On Sunday September 3, St. Bart's parishioners assembled nearly 100 "Welcome Backpackpacks" for refugees and asylum seekers. These backpacks were blessed on St. Bart's Day, September 10, and distributed to students at PS 145, The Bloomingdale School, on September 14. Parishioner Isaiah Chabala was able to represent St. Bart's at the distribution event.
PS 145 is a Title 1 grammar school, serving a large percentage of students and families in low- income households, with more than 100 living in temporary housing. PS 145 is unique, teaching across all grades in mono-English and dual-language Spanish and Russian; the only Russian program outside of Brighton Beach. Since Fall 2022, PS 145 has grown tremendously, and now serves approximately 525 students, including 125-150 new students and families seeking asylum in the US from South America and The Ukraine.
The school expresses its deep gratitude to St. Bart's and hopes to partner with the parish on future initiatives to support the community.
PS 145
