A Day Filled with Heart

Love shows up in different ways across NJCDC — in classrooms, in art studios, and around shared tables. This Valentine’s Day, it arrived in hugs at breakfast, in glitter and glue at craft tables, and in bright brushstrokes on canvas. Across three programs — our Paterson Family Center, Great Falls Youth Center, and Youth Arts Program — families and young people gathered to celebrate connection, creativity, and community.

A Beloved Tradition at NJCDC’s Paterson Family Center

Love was in the air at NJCDC’s Paterson Family Center (PFC) as families gathered for our annual “I Love You” Breakfast — a tradition that has warmed hearts for nearly 15 years. The room buzzed with smiles, hugs, and the unmistakable joy of parents carving out intentional time with their children.

PFC parents came together for a beautiful morning dedicated to celebrating family, connection, and the incredible role caregivers play every day. It was a reminder that Valentine’s Day isn’t just about cards and candy — it’s about the steady, everyday love that helps young children grow and thrive.

PFC Director Maria Camacho shared why the tradition continues to matter. “We’re here for the whole family,” she said. “When parents and caregivers feel supported and connected, children thrive. This breakfast is a simple reminder that our families are part of a community that truly cares.”

Since opening its doors in 2003, PFC has served 105 three- and four-year-olds each year through a free, full-day preschool program that nurtures the mind and heart in equal measure. For more than two decades, it has been a second home for Paterson’s youngest learners and the families who trust us with their care. Beyond the classroom, PFC’s after-school programming supports working families, and its comprehensive family support services connect parents to essential resources.

On this Valentine’s Day morning, that philosophy was on full display — in every shared meal, every handmade card, and every proud parent’s smile.

Valen-Fam Day™ at NJCDC’s Great Falls Youth Center

At NJCDC’s Great Falls Youth Center, Valentine’s Day took on a beautifully inclusive twist with Valen-Fam Day™ — a celebration designed to honor love beyond romance by uplifting family bonds, sibling connection, and community togetherness.

Families and neighbors filled the space with laughter and creativity, moving through five interactive stations that invited reflection, service, gratitude, and artistic expression. Children and caregivers captured memories at the photo booth, created heartfelt crafts, and gathered for a buffet-style meal that encouraged connection at every table.

Valen-Fam Day™ intentionally welcomes all ages — from preschoolers to high school students, along with parents, caregivers, and extended family members. The experience is structured so participants can engage at their own pace in a safe, pressure-free environment that celebrates belonging.

Paterson resident Juana Salazar, who has attended the event multiple times, reflected on what keeps her coming back: “It’s such a great opportunity to be part of this event because it helps children connect with others in the community. The arts and crafts give them a creative outlet, and we always enjoy every chance we have to come to the youth center.” 

The celebration was made possible with the support of the Paterson-based Unity Foundation and partners including Caleb Bentley, Parents for a Better County (P4ABC), and the Paterson Police Department Community Affairs Division, along with generous community supporters — including Wolfe & Burke Photography, Chicken Supreme (Paterson), Trader Joe's (Wayne), Celebrity Roads, and Wanda Holliday —who helped provide food and resources for families.

Together, they helped create more than an event — they helped create lasting memories.

A Heartfelt Celebration in NJCDC’s Youth Arts Program

Meanwhile, creativity and friendship took center stage during a special Valentine’s Day celebration within NJCDC’s Winter Saturday Youth Arts Program at the Great Falls Youth Center.

Our talented young artists in grades K–5 marked the occasion with a vibrant painting project full of color and heart. Brushes moved confidently across canvas as students experimented with shades of red, pink, and gold, each piece reflecting their own interpretation of love and connection. The morning concluded with a delicious shared breakfast.

Led by Program Associate Mahbuba Uddin, the Youth Arts Program offers hands-on classes in dance, music, and visual art taught by local artists who bring their talent and passion directly to Paterson’s young people. A lifelong Patersonian, Mahbuba began her NJCDC journey as an AmeriCorps member and graduate of Passaic County Technical Institute. She has since become a driving force behind our arts programming.

“Art gives our students a voice,” Mahbuba shared. “When they create something with their own hands and see what they’re capable of, it builds confidence that carries far beyond the classroom.”

Whether learning choreography, exploring rhythm and melody, or crafting original works of art, NJCDC’s Youth Arts Program provides more than a creative outlet — it offers a space where Paterson youth feel supported, inspired, and proud of what they can achieve.

Love in Action

Across NJCDC programs, Valentine’s Day was not defined by roses or romance. It was defined by parents who showed up, by children who created boldly, and by neighbors who gathered around shared tables.

From our youngest learners at the Paterson Family Center, to families celebrating at Valen-Fam Day™, to young artists filling canvases with color at the Youth Arts Program, one truth rang clear: love is strongest when it’s rooted in community.

At NJCDC, that love shows up every day — in classrooms, in youth centers, and in the steady commitment to ensuring Paterson families have the support they need to thrive. And on Valentine’s Day, we simply took a moment to celebrate what we see all year long.