Two Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies Mark Transition for BCS

The Laurie A. Cumbo Children’s Center (formerly Duffield Children’s Center) and The Greater Heights Clubhouse (formerly East New York Clubhouse) recently relocated to new, state-of-the art facilities with brand new names. Both BCS programs forged their own legacies throughout their years of service in Brooklyn: the clubhouse in critical, adult mental health services, and the children’s center in free, engaging pre-Kindergarten childcare. We celebrate these ribbon cutting ceremonies as a new chapter for clients who have benefitted from these programs for years.

The Laurie A. Cumbo Children’s Enrichment Center

In December of 2021, we opened the doors to The Laurie A. Cumbo Children’s Enrichment center.

Formerly known as Duffield Children’s Center, the new name comes in recognition of Commissioner Laurie A. Cumbo’s outstanding contributions towards the new location of the Center as well as her contributions to Brooklyn, and groundbreaking leadership within the City Council. Without her, this new Center would not have been possible.

Since its founding over forty years ago, the Center has been a resource for thousands of families in Fort Greene, Downtown Brooklyn, Farragut and surrounding neighborhoods, providing accessible, affordable, and educationally-rich childcare to the community with its High Scope DOE Creative Curriculum. At its new location, the Laurie A. Cumbo Children’s Enrichment Center continues to provide pre-K literacy, reading, writing and creative arts to children aged three and four through its free Early Learning program.

“The quest for safe and local childcare that enhances a child’s upbringing is essential to any parent’s well being,” Commissioner Laurie A. Cumbo said. “This new location, around the corner from the old one, does not at all disrupt the quality of care that the existing families have come to expect from BCS for years.”

The BCS Greater Heights Clubhouse

The Greater Heights Clubhouse, formerly named East New York Clubhouse, transitioned to its new space with a new name in May of 2022. The clubhouse supports people living with severe mental illness in accomplishing their life goals. The new name celebrates the clubhouse’s slogan and model: “Reaching Greater Heights Every Day!” The building restores dignity for our members, who we believe deserve the highest quality space to foster community together and work hard to achieve their dreams.

The ribbon cutting ceremony included remarks from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Council Member Sandy Nurse, Director of Rehabilitation Programs at NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Yumiko Ikuta, Chair of the Clubhouse Advisory Board, Margie Staker, and Executive Director of BCS Janelle Farris.

We were thrilled to celebrate this new chapter for the clubhouse alongside members and our surrounding community!