Charlia Frank

05/30/2026

✨ Culinary Culture & Class with Mama La ✨🌍

Cooking Harmony: Blending Flavors, Mending Differences

Today, we brought a taste of Jamaica right into our kitchen! 🇯🇲 The students prepared a delicious meal featuring curry chicken, fresh vegetables, rice, cabbage, and a delightful pound cake topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit. And to refresh our spirits, we enjoyed some lemon cucumber water. 🍽️🍰🥒

These amazing young chefs never cease to impress us week after week! 🤩 But it’s not just about cooking; we also focused on conflict resolution by pairing up to build trust and respect for one another. Together, we’re not just blending flavors but also creating connections! 💖🧑🏾‍🍳🧑🏽‍🍳🧑🏼‍🍳

A special thank you to the City of Poughkeepsie School District, the Community Schools Initiative, DCWIB, Dutchess County, the City of Poughkeepsie Community Development Block Grant Program, and the Community Foundations of Dutchess County for your support and commitment to our youth and community!
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05/29/2026

05/26/2026

🌟✨ Get ready to dive into the heart of NYC with Amiris! Check out our teaser reel for and help us bring this enchanting story to life with our animation program! We need your support to raise $60,000! 💖 https://www.charliafrankinc.org

05/16/2026

🌟 Honoring Our Heroes: National Police Week 🌟

This National Police Week, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the brave men and women in blue who selflessly serve and protect our communities. Your dedication, courage, and commitment to keeping us safe do not go unnoticed.

Thank you for your unwavering service, compassion, and resilience. You are true role models, and we appreciate all that you do to ensure our safety and well-being every day.

Let us come together to celebrate and support our local law enforcement! 💙

05/16/2026

🌟Saturday Morning Lights: Culinary Culture & Class with Mama La 🌟

This week, we continued our journey with “Cooking Harmony: Blending Flavors, Mending Differences,” focusing on essential conflict resolution skills!

Menu:
🍗 Chicken and Waffles Delight: Crispy chicken paired with fluffy waffles and syrup for a sweet and savory treat.

🧁 Homemade Cupcake Creations: Delicious cupcakes in various flavors, bringing joy to every bite.

During our session, we explored:

🍽️ Open Communication: Expressing feelings calmly and encouraging active listening.

🔍 Identifying the Root Cause: Uncovering underlying issues for lasting solutions.

🤝 Collaborative Problem Solving: Finding solutions through brainstorming and adaptability.

💖 Emotional Intelligence: Recognizing emotions to de-escalate tensions.

We also engaged the children with questions like, “What do you do when you have a fight with a friend?” One young lady shared she takes 10 deep breaths and speaks calmly, while another boy said he tells an adult first. When asked how they calm down when angry, one girl listens to music, and another talks it out with her mom.

Cooking together provided the perfect backdrop for these valuable discussions!

“In every disagreement, there is an opportunity for growth.”

Thank you to our youth workforce students for inspiring younger generations! 🙌 Special shout-out to the Poughkeepsie Community Schools Initiative, with support from the City of Poughkeepsie School District, Dutchess County, and DCWIB.

05/13/2026

🌸✨ You’re Invited to the Springtime Festival of Wonders! ✨🌸

Join us for a delightful celebration of spring on June 14 at Muldowney Circle, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM!

Come and enjoy a day filled with fun activities, delicious food, live entertainment, and wonderful company. Bring your family and friends to experience the magic of spring together!

Don’t miss out on this fantastic event, we can’t wait to see you there! 🌷🎉

Mark your calendars! 🗓️

05/12/2026

🌟 We had the pleasure of attending the Brain and Body Coalition’s Family Fun Day on Saturday, May 9, with K*t from a Different Kente’s Booth Therapy program! 🎉 It was truly amazing to see the creativity that the youth displayed.

Booth Therapy is like a verbal diary; you get on the mic and release anything, whether it’s singing, poetry, talking, or just making noise. It’s a powerful way to digress and let go of anything that’s on your mind.

A huge thank you to The Brain & Body Coalition for making this event happen! 💚 Remember, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Take care of yourself and check in on others.

✨ “Mental health is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going.” ✨

05/11/2026

🌷 Happy Mother’s Day to All the Incredible Moms! 🌷

Today, we celebrate you, the heart and soul of our families! Your love, strength, and unwavering support shape our lives in countless ways. Whether you’re a new mom, a seasoned pro, or a mother figure, your impact is profound and cherished.

💖 Take a moment today to reflect on the beautiful memories you’ve created, the lessons you’ve taught, and the love that flows through every hug, every laugh, and every shared moment.

Let’s honor the sacrifices you make and the joy you bring into our lives. You are appreciated more than words can express!

🌼 Share your favorite Mother’s Day memory or a message of gratitude for the special woman in your life in the comments below.

Wishing you a day filled with love, relaxation, and all the joy you bring to others!

05/11/2026

🌟 Saturday Morning Lights: Culinary Culture & Class with Mama La 🌟

Today, we continued our journey with “Cooking Harmony: Blending Flavors, Mending Differences,” an enlightening introduction to conflict resolution!

Menu:
🦃 Turkey Slider Symphony: Savory turkey sliders with cheese and pickles, harmonizing flavors for a delightful bite.
🥗 Kale Chopped Harmony: A sweet kale chopped salad that brings together vibrant ingredients for a refreshing crunch.
🍓 Strawberry Lemonade Serenade: A refreshing strawberry lemonade that perfectly balances sweetness and tartness.

Equipping our youth with the tools to thrive and resolve conflicts is essential. During our session, we explored:

🍽️ Open Communication: The importance of expressing feelings calmly and encouraging active listening to foster respectful dialogue.

🔍 Identifying the Root Cause: Understanding the importance of uncovering the underlying issues rather than just addressing surface-level symptoms for lasting solutions.

🤝 Collaborative Problem Solving: Working together to find solutions through brainstorming, compromises, and adaptability.

💖 Emotional Intelligence: Recognizing our own emotions and the feelings of others to help de-escalate tensions and promote understanding.

Cooking together provided the perfect backdrop to discuss these important topics!

“In every disagreement, there is an opportunity for growth.”

A huge thank you to our amazing youth workforce students for inspiring younger generations. Each one teach one! 🙌 Special shout-out to the Poughkeepsie Community Schools Initiative, with support from the City of Poughkeepsie School District, Dutchess County, and DCWIB.

05/07/2026

✨Exciting News Alert! ✨

Help us spread the word! We are thrilled to announce that Charlia Frank, Inc. has been selected as a nonprofit partner in the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program for June 2026! 🛍️💚

For every $2.50 reusable Community Bag sold throughout June at our designated Stop & Shop location, we will receive $1. Your support makes a difference!

📍 Location: 2540 South Road, Poughkeepsie, NY

Let’s make this a successful month together! Share this post and encourage your friends and family to shop with us! Thank you for your support! 💖

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