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The ̽����ѡ in NY's large classroom transformed into a love-filled dancefloor for for the big night.

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On February 10, the casework team at the ̽����ѡ in NY hosted a Valentine’s Day dance for its clients, marking the second event in its quarterly holiday celebration series. After a successful Thanksgiving dinner held last November, the team was excited to continue providing a space for their clients to experience American culture and come together to celebrate.  

The dance was coordinated by the Gobblers society (named after their first event), an event planning committee that was comprised of volunteers from the casework team and co-led by Casework Supervisor Geneva Saupe and Intake and Outreach Specialist Daniel Mesta. The team brainstormed several ideas, including a craft fair, a dance, and a mini-brunch event, but ultimately decided on a Valentine’s Day dance as it offered a low-stress, social environment for clients. Daniel explained, “It benefits the client to understand why that day is different from other days, how to prepare for that day, and how to celebrate it!” 

Event Recap

The Valentine’s Day dance had an excellent turnout, with 53 out of 64 clients who RSVP'd in attendance. Upon arrival, clients were greeted by a small table with translated Know your Rights cards and zines. Snacks and drinks were available as they rounded the corner and clients were encouraged to take as much food as they wanted.  

With limited resources and no budget for this event, the casework team had to seek out donations for food and drinks. Each caseworker went to a Trader Joes in their neighborhood and filled out a donation request. They ended up with over $100 in donations and were able to provide clients with sweets, beverages, and mini pizza bagels – a fan favorite.  

“Our folks are used to eating in shelters, where food is low-quality, low-quantity, and staff are not always friendly. There was visible joy and relief as people came back for seconds (and thirds). I loved seeing kids coming back for multiple pizza bagels, just carefree and acting like kids!” - Geneva Saupe 

The team created a mocktail menu in Spanish and English with custom Valentine’s Day-themed drinks. Specialty mocktails included the “Cupid’s Potion (Remedio de Cupido)” which was a grenadine and ginger ale concoction and the “Lime of my Life (Amor Amargo),” a refreshing combination of seltzer water and lime juice. Daniel shared, “It may seem small, but being able to have the dignity of making a choice is really meaningful to our clients.” 

Mocktail menu created by the ̽����ѡ in NY's casework team and translated to Spanish.

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A majority of the attendees gravitated towards the dance room after eating, which was adorned with donated and homemade decorations. It took a while for everyone to warm up and feel comfortable, but by the end of the night, the dance floor was alive with energy—parents danced with their children, couples shared special moments, and staff joined in the fun with their clients. 

For those looking to take a break from the dance floor or seeking a quieter atmosphere, the room next door offered a relaxing space with a movie playing and coloring activities for attendees. At one point, a group of children excitedly rushed over to their caseworkers, asking for pens so they could create Valentine’s cards for their parents, expressing their gratitude for everything they do for them.

Clients had the opportunity to take photos in the photo booth, which was a heart-shaped cutout crafted by one of the ̽����ѡ in NY’s caseworkers. A line stretched around the room as everyone eagerly waited for their turn. For many clients, who don’t often have physical photos of themselves or their families, this was a special chance to capture lasting memories and celebrate the moment.  

Towards the end of the night, the ̽����ѡ in NY casework team hosted a Valentine’s-themed bingo competition designed to enhance English language learning. Participants had the chance to win a pair of mittens and a hat, thoughtfully knitted by one of the caseworkers. With two winners, the prize was shared, and each went home with a warm and thoughtful keepsake from the event. 

As the night drew to a close, event attendees thanked their caseworkers for giving them and their children this space to celebrate and unwind. After cleaning up, the team gathered in the kitchen for a debrief, where they reflected on the event and shared their favorite moments of the night. A caseworker shared that one of the kids in attendance who was leading the dance floor told her “I hope you invite me to another one of these,” as he was leaving. Another caseworker chimed in to share that one of the moms thanked her for hosting this event and said “We don’t get many spaces like this.” Other team members agreed that one of their favorite parts was seeing a couple where the wife was pregnant dance together and take a photo with their hands making a heart over her stomach. 

Daniel closed the debrief by stating, “We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future but doing something like this is worth it – it shows that someone cares.” 

Reflections on the Valentine’s Day Dance: A Celebration of Love and Community 

One of the attendees reads what others have shared in response to "What does love mean to you?"

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This year’s Valentine’s Day dance brought clients and caseworkers together for a meaningful celebration of love, joy, and connection. As part of the event, participants were invited to share their thoughts on the question, “What does love mean to you?”

Some of the responses included:

• For me, love is sharing. 
• Supporting others no matter what 
• When I’m able to be myself around my loved ones 
• Amor es transmitir alegria y la mejor energia con los seas especiales (Love is to spread happiness and good energy with special ones) 
• Amor para mi es cuidar al projimo (For me, love is to care for those around you) 
• Amor es mi familia (Love is my family) 
• Para mi el amor lo es todo (For me, love is everything) 
• Reir con mi familia (To laugh with my family) 

The casework team also shared what they love about their jobs. 

Geneva expressed, “I love witnessing our clients chart their paths. We serve so many different people with different goals and challenges. I am so proud of the work our team does to empower clients to make their own decisions and advocate for themselves.” 

For one ̽����ѡ caseworker, it’s not just the work, but the team that stands out: “Not to sound cliché, but my favorite part is my team. I've had the privilege of working with some of the most fascinating people I've ever worked with, and I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to do this work with.” 

The Valentine’s Day dance is just one example of how the ̽����ѡ in NY team creates spaces where clients can celebrate and experience the warmth of community, even in the face of increased hostility. Daniel put it best when he said, “Events like this restore feelings of equality, joy, community connection, and confidence. Because most of our clients live in shelters where they have very little recreation and even less control over their environment, it’s very refreshing for them to go to a space where the opposite is true. Even in hard times, people need to celebrate.” 

In this time of extreme uncertainty, one thing is abundantly clear – the ̽����ѡ in NY casework team loves their clients and loves the work that they do. For the caseworkers on this team, love is not just an abstract idea—it’s something they embody every day in their work. Their commitment is shown through both their professional responsibilities and in the care that they put into building trust, providing support, and ensuring that each person feels valued and heard. 

This dance was a meaningful reminder that, no matter the challenges and hardships our clients face, love, joy, and connection are the strongest forces for healing and resilience. 

Celebrate and Give – How you can Support 

Valentine's day decorations set up by the casework team.

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In the midst of life's challenges, it’s vital that we provide our clients with opportunities to relax, recharge, and feel celebrated. That’s why we’re excited to share our Celebrate and Give campaign—a chance for you to help us create safe, welcoming spaces where our clients can destress, connect with one another, and experience popular US holidays. 

By supporting this campaign, you’re not just contributing to an event, you’re empowering our clients to take a moment for themselves in an environment where they can feel supported, heard, and appreciated. Your generosity directly impacts the lives of those who need it most. 

Sign up to receive updates on our event needs and how you can make an impact. If you’d like your donation to go directly toward supporting a specific event, please reach out to our Development Director Claire King at claire.king@rescue.org, and we’ll ensure your contribution is allocated accordingly.

Written by Development Coordinator Emma Young