mother (center, seated).

Volunteers from Fordham University engage with Amsterdam Houses youth.
Face painting for everyone!

We'll see you next year for Amsterdam Houses Family Day 2012!