Nestled between the entrance of the JC Penney department store and the Starbucks, New Horizon Counseling Center’s Friends Program held a “Superheroes Against Bullying” event inside the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream on March 24.
Batman could not make it, but there were no shortage of “heroes” who sought to help young people navigate the hazardous path to adulthood. Sparkles, an empowerment program for girls in grades six through 12 had board members Yadlynd Cherubin and Doreen Page, along with program member Coralie Sauval, who discussed the offerings and summer camp with interested passersby. For information, go to www.sparkleepf.org.
A few New Horizon’s staff members were on hand, including Shannon Chiuchiolo, a certified recovery coach and family support navigator. Elizabeth Lebowitz, a second-grade teacher at P.S. 66 in Brooklyn, who donates her time to NHCC, made balloon animals.