Announcement
IRC staff help clients decorate their own kites!
Photo: IRC
The IRC in NY Casework Team’s Gobblers Society welcomed the new season with a joyful, flower-filled event that brought clients, families, and community members together. Their third client-facing gathering, “Flores y Colores,” was a celebration of spring, renewal, and community connection.
The office was transformed into a lush garden oasis, adorned with dozens of vibrant plants, floral arrangements—and even a cactus. The event invited clients to relax, create, and connect through fun, hands-on activities and a shared dinner experience.
“We went into the springtime knowing that we wanted to do an activity for our clients,” said Program Specialist Daniel Mesta. “We liked the positive connotations of the blooms and blossoms, and the team really loves gardening and plants.”
A Night of Growth and Joy
Planning “Flores y Colores” involved careful coordination with New Roots Farm to provide clippings for a plant-potting activity and everything needed to start a small herb garden. Clients also enjoyed a kite-making station, where one young participant shared that he had never flown a kite before.
In total, 92 clients RSVP’d and 24 attended, along with several English students. Families took photos at themed booths, potted plants while reflecting on personal growth, and made "dirt cups" for dessert with chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos, and gummy worms.
Staff members also got to participate in the fun by bringing in their favorite plants for a friendly “Most Awesome Blossom” contest. Clients had a tough time choosing from the many unique and beautiful entries, but in the end, a stunning orchid from Casework Assistant Taisiya Nasretdinova’s personal garden took home the top prize.
Powered by Community Support
This was the first client-facing event supported entirely by contributed funds, and that support made a huge difference. Thanks to donations, every part of the experience—from potting supplies to kite-making materials—was fully covered. Staff didn’t need to dip into personal funds or go source food donations themselves; every item was provided with confidence.
A special thank you to Fern Bonatica in Astoria, which generously donated flowers, helping to fill the space with color and life. The impact of this support was clear—not just in the beauty of the event, but in the joy it brought to our clients.
Caterpillar cutout for clients to use in the photobooth!
Photo: IRC
Help us Continue the Celebration
Our Celebrate and Give campaign continues to make events like “Flores y Colores” possible. When you give, you’re not just helping fund a gathering—you’re helping create spaces where clients feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Keep an eye out for future communications about our Celebrate and Give campaign to see how you can support.
Written by Development Coordinator Emma Young.