SAYA Youth Visit Bryant Park Holiday Market

SAYA youth from our program at Newcomers High School recently took a trip to Bryant Park, where they visited the holiday market and took in the sights. One program participant wrote about her experience:

“Exploring new things, visiting new places, and letting myself get lost in the crowd is one of my favorite things to do. And doing my favorite things is the most wonderful feeling in the world. There is nothing quite like visiting a new place.  

Most people get caught up in their lives and their daily routine of going to school or working, studying, sleeping, eating, and living. They become self-absorbed to the point that it affects their health, their happiness, and their perspective. I believe one way to fix this is to explore our great big world, and remember there are billions of people who each day are living their lives and having their own unique experiences.

During my time at SAYA, I’ve visited many places, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, Hudson River Park, the Botanical Garden, Roosevelt Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, Hunter's Point South Park, Columbia University, and most recently Bryant Park, on October 31st - Halloween.

Bryant Park was beautiful and amazing, and I lost myself in it. The park is located in the borough of Manhattan, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in Midtown. That day I also learned that the main branch of the New York Public Library is located across from the park. I enjoyed watching people ice skating there. Because the holiday season is almost here, there were many little shops in the park selling different things such as jewelry, Christmas dolls, baby clothes, toys, crafts and designs, handmade soaps, candles, and lots of others amazing things. I really enjoyed the candles that were decorated with seashells, and butterflies, and flowers. They glowed when I held them under the lights. It was really amazing!”

- Jeba