With family court matters such as divorce proceedings and custody cases often very contentious, youngsters can be traumatized if they are in the courtroom. But many parents and guardians don’t have the luxury of leaving their children home.
That’s what makes the Children’s Center at Nassau County Family Court, a program of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, so important. At the Children’s Center, kids from 6 weeks to 12 years old are provided with free care in a nurturing and safe environment while adults are busy in court.
The Children’s Center, located at 1200 Old Country Rd #2, Westbury on the first floor of the Family Court building, is not a babysitting service but rather an early learning center. Every aspect of the Children’s Center promotes learning by which the children can explore new things in a safe, structured and professionally supervised setting.
The Children’s Center provides kids with a safe haven that gives them the opportunity to develop early learning skills through age-appropriate play and activities that are fun and exciting for toddlers and children up to age 12.
Earlier this summer, we were excited to announce that the Children’s Center at Nassau County Family Court had reopened after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. During that time, almost all court business was conducted virtually, but with more and more children and families returning to in-person court visits, our Children’s Center is a much-needed community resource.
How can you help? We are seeking volunteers at the Children’s Center. To volunteer, we request that you are:
- 16 years of age or older
- Fully vaccinated against COVID-19
- Able to work a minimum of four hours per week
- Comfortable wearing a mask
- Willing to complete a NY State background check, including fingerprinting
- Able to lift children when necessary and have good mobility
- Friendly and nurturing
Volunteering at the Children’s Center is a great way for high schoolers (16 and up) or college students who have an interest in children and education to gain experience. And it’s also a wonderful opportunity for anyone who loves kids to give back and make a difference for the youngsters and families in our community.
Another way to help support the Children’s Center is to attend the fundraiser we are having on October 27th at Tesoro’s Ristorante in Westbury. For ticket information, call 516-626-1971, ext. 309.
Bio: To learn more about volunteering at the Children’s Center, contact Dr. Nellie Taylor-Walthrust, Director at North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center’s Leeds Place and head of the Children’s Center, at 516-997-2926, ext. 229, or email ntaylorwalthrust@northshorechildguidance.org.
