The H.E.S. mission is to help those in need, embrace diversity, practice inclusion and build a cordial community...

Founded in 1899, H.E.S. moved to its Canarsie location in 1967. In 1996, we became the “New H.E.S.”, in recognition of the agency’s revitalization, its commitment to serve all those in our community and the increased need for more programs and services for children and families.

The New H.E.S. is a nonprofit community center, led by a voluntary Board of Directors , who donate their time and expertise to guide the organization and to assist our community. The New H.E.S., located in southeast Brooklyn, serves more than 1,200 people daily, which accounts for more than 300,000 annual visits. We are the area’s major source of educational, recreational, cultural, fitness, sports and social-service programs for area residents and we annually provide services to more than 8,500 participants.

H.E.S. serves the diverse populations living in southeast Brooklyn including Jewish and African- American families and a large population of immigrant families from the Caribbean, Asia, Israel and the former Soviet Union.

The agency is the primary source of support for working parents and their children, especially the numerous modest income families living in our area. More than 85% percent of H.E.S.’s family participants are single-parent and two-working parent families. Without H.E.S., they would have little access to much-needed social services, childcare and recreational activities including a senior center, senior nutrition site, childcare, after-school care, literacy center, youth and adult programs.

Special populations have a place at the H.E.S. The agency operates an array of programs for developmentally disabled children and adults. There are several programs available for autistic children and their families. At the H.E.S., social services are always available.

The agency is a community resource hosting local community and civic groups and Town Hall meetings. The agency’s largest programs are for children and teenagers. Each year more than 800 preschoolers, children and teenagers participate in H.E.S. programs and activities. For their parents, the New H.E.S. is a safe haven for their children to learn, grow, have fun and fulfill their dreams.

H.E.S. works to create a cordial community bringing together the diverse populations that make up southeast Brooklyn. It is one of the few places in New York City where you can find Orthodox youth playing basketball or working out with African-American, Middle-Eastern and Russian speaking youth.