IL RAPPORTO
News & Updates
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FIAO Staff Begins Live Virtual Classes!
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Thanks to the tireless efforts of Executive Director, Nancy Sottile, Board Chair, Jack Spatola, and Board Member, Pat Russo, FIAO submitted, qualified, and received a PPP loan.
What does this mean for you, our Il Centro Membership? LIVE online classes with your favorite FIAO Instructors!
Big thanks to Supervisor, Francis Codisposti, for his effort in training and coordinating our staff. Without him, this would not have been possible.
Although we still are not able to reopen our facility, we are honored to be able return our staff to working remotely in order to serve all of you!
View our full schedule of classes here.
In the coming weeks, we hope to explore more learning opportunities with virtual classes bringing our mission to explore culture right into your homes.
Are you interested in hosting a cultural class? Contact our Communication Director, Elizabeth Cotter at e.cotter@fiaobrooklyn.org.
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How to Take a Virtual Class
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Members please review the schedule to see which classes you wish to join.
Next, you must contact the instructor via the point of contact provided.
Then, you will receive a link for the Zoom class.
This is the link you will need for the day and time of the scheduled class.
To view the complete schedule click the image.
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FIAO Staff Spotlight
Sara Gambino- FIAO's Social Worker
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Get to Know Sara Gambino, the Federation of Italian American Organizations’ in-house social worker who is celebrating 25 years of service!
Sara Gambino first came to the United States in 1984 from Torreta, Sicily. She started a family and dreamed of becoming an American citizen.
When asked how she first learned about the Federation, she vividly remembers going to the original office looking to get assistance in becoming a citizen, all the while being timid and coming from another country and not knowing the language very well. She remembers how welcoming and helpful the Federation was toward her and her family and will never forget how grateful she was. Learning more about the Federation and after getting to know Nancy Sottile, Sara was inspired by her own journey into becoming a citizen, aspiring her to help others on their same journey.
In 1995, Sara officially started working at the Federation taking clients and helping them with all their needs from citizenship, assistance with government documents, passport renewal guidance, translation of documents, health insurance, and government assistance applications. Everyday that she takes clients, her goal is to make sure her clients leave happy, that all their questions are answered to the best of her ability, and be as helpful and sensitive to everyone’s situation as possible all the while remembering her initial experience and feelings she had when she was on the other side of the desk. Every client she helps is unique with their own story and experience. At times assisting can be a challenge with language barriers or long wait times with governmental agencies, but once she successfully aids them in their goals, she sees how happy and grateful her clients become which gives her an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment.
On November 13th, 2017 the Federation of Italian American Organizations moved to their new location at Il Centro. When asked how it feels to work in this new location, Sara excitedly states, “It’s such a beautiful office space and feels more organized. The environment is more alive with many children, families, and seniors coming around and I am now able to help even more diverse people of the community.” She hopes that this will only be the beginning of the expanded growth of the Federation with more clients and a larger outreach throughout the community.
Il Centro may not be open yet for getting a good workout, but we are open to help our community neighbors with any social services needs you may have, so come visit Sara Gambino in the Il Centro office!
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FIAO IL CENTRO
Online Classes!
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New Videos:
Zaira Indelicato–Polizzi, Italian Instruction
Visit the FIAO Video Archive:
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Taking Care of Your Mental Health
by Dr. Estelle Miller, LCSW
Weekly Topic: Expressive Writing
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Need a Mental Challenge to Pass the Time?
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Check out these archived NY Times Crossword Puzzles and some other free mind teasers!
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FIAO Delivers to Our Seniors
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FIAO Delivers to our
Seniors Friday Participants
On Friday, May 15th, Executive Director of FIAO, Nancy Sottile oversaw FIAO's senior outreach effort.
Delivering a variety of groceries to 12 seniors from the Fun, Fit Friday program. Recipients will be able to enjoy some staples including, p
ears, oranges, mashed potatoes, tuna fish, bread apples, chips, pasta and water bottles.
FIAO is honored to be able to continue to serve our Brooklyn seniors during this difficult time and send all our Senior Fridays well wishes.
Special thanks to everyone that helped shop, organize and deliver these bundles. We look forward to continuing our outreach.
To those that have offered their thanks and appreciation, it is our pleasure. We look forward to welcoming you back to the center as soon as it is safe for everyone!
If you need assistance, please do not hestitate to contact us at memberservices@fiaobrooklyn.org. We will do our best to met your need or direct you to the the proper resources.
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Rainy Days, Family Night,
Explore this Timeout NY List of the
Best Animated Movies
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Need to keep the kids busy or just need a few minutes of calm while you catch up in work? Need a few ideas for tonight's family movie? Here's a great list compiled by Time Out NY.
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Still Time to Order Wines of Itay
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There is a 6 bottle package and a 12 bottle package available to purchase before and after the class.
All purchases made at the above link support
FIAO during the shutdown.
Thank you for your support!
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FIAO continues to share information as we receive updates about our local and federal government reopening businesses.
From the Office of Senator Gounardes...
If you are in need of a meal:
The Senator has partnered with the International Rescue Committee, World Central Kitchen, and the Al-Noor Social Center to provide free meals for those in need in Bay Ridge. Meal distribution happens on Mondays & Thursdays, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., and it is OPEN TO ALL WHO NEED IT. Recipients MUST abide by social distancing guidelines and stand six feet apart.
How to Volunteer for your Neighbors in Need:
- If you're healthy, volunteer to help provide services to those under quarantine by signing up with Bay Ridge Cares
- Make a donation. Local food pantries are about to come under a great deal of strain, consider making a financial contribution to help them keep doing their work. My office can help you find one
- Donate blood. Visit the New York Blood Center’s website for more information on locations, hours, and to schedule an appointment. To ensure safe social distancing, you can also make an appointment at Maimonides Medical Center by calling 718-238-7694
District Office:
8018 5th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11209
718-238-6044
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Live Performances:
Starting May 30th
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Singer RosaLisa Licci, Magician Anthony Sausa and Comedians RoRo Antonuccio & me will be performing at the end of the month right here on Facebook and several times after that. And once we can be together we're hitting the road. So please like our page, share it with your friends and its OK if you're not Italian-American. You will be after the show!
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First Performance will be hosted on IL Talento's Facebook Page May 30th
More to Follow!
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FIAO Brooklyn |
www.fiaobrooklyn.org
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