Volunteer this Week, Plan for Vacation and Raise Resilient Kids

1. It's National Volunteer Week

So pat yourself on the back if you are engaged as a community volunteer already, either with your child's school, the community center, your church or another organization. We'll highlight one organization you may not have considered volunteering at here for the remainder of the week. Today: Friends of Karen. It was started by a friend of a family whose terminally-ill daughter Karen, wanted to come home rather than spend her last days in a hospital. Efforts to help one young woman have grown into a network that helps thousands care for children diagnosed with life-threatening diseases at home. Call 914-277-4547 to explore an array of volunteer opportunties.

2. School's out, what are your plans next week?

You can sign your child up for historically-themed workshops taking place Monday  - Thursday. on the programs offered at the John Jay Homestead. What other ideas do you have? Tell us in the comments.

3. Was this old house an historic one as well?

The planning board meets tonight at 8 p.m. On tap for discussion is the demolition of the building behind the structures at 73-77 Bedford Road—which are being renovated by the Helmes Group—and whether the architects or owners face fines for the tear-down, which wasn't in the original plans or building permits. Check back with Patch for an update to that story.

4. Passover for people with special needs tonight

Temple Sharaay Tefila hosts a seder tonight at 6 p.m. for those with developmental disabilities, in order to provide opportunities for everyone to experience Jewish life.  for details.

5. How to raise resilient kids

continues its Foundations of Education Lecture Series by welcoming Andrew Shatte, Ph.D., psychologist, and co-author of The Resilience Factor, on Wednesday at 10 a.m. He'll discuss strategies for building the essential foundation elements for the development of resilience in children. It's at the Cisqua campus on West Patent Road. For more information on Foundations of Education or to rsvp, call 914-244-1292 or email susie_danziger@rcsny.org. 

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