This Christmas, Positivity Persists teamed up with the Acacia Network for their annual toy distribution at their emergency and transitional housing shelters. For many New Yorkers, the holidays can feel heavy rather than hopeful. We believe every family, especially those hit by hard times through no fault of their own, deserves to see their kids’ faces light up with a gift and feel the genuine warmth of a community that cares.
As Michael D. Barry, Director of Social Services at Ruth Fernandez Family Residence, put it: “We take this time during the holidays to really give back to those who’ve been displaced by unfortunate circumstances.” Watching parents pick out that perfect gift for their child and seeing the relief in their eyes is exactly why we do this. Thanks to our amazing volunteers and staff, we were able to bring a little extra magic to families who might otherwise have gone without.
From toddlers to teenagers, kids of all ages (0 to 17) walked away with something special. At the core, Positivity Persists is a grassroots nonprofit that believes in showing up and rolling up our sleeves. While the distribution looks like a party on the surface, there’s a massive amount of behind-the-scenes hustle to make it happen. The leadership team spends months planning the logistics, from sorting hundreds of toys to mapping out delivery routes, all to ensure that our impact grows every single year.
Ifazal Pasha, President of Positivity Persists, says it best: “Positivity Persists exists because showing up still matters. Even when the work is quiet, even when progress is slow, and even when no one is watching.”
Their team and dedicated volunteers have been at this since 2022, back when the world was still reeling from the pandemic. Since day one, Positivity Persists has been built on a simple principle: community first. We’re here to meet our neighbors where they are and help NYC’s underserved communities shine a little brighter, one initiative at a time.
