In the past few weeks, the world has seen a lot of turmoil. With two hurricanes arriving in short succession, many families became displaced and sought places of safety. At the Museum, we have welcomed families from Florida and North Carolina who traveled north to escape the storms, awaiting updates about their towns, homes, friends, and loved ones.
We are grateful to have been able to welcome these families into the Museum and provide the opportunity for their children to play while their parents process the gravity of their situation.
One family from North Carolina lost everything to the hurricanes. While in the Museum, they found a brief respite from survival mode, allowing them to create cherished memories with their children. They shared, “This Museum gave us a moment to breathe and enjoy being together.”
Another family arrived the day before Rosh Hashanah. They had fled war in their country and gone to North Carolina, where they were quickly forced to evacuate again. They walked into our classroom where their daughter exclaimed, “Look! Apples!”, the parents turned to our educator with teary eyes and told her that they hadn’t had time to celebrate the holiday while they were in the process of evacuating. The apple art project became a moment of solace for this family in their time of hardship.
Through play, the Museum became a sanctuary for these families, offering them a chance to find joy and connection in challenging times. The engaging exhibits and interactive spaces provided a much-needed distraction, allowing children to explore, create, and laugh, even as their parents navigate uncertainty.
Our goal is to make the Museum a fun and accepting space for everyone. We are honored for the stories that these families shared with us, and grateful to have made a brief impact on their lives in these difficult moments.
If you would like to help support the Museum’s goal of providing every family with a safe space to play in the Museum, please consider donating by clicking the button below.