TAKE BACK YOUR SUNDAYS

“On my first trip to Haiti, we saw many people in improvised wheelchairs— plastic lawn chairs tied with bedsheets and fit with old bike wheels. Afya used custom-built wheelchairs designed specifically for their needs. One young teen was never able to feed himself because he couldn’t hold his head up— now he can. It must have taken eight people eight hours to build one wheelchair. He totally got it and was so appreciative. This work has changed me. Afya is the best therapy—it’s a place where you go to heal and be healed.” (Cynthia is chair of Afya’s advisory council.)

Miranda, a college student studying nursing, was volunteering for the first time at Afya. “I love it already,” she says. “I feel like I’m doing something big here. It opens your mind and teaches you new things— I’m learning that even if you don’t have money, you can give.”

With four other students, Claire, a high school senior (and a steady volunteer at the warehouse), developed an Afya program to share the arts with Haitian children. An electronics store gave the organization a deep discount on cameras for the kids to use. “When I first got to Haiti, I was very overwhelmed,” says Claire. “There are no traffic lights; cars are swerving.” She says she questioned the plan. “I wondered, what could art do here?” But ultimately there was so much joy—“not just in the kids when they were dancing or acting or taking pictures— but in their parents when the children shared their work. I saw that it mattered.”

“People often look at seniors as useless, particularly when they have disabilities. They’re afraid; they talk louder. Doing this work reminds me that I’m still worthwhile as a person.”

Legally blind, Betty resides at Kittay House, a senior-living facility in the Bronx. She and other residents previously had sorted supplies for Afya on their home turf. This was their first time in the warehouse. “It’s so fulfilling. I hate seeing things go to waste.” Early that day, when she arrived with her walker, Betty told Afya staffers to make sure not to donate it.

An assistant principal at Saunders Trades and Technical high school, in Yonkers, Tanya encourages students to volunteer, since the warehouse is just 10 minutes away on foot. Her kids have skills that can truly benefit Afya. After the earthquake in Haiti, some built bins and repaired wheelchairs and cribs to send along. At one point, Danielle Butin asked Tanya to recommend students who could create spreadsheets to log supplies. “Next thing I know, a few of the students were hired for after-school jobs!” says Tanya. “I want our kids to think globally and act locally. You never know where volunteering can lead you.”

BEETS ARE FULL OF FOLATE AND POTASSIUM—AND DELICIOUS IN A VEGGIE REUBEN SANDWICH (PAGE 164). Quick Cooking 170, 172

Healthy Pick 142, 157, 170, 172 Freezable 140, 142, 170 Make Ahead 140, 142, 160, 170 Big Batch 140, 142, 170 Slow Cooker 162 One Pot 170 Whole Grain 142

Vegetarian 142, 164, 170, 172 Gluten-Free 142, 157, 160, 170, 172 Family-Friendly 140, 142, 158, 172

Try shredded raw red cabbage in place of lettuce as a clean, ultra-crisp topping on butternut squash quesadillas (page 158), tacos, or any of your Mexican favorites.

OLIVES “ON THE PIT” (THAT IS, NOT PITTED) HAVE THE MOST FLAVOR, SO GO THIS ROUTE WHEN A RECIPE CALLS FOR A SMALL AMOUNT. TO REMOVE THE PIT, SMASH THE OLIVE ON A CUTTING BOARD WITH THE FLAT SIDE OF A CHEF’S KNIFE.

Photographs by Paul Sirisalee Food Styling by Chris Lanier