KHCC Harvest Fest Brings Fun and Community

Nonprofit Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, KHCC, marked its 13th annual Harvest Fest on Oct. 23 with an afternoon of pumpkin painting, cookie decorating and a haunted house designed by teens from the center’s youth program. 

On a brisk fall day, booths lined KHCC’s courtyard and gymnasium, and kids in a variety of costumes — from Spiderman to a fairy to an inflatable dinosaur — bounced from station to station, snacking on candy and holding freshly-painted face masks. KHCC estimated about 220 people attended.

Caution tape, balloons and cobwebs decorated the space, where families beamed with smiles. 

Scattered in between activities for the kids were resources for parents, such as a voter guide for the upcoming general election, which detailed information on candidates in English and Spanish. Other resources included details on the Changing Futures program, which provides therapy for sexual abuse and domestic violence victims, as well as KHCCConnect, the organization’s case management system. 

“We use it as a time to celebrate the abundance of fall,” Kadijah Caban, chief operating officer, said. “As well as provide information about our services to the community in a fun environment.” 

Amanda Mendez, a mother of three, heard about the event while she was at the center’s food pantry distribution earlier that day. As a survivor of domestic abuse, she said learning about KHCC’s resources was valuable to her journey forward. 

“You feel more part of the community,” Mendez said about the Harvest Fest. “You feel supported by the community. It’s very helpful and it’s fun for the kids. It’s just nice to be able to get outside and meet new people, have the kids make new friends, have activities instead of being cooped up inside.” 

For others, like Marina Silva, the afternoon was about fostering a sense of community. Silva recently moved to the city from Puerto Rico and has attended KHCC events to help her and her two kids meet new people. 

She said adjusting to New York has been difficult.

“I’m a really happy person, but when you see people here — people are not happy,” Silva said. “They’re always mad or fighting … But then when I came [to KHCC], it was different. It’s like a whole new world.” 

Silva, who was dressed as Dr. Seuss’ the Grinch, and her sons John Paul and John Michael — dressed as a dinosaur and as Harry Potter riding a dragon — said the haunted house was a highlight. 

A tent outside led into the building, where participants were immediately engulfed in darkness, with the exception of flashing colored lights. A KHCC staff member led the group with a glow-in-the-dark bracelet, while teens hid behind walls and underneath furniture, dressed in masks and fake blood. They jumped out from their hiding spots, shrieking and bellowing at those walking through. One teen underneath a bench even grabbed at people’s ankles. 

“The reaction has been crying,” said 14-year-old Liz Hernandez, who helped set up the house. “Some people are laughing. Some kids don’t even want to look at it because it’s that intense.” 

Thirteen-year-old Danjeoy Mercedes said putting the haunted house together brought the teens closer and better engaged them with their neighbors. 

“It really brings our community together because we get to scare people together and work together to create the entire atmosphere,” Mercedes said. “And everybody is also invited to this event.”

Chantal Henriquez, who works in the center’s Restorative Justice Fellowship program, said the teens completed the house in just two days. 

“Having this haunted house and doing a bunch of these activities, it gives parents financial freedom, “ Henriquez said. “They don’t have to go somewhere expensive … it’s meaningful and from the heart.”