Deb Wasser
Founder of Family Disco at Children’s Aid Society
Deb Wasser is the founder of Family Disco. She originally started Family Disco in 2003, creating extravagant parties for many types of celebrations. After doing this for many years and making money, Deb wanted to and was able to switch to a not-for-profit in 2015. She realized that children in underserved communities don’t often have the means or the opportunities to celebrate any personal milestones, birthdays, or holidays. Deb now creates special events and parties at the Children’s Aid Society, an organization that provides support to children who are growing up in poverty, many of whom often have unstable family lives and physical and/or emotional stress. She hosts these parties for kids in underprivileged communities or in homeless shelters. Being celebrated gives the children a sense of self-confidence and worth. They become the center of attention and feel special, something that is often missing in their lives.
For each birthday party that Deb hosts, she works with a DJ, dancers, and a photographer as well as party supplies such as disco balls, costumes, and party favors to create the party space. Deb brings pizza and cake for the kids to enjoy, and all of her activities are catered to that specific birthday boy or girl. After the party is over, Deb creates a photo book for the guest of honor to keep and take home. These photo books give the kids something tangible to remember about this amazing experience -- a day when their friends and family came together to celebrate.
Through Family Disco, Deb has made a huge impact on these communities. Parents have told Deb that this is the first time their kids have ever had a party or even a cake with their name on it. These parties give the kids something to look forward to and a reason to be positive and happy in general.
Deb’s Favorite Memories and Touching Moments:
The Mother’s Day celebrations. Deb collects presents and spreads them out in the party room. The kids come into the room and get to choose something special to give to their mother/grandmother/caregiver.
Deb recalled a moment that touched her. A parent came up to Deb months after her son’s birthday party. She told Deb how much she loved the photo book Deb had made of the party. The parent said that they look at it many times a day, because this book contains the only pictures she has of her son smiling. Her son is autistic with social phobia, and there were moments in the party where he was able to have a breakthrough and enjoy himself. The mom told Deb that her son couldn’t believe that he smiled unless he saw the picture of himself.
What else does Deb do?
Deb volunteers at Storefront Academy, a charter school that serves very underprivileged kids, many of whom are in transitional housing, shelters, etc. These kids range from kindergartners to 5th graders. Deb comes in and reads to the children and gives them history lessons. Deb goes above and beyond.
One time, a teacher got called away and Deb took over a class. The students were given a piece of paper with “I Have a Dream” on it, and their job was to trace the letters. Deb came in and had them write down what their dream was, in writing or by drawing a picture. She helped them with this task, and many students had breakthroughs because of it.
A kid quoted back, “Knowledge is power!” to Deb from a lesson she had taught, showing that she was able to get their attention and have them respond. (This is huge -- according to Deb, the teachers there are overburdened and work so hard; they have a huge class of students and every day they spend the majority trying to discipline the students. It’s great if she can get the students to listen, but even better if they remember the lesson.)
During COVID-19, Deb went around and gave the kids from Storefront Academy packets of paper with work. While the kids had received a laptop or iPad for online school, many either don’t have internet or their internet isn’t strong enough to support all the children in one family.
Deb participates in a mentoring program for older girls at Storefront. She was paired with girls so that the students have someone to talk to and someone in their lives who cares about them and is there to truly listen. Over time, the girls have been able to open up, ask for advice, and more. Deb is able to become another adult presence in the girls’ lives, which is especially important in cases when parents are pulled in many directions.
One of Deb’s mentees lives in a household with different issues (it’s loud, there’s fighting, etc.). Deb isn’t allowed to give the girls gifts because of favoritism, but she was able to give this girl earplugs so she can block out what’s going on at home. Deb told her that she can always close her eyes and block out the noise. This is one example of a person for whom Deb made a huge difference.
During COVID-19, Deb volunteers for “God’s Love We Deliver.” She buys groceries and delivers them to people who are immunocompromised, elderly, food insecure, or who, for other reasons, can’t go out to get food. To learn more about this organization, please visit https://www.glwd.org/.
During COVID-19, Deb and her daughter started making masks in March, before quarantine was put in place or masks were mandatory. They researched and bought an extremely strong filter to put in the masks. Deb gave these masks to homeless people, essential workers, healthcare workers, and the elderly. All of the masks have fun different types of fabrics (Deb with one of these masks pictured).
Deb is working on creating a mobile library to go around to the kids at Storefront Academy, who often don’t have access to books during the quarantine.
To donate to this cause, visit: https://donate.childrensaidnyc.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app30125b?idb=1105427020&df_id=2320&mfc_pref=T&2320.donation=form1&NONCE_TOKEN=CA64FB1307EE4C7D0B763079EC1F6C46&2320_donation=form1!
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Written by Emily AlbertAll photographs pictured taken by Emily Albert