ThanksGiving at The Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie
As Thanksgiving approaches, many are looking forward to indulging themselves in their favorite dishes, reconnecting with their friends and family, and being in the comfort of their own home.
At the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie, children there also have a similar opportunity to enjoy Thanksgiving with people who care dearly for them.
The Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie is a non-profit organization that has provided services for families and children in the Hudson Valley region since 1847. In response to staggering poverty levels, a group of women from Poughkeepsie churches had gathered to form a group called the Female Guardian Society. Since then the development of the home and constant flow of workers and volunteers has continued to provide resources to improve and empower families and children.
“What makes this Children’s Home unique is that it has been around since 1847. There is a staff that is dedicated to the organization. Some people have worked here for 20 years, some 30 years. One current staff member has been here for 40 years. People are invested in the organization. Everybody comes together and puts the kids that are here on top of everything,” said Erin Cafarelli, Director of Development and Public Relations.
Erin has been working with the organization for 4 years and 3 months now and was drawn to the organization’s mission.
On average, the home houses between 90–100 children and they range from newborns to 21 year olds. Children are usually sent to the home through the New York State Foster Care System.
However, despite these children’s circumstances, staff members try to make the home as welcoming and comfortable as possible, and one way in which this is obtained is by celebrating their annual Thanksgiving meal.
Though some children have the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with a relative, those who stay experience Thanksgiving with the whole community as well as some of their family members who can make it.
“They like to do things that all kids like to do and we try to give them those experiences,” said Cafarelli.
With the help of volunteers, cooks, staff members and sponsors such as Food Stock, various foods, deserts and drinks are provided. All the foods that are prepared are made from scratch. Each meal trying to capture the essence of home for many of the children there. In the past some dishes that have been made include broccoli and cheese casserole, sweet potato pie, stuffing, turkey –just to name a few.
Dishes usually are different each year depending on the needs of the children. According to Diane Michetti, Food Service Supervisor, the home tries to incorporate dishes that “meet the food needs culturally.” Staff members conduct surveys where the children have an opportunity to express their favorite dishes and the members learn how to better accommodate the children.
Michetti has been working with the organization for 30 years. She explained that children would usually eat a big meal around noon on Thanksgiving Day and then later on in the evening if they were still hungry, left overs of the food would be sent to their cottages where they were housed.
Both Cafarelli and Michetti also informed me that this year a pie and ice-cream social was added as a fun activity to do in the afternoon once the children were done eating.
With only 9 more days left until Thanksgiving the home is currently preparing to make this day special for all kids.
