Cabrini Immigrant Services – Dobbs Ferry, NY (CIS-DF) has been focusing on Mission. As we welcome our clients, we want them, both adults and children, to know who St. Cabrini is and why we are called Cabrini Immigrant Services. With the theme, ‘Our Mission Finds Life…’ we wanted to highlight how in our current times, we continue to walk in the footsteps of Mother Cabrini.

In addition to showing the movie, CABRINI, we had Sr. Bridget Zanin, MSC speak to our clients about the life of St. Cabrini.  Several of our clients have created their own timelines using their personal stories and have shown how they are part of the Cabrini Mission. We had a recent visit with some Carmelite Sisters, as well. Our clients shared with them their personal stories and explained how they, too, are part of the Cabrini mission.  ~ submitted by Lorraine Campanelli, Director, CIS-DF

We would like to share some pictures of our Mission Project:

Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, NY held a STARS (StoryTelling, Art, Reading and Socialization) Program for students in grades Kindergarten – 2. Dr. Wendy Mages, our trained s toryteller, told the story, The Way You Shine by Marielle E. Sabellico. The children loved the story and discussed how they shine in their community. Some children shine by helping at home, some recycle, some water plants and there were so many other ways.

CIS-DF has been working on Mission. Using the theme, “Our Mission Finds Life…,” our clients have been showing how they are part of the Mission of St. Cabrini. With that in mind, our children learned more about St. Cabrini and about what mission means. Our two high school interns explained how Mother Cabrini shined throughout her life and how her mission demonstrated how God’s goodness was transcendent through her faithfulness.

The interns explained how each of us is part of the Cabrini Mission. They created two art projects for the children to complete based on the book. Using paint, each child had their handprints put on a paper. Then, they received a star, and they illustrated how they help their community and how they shine brightly.

For the second project, the children learned about the journeys by boat that Mother Cabrini took throughout her life. Each child received a paper boat which they decorated. Inside each boat was a violet (made of purple ribbon). The children were proud that their hands, stars and boats would be included on our mission wall.

The children were so happy to get a copy of the book. They are going to share the story with their families and tell them about how they are part of the Cabrini Mission.

Shirley Godoi, Administrative Assistant at CIS DF, led the session and explained how people are receiving text messages and emails requesting money and personal information. She emphasized that no one should share personal or financial information by phone unless they are certain of who is contacting them.

One of the major topics that was discussed was the protection of banking and financial information. Shirley stressed that you should never open any of your banking/financial information while in public places, especially when using public Wi Fi or charging a phone at a public charging station. She explained that these places can expose sensitive information to cybercriminals. It is essential to wait until you are in a secure, private location before opening any financial apps or documents.

Another segment focused on downloading apps safely. Shirley walked participants through checking to make sure an app is safe to download. She also told them to be cautious about any fees that may be added when downloading the app.

Shirley stressed the importance of not answering any calls or opening email if you do not know who is calling or sending the email. She conducted a demonstration on how to block unwanted phone numbers and report spam.

Everyone left feeling more confident when using their phones. They said they learned a great deal and will be extremely cautious when opening apps or responding to texts in the future.

Tuesday of this week was a ‘picture-perfect day.’  The sun was shining brightly, the temperature was in the high eighties, you didn’t need a winter coat or an umbrella. I thought, could this day get any better? It did!

The children wrote a story about one of Ms. Kaufman’s critters, whom they named Bella. Anne Marie Santoro, the teacher of our Sharing Stories! Making Movies! Program, shared the story with Ms. Kaufman who thought it was so wonderful that she published it in her new book.

I was honored to present a copy of the book to the librarian at Springhurst Elementary School in Dobbs Ferry, NY. Many of the authors’ classmates and teachers attended the ceremony that was held in the library. On display in the library was a sign that read, “We’re so proud of our student authors.”

One of the authors read the story to the group. After the reading, I presented the book to the librarian. She then asked each of the authors to sign the book. It was such a proud moment to see our students being recognized in such a unique way. It was beautiful to see all the support and accolades that they received from their teachers and classmates.                                              ~ submitted by Lorraine Campanelli, Director, CIS-DF

Cabrini Immigrant Services, Dobbs Ferry, NY held a STARS (StoryTelling, Art, Reading and Socialization) Program for students in Grades Kindergarten – 2. Dr. Wendy Mages, a trained storyteller, told the story, Howard B. Wigglebottom and the Monkey on His Back by Howard Binkow and Rev. Ana.

The children listened intently as they heard about how Howard B. Wigglebottom kept making wrong choices throughout the day. When confronted with a situation, Mr. Wigglebottom would always lie because he didn’t want to get in trouble. After the story was told, the students had a very lively discussion about the importance of being truthful.

The children then made sock puppets and reenacted stories that they created about characters who were either lying or telling the truth. Together, we had to determine whether the person in the story was being truthful or lying. It was such a beautiful time watching the children work together to create stories and help each other with their puppets and making their stages.

They were so happy to receive a copy of the book so they can read it at home to their parents and their siblings.