Families who regularly visit the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) love the museum’s interactive exhibits, age-appropriate educational programs, and kid-friendly concerts and performances. Less visible but equally impressive is CMOM’s extensive outreach to underserved communities through the city, using its expertise in connecting with families to promote health, literacy, and other essential causes.
In recent years, CMOM has established more than 50 key partnerships to provide interactive learning experiences to children who may not otherwise have access to the necessary resources. One such partnership is with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA): CMOM conducts weekly health and literacy programs for families at the new Community and Children’s Center at the Johnson Houses in East Harlem. This summer, CMOM will actually replicate components of its acclaimed PlayWorks and EatSleepPlay exhibitions in the Center, bringing rich museum content directly to the community.
Spearheading most of the strategic community outreach is a local mother who’s dedicated herself to the institution for the past 17 years. Mom of two Leslie Bushara is the deputy director of education and guest services at CMOM and her responsibilities include outreach to public schools, hospitals, libraries, and other community institutions, while also overseeing all of the museum’s in-house programs and educational offerings.
“What’s so great about my job is…that every day there are amazing surprises, challenges, and opportunities to work with so many different families—and moments where you feel that you’ve actually helped someone discover or learn something new,” Bushara says.
Local non-profits like teaming up with CMOM for just that reason: their ability to connect with children and families. The museum, for example, works with the United Way of New York City and the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), acting as a lead partner of the Healthy Eating for a Healthy Start pilot program. CMOM’s role is to help Head Start centers support staff, teachers, caretakers, and families in developing knowledge and behaviors that will result in the adoption of healthier habits and more active lifestyles.
Part of what makes such programs so successful is Bushara’s efforts to keep the individual in mind. “I’ve seen how differently children and adults take in knowledge…and I’ve tried to be respectful of those different learning styles,” she says.
Bushara first started working at the museum shortly before giving birth to her first son, Oliver, who is now 16 years old. Over the years, he’s come to know CMOM as a second home. “When Oliver was in middle school, he was on the kid advisory board [for a CMOM exhibit],” Bushara remembers. “And he really enjoyed and was proud of that.”
Her other son, Teddy, is 10 years old and was also raised with the museum as his private playground. “Teddy has [helped] work through many different exhibit components to make sure they’re safe,” Bushara says.
When not working at one of the Upper West Side’s family-friendly institutions, Bushara enjoys spending time in Central Park with her family. “My boys love to bike ride, climb rocks, listen to outdoor concerts, and people watch at the Lincoln Center fountain,” she says.
“The most important thing is that when you’re with [your family] to be as present as possible,” she continues. “I think those moments are really important.”
Visit cmom.org. To read about more local Moms We Love featured this year, click here.
