In our 65 years in the neighborhood, the Bloomingdale Family Program has woven a web of ties between families that go over generations. Today we are focusing on the Santiago-Flores family: Family Worker Joyce Santiago and her children, Michael, Denise, and Christine Flores, and her grandchild, Xena Flores.
Our connection began with preschool age Michael Flores in September 1985. His sisters, Denise and Christine, started at Bloomingdale in 1994. Joyce Santiago, their mother, began her Bloomingdale career when our site at 987 Columbus Avenue opened in 1995.
For the last 30 years, Joyce’s calm, kind presence has efficiently guided countless families through their time with us. We are very grateful she is still with us today. Her children attended NYC schools, including PS 145 and Fashion Industries High School. Christine and Denise went to college at Fordham University in the Bronx. Today, Michael works in HVAC management, Christine works in Budget Management at Teachers College, and Denise is a multi-unit general manager for Van Leeuwen, a local ice cream chain that has gone national. She is opening up the first Florida location in March, 2025. Michael’s daughter Xena graduated from Bloomingdale in 2022.
Learn more about them in our video below:
