Healthy Families New York Brings Bronx Families Together at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan
October 6, 2026
Families from Catholic Guardian Services’ Healthy Families program recently enjoyed a special outing to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, bringing parents, young children and program staff together for a day of learning, play and connection.
The visit offered families an opportunity to explore the Museum’s hands-on exhibits and activities while spending time together outside of their regular routines. For Healthy Families Parkchester, experiences like these complement the program’s broader work of helping parents build strong relationships with their children, connect with one another and create a healthy foundation for their families.
Program Supervisor Sheila Nieto joined families for the outing and helped make the day a memorable one for children and parents alike.
Supporting Expecting and New Parents in the Bronx
Healthy Families New York is a free and voluntary prevention program operated by Catholic Guardian Services for expecting and new parents.
Through home-based services, trained Family Support Specialists work alongside parents in a caring, respectful and strengths-based way. The goal is simple but important: help families and their babies get off to a healthy start.
Families can receive long-term supportive services as their children grow, including through the years leading up to Head Start or school. Home visits are tailored to the strengths and needs of each family and focus on helping parents gain knowledge, confidence, resources and meaningful connections within their communities.
Helping Families Build Strong Foundations
Healthy Families New York supports parents in understanding child development and strengthening their parenting skills while also helping families navigate practical needs.
Family Support Specialists can help connect families to community resources and social services, medical providers and other supports. They also provide education around parenting and child development and help identify potential developmental delays so families can connect with appropriate services when needed.
An important part of the program is also helping parents develop stronger networks of support through relationships with family members, friends, community organizations and other resources.
The recent Children’s Museum of Manhattan outing reflected that broader focus on healthy development and family connection. Through interactive learning and play, children had opportunities to explore and discover alongside the adults who support them — while families had another opportunity to build relationships with one another and with the Healthy Families Parkchester team.
Learn More About Healthy Families New York
Healthy Families New York is available to eligible expecting and new parents residing in ZIP codes 10460, 10461, 10462, 10472 and 10473 in the Bronx.
To learn more about the program or inquire about participating, call 718-828-0300, ext. 324 or ext. 220, or visit Catholic Guardian Services’ Preventative Programs page.
About Catholic Guardian Services
Catholic Guardian Services (CGS) is a nonprofit social service agency serving children and families across the five boroughs of New York City. With roots dating to 1887 and legal incorporation in 1913, CGS provides foster care and adoption services, children's mental health care through its Family Counseling and Wellness Center and school-based clinics, family support programs including Harmony Hub in the Bronx, an Unaccompanied Children's Program, and residential and community services for people with developmental disabilities. CGS provides these services under the oversight of New York City, New York State and federal agencies, including the New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS), the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). CGS serves all who need help regardless of faith, race or background. CGS is sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York and headquartered at 488 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10022. Phone: (212) 371-1000. Donate or learn more at catholicguardian.org.