Jacqueline Weld Drake Hosts Annual Holiday Party For Casita Maria Center For Arts

Jacqueline Weld Drake, the longtime chairman of the Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education, invited the children’s choir to her annual caroling holiday party. “This is why we work so hard at Casita Maria, to give kids a space for community, positivity, learning, and free expression,” said Weld Drake, welcoming ten students to sing carols by the fireplace.

Stated Executive Director Felix Urrutia, “We focus our resources on bringing in experienced, educated artists and teachers to work with committed youth, rather than taking a generalist after-school approach. That investment, supported by our Board and donors, is what makes Casita Maria different. It has made a significant impact in the enrichment and skill development of our youth choir, for example, and they have been invited to perform on WNYW TV’s ‘Good Day New York.’ The entire Casita Maria family is gleaming with pride!”

Before flocking to the Christmas tree for presents, they performed Casita Maria’s anthem – “Casita Maria… This is the place where we can grow. We gather here in joy, our spirits high. We come to sing and dance. To learn with all our heart. The culture of the Bronx. A place where we can thrive, feel freedom in our soul.” They also performed “Winter Wonderland,” “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “Carol of the Bells,” and “Feliz Navidad,” and guests joined in.

Board members Martha Bograd, Gautam Patel, and Ben Rodriguez-Cubenas were among the many guests, who also included Steven Aronson, Halim Bulos, Lady Liliana Cavendish, Lee Fryd, Susan Gutfreund, Eleanora Kennedy, Sharon King Hoge, Mercedes Levin, William Ivey Long, Alicia Lubowski-Jahn, Fern Mallis, Marc Rosen, Hunt Slonem, Justin Stewart, Mamie Kanfer Stewart, Sabrina Wirth, and Maria Wirth.

Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, the oldest Latin charity in New York City, provides high-quality arts education to over 1,000 students each day. Located in the South Bronx, Casita Maria creates a safe, welcoming community that enriches and uplifts youth and families. For more information, visit casitamaria.org.