b'localfoodbanknetworkMENDto distribute10,000facemaskstoresi-dents across the city. Another highlight, she says, was a partnership with Project Ready that sought to educate residents on voting; museum volunteers became phone bank workers, providing infor-mationaboutvoterregistration.To keep things light, artistic and nonpar-tisan, the museum sponsored a virtual cartooning contest among three profes-sional cartoonists that was designed to inform about voting rights and the his-tory of voting. The Welcome Center of the Newark Museum of Art The museum was also working fe- where many programs are held. Photo by Mike Peters.verishlytoadaptitsrichcurriculum forteachers,schoolsandfamiliesto the internet. Shirley Thomas, the mu- been the museums version of Escapeark family. The idea for the game andteachers preparing to use their games seumsseniordirectorofeducation,the Room. The game focuses on theits early design came from a museumand programs. The training focused on saysthemuseumwentfrom100BallantineHouse,the19th -centuryscheduler who was put on leave by thesocial and emotional well-being, along percent live to 100 percent virtual inmansionthathasbeenincorporatedpandemic.Eventuallythemuseumwith equity and inclusion. Each lesson three weeks. Aware of the strains oninto the museum itself. Designed forhired an actual gamer to finish it off,also included a bit on mindfulness.schoolsandteachers,themuseummiddleschoolersonup,thegameand brought in a team of museum em- And it has been so popular that the madeallofitsschoolprogrammingincludeschemistryproblems,Morseployees to make it as interactive, wide- LosAngelesSymphonygotintouch. free, and it worked to make things ascode clues, maps of Newark, and beer.ranging and educational as possible. They reached out to us and said, We fun, and as tangible, as possible. OneWilly Wonka-like with a twist, partici- It has been such a success that cor- hear you guys are doing great things, of the museums staff, for example, didpants must not only find the Ballan- porations now request it to help breaksaysThomas.Soonthemuseumwill a lesson on phases of the moon withtines beer recipethe family fortunethe ice with employee groups. partner with the symphony to provide Oreo cookies. was made in brewingbut must de- ThemuseumalsobeganofferingCalifornia teachers with a class on using The biggest hit, however, may havecide whether to sell it to a rival New- onlineprofessionaldevelopmentforart for social and emotional growth, and BRIGHTENING LIVESEVERY CLIENTEVERY HOMEEVERY TIMEI wake up every single day motivated to change lives because I believe every person deserves a home. Putting clients needs and wants first is my highest priority. As a listing agent, I specialize in getting sellers the highest bid in the shortest amount of time. As a buyer agent I am laser focused on getting buyers the best deal possible by aggressively negotiating on their behalf.If you are looking to buy, sell, invest or improve your credit so youcan jump into the real estate game, call me today. CAMILLE ESTRELLACell: 973-932-5637 camilleestrellahomes@kw.combshproperties.com 181 Maplewood Avenue,Maplewood, NJ 07040feature story /19'