New Program for Single Parent Homes in Crown Heights

My Extended Family, a program for kids from single-parent homes, is now expanding its services in Crown Heights.

Our goal is to support and help enhance the lives of children growing up in single-parent homes. We offer a supervised weekly club where children get individual attention while they do homework, eat dinner, and do a fun activity together with their big sister/brother. We also offer special events for holidays, chol hamoed trips, as well as provide professional support for kids and parents, parenting classes, and financial support. If you are a single parent family, please join us at our opening event for a light buffet-style supper and an evening of fun at no charge! This Wednesday, November 27, כט חשון, at the JCM at 5:30! Looking forward to greeting you!!!

For more info about our program, please visit our website: MYEF.org

Our Beginnings:

When Shterny Steinmetz found herself alone with three kids under the age of four she felt like her life had shattered into pieces. She was plagued with questions she didn’t know how to answer. How would her children get to shul and who would help them if they did? How will they experience the beauty of Shabbos without a father making kiddush or giving a Dvar Torah? How could she afford tuition for school? Who would help ensure her children would grow up healthy, emotionally stable people with a tool box of skills to face the added challenges of their circumstances?With no family in town, she turned to Rabbi and Rebbetzin Vigler, shluchim to Midwood, Brooklyn, who were a “light in the darkness,” as she describes.

At the time, she was an active member of their community. During that time, she developed a closer relationship and a deeper appreciation for this amazing couple who welcomed her kindly into their hearts not just with chesed, but tachlis. They guided Shterny as she valiantly tackled the challeges ahead of her. She found Rabbi Vigler’s advice along the way to be invaluable and trusting it paid off in ways she’d never dreamed. For example, when a job opportunity presented itself she naturally felt It was in her best interest to take it. Rabbi Vigler envisioned a different future for her and advised her not to settle for less. She followed his advice and bravely turned the job down. Today, Shterny is a successful entrepreneur!

Shterny’s deep felt gratitude for the blessings HaShem showered on her through her connection with the Vigler’s, led her to the idea of creating a support system for other single parents. She wanted everyone to have the support she was so lucky to receive!

She posed the idea to the Vigler’s. The first event was supposed to be a modest gathering at the Vigler residence. Unfortunately, The Vigler’s didn’t end up hosting it at their home because they just couldn’t fit the 400 kids that showed up!!! The rest is history!

At the core of the MYEF program is a supervised weekly club where Big sisters/brothers and children from single-parent homes meet to do homework, eat dinner, and do a fun activity together, forging connections and fostering a sense of belonging. The bonds formed through the program give chizuk to both the children and the volunteers well beyond the confines of the weekly meetings.

With a successful program in Flatbush for the past 6 years, and two newer branches in Monsey and Five Towns, My Extended Family is expanding its fledging Crown Heights program, which started last year, to a fully staffed program.

My Extended Family would like to thank our sponsors: Mendys restaurant, Levi Feigenson, Buncho Bagels, and Sauce and Cheese. We would also like to thank an anonymous donor, and Beis Gimpel Chaim for their support!

To sponsor a weekly event/dinner, donate, or volunteer, please go to MYEF.org or call Mrs. Sinaya Kanofsky at (347) 461-5510.