Stand we with nyc kids - The Fresh Air Fund
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
we stand
with nyc kids
2020 ANNUAL REPORT
99%
we stand our impact of caregivers would
recommend The Fresh
Air Fund to family and
friends
with nyc kids
86 %
THE PANDEMIC HAS HAD A
2,064 88% of caregivers reported their
child(ren) is more open to
DEVASTATING IMPACT THROUGHOUT of youth reported feeling
trying new things
active and healthy
NYC, BUT MOST SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE “Camp in a Box” kits were
sent to children participating
NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE FRESH AIR in our virtual camp Fresh Air
CHILDREN LIVE. Everywhere
In many ways, children have been the
pandemic’s unseen victims, with their loved
84
ones struck by the illness and their lives
suddenly revolving around quarantining and %
remote learning.
291
of youth reported
With the racial justice movement thrust feeling more
back into the national spotlight and a global confident
economic crisis, we knew we had to get
bags of fresh produce
creative to keep the magic of summer alive.
were given to families
as part of our Family
By reimagining what summer programs looked
84
Wellness program
like and developing engaging year-round
%
468
programming, we put NYC children first with
opportunities to learn, grow and thrive during
the summer and beyond. of youth reported wanting
to take better care of the hula hoops were
environment purchased for
Summer Spaces
2 3
about fresh air
Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit youth
development organization, has provided free summer experiences to more
than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities. Despite
the challenges presented by COVID-19, The Fund continues to provide safe,
fun, engaging and enriching experiences for New York City youth to keep
the magic of summer alive through virtual and outdoor programs. Fresh Air
children also participate in year-round leadership and educational programs.
A Fresh Air summer, full of first-time experiences and new friends, is simple
yet transformative.
Chairman’s message executive director’s report
When The Fresh Air Fund was founded in 1877, Teens participated in virtual credentialing courses in Much has happened this past year and amid the many Children are truly the unseen victims of the
tuberculosis was a public health crisis for children environmental education, entrepreneurship, video historic challenges, The Fresh Air Fund reimagined pandemic and as we look forward, we know we
in crowded tenements on the Lower East Side, game design and architecture and urban design.I was what summer could look like. As NYC became the have a lot of work ahead. We’ve seen the start of
and "fresh air" was considered a treatment. For so impressed when I participated in an outstanding epicenter of the pandemic in the spring of 2020, we much needed change and of a dialogue around
more than 140 years, The Fund has continued to presentation by participants and instructors from the knew that children would need the opportunity to racial justice. As an organization, we’ve started to
put children first through wide-ranging historical Virtual Design Studio program in partnership with be outside in fresh air, play and enjoy the magic of engage in understanding the actions we need to
events, including World Wars and the Great PennPraxis at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart summer. Through creativity and commitment, the take to become an anti-racist organization and to
Depression, and health emergencies such as the Weitzman School of Design. Fresh Air team made the impossible possible knowing ensure equity is at the core of our work across the
Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918. the power of summer and its connection to healthy organization. We will continue to uplift and invest in
Special thanks to Executive Director Fatima Shama, a childhood development. the lives of our young people and ensure they have
In 2020, faced by a global pandemic, we were true champion of children, who demonstrated grace access to enriching summer experiences and youth
determined to keep going stronger than ever to under pressure, as always. When there are obstacles in We stood by – and will always stand by – NYC children. development programs.
provide NYC children with safe, healthy, productive our path, she keeps us all moving forward. We were able to create a strong community across
and fun-filled summer experiences; and we did it all of our programs with collaboration, partnerships, Our work would not be possible without our
together! We appreciate your steadfast and loyal support. the generosity of our supporters and the trust of our generous supporters and partners. Thank you for
Thanks to all of you, despite the pandemic, our children and families. standing by NYC children with us.
I was amazed by the resilience of the staff who children experienced the joys of a Fresh Air summer...
stepped up with talent and dedication to continue because a summer can last a lifetime. With a reimagined summer at The Fresh Air Fund,
to create new programming for Fresh Air children there was much that brought endless smiles to With hope and
both virtually and in person. Due to a major gap my face. After months spent inside, I watched NYC great appreciation,
in summer youth employment this year, we also Sincerely, children playing safely in their own neighborhoods
allocated funds and resources towards jobs and at Summer Spaces program sites across the city. I
support for our teens. witnessed NYC families enjoying time together simply
relaxing in nature at our camps on Family Wellness
day trips. I joined children in our virtual day camp for Fatima Shama
illiam P. Lauder
W a Zoom visit to the farm at Sharpe Reservation, and I Executive Director
Chairman heard amazing final presentations from our teens who
participated in virtual summer learning academies.
4 5
In summer 2020,
we hula hoop with nyc kids
The Fresh Air Fund was
not able to operate its
traditional camping and
Friendly Towns programs.
Summer Spaces
With creativity and
commitment, The Fund
With the generosity of our partners, Bloomberg Philanthropies,
the Ford Foundation and The JPB Foundation, Summer Spaces
turned closed streets into age-appropriate safe play spaces for
96%
of caregivers said they would be
designed and launched new children, ages five to 13, at 10 program sites across NYC, based in
interested in a similar Summer
many of the communities most affected by the pandemic.
programs to keep Fresh Spaces program in the future
Air kids active, smiling and During two-hour sessions, children engaged in outdoor play with
connected to the outdoors. an emphasis on movement, arts and crafts and sports. They made
92%
kaleidoscopes, mobiles and kites, and played basketball, Frisbee,
soccer, jumped rope and had hula hoop tournaments! Through
a partnership with the American Ballet Theatre, professional
of children said their time at
teaching artists taught workshops at several sites.
Summer Spaces helped them
feel active and healthy
In our continued commitment to support job training and
employment opportunities for young people and with drastic cuts
to NYC’s Summer Youth Employment Program, we hired 140 NYC
12,000
youth, ages 17 to 24, to serve as coaches and mentors. They helped
children adapt to new physical distancing protocols and safely
have fun outdoors after spending months inside with limited
social interactions with their peers. The program serves as a model slots were available at 10 sites
for providing community-based opportunities for safe play.
“The activities are really
fun, and I love playing with
the other kids here!”
Ian, 9
6 7
we explore with nyc kids we smile with nyc kids
Open Spaces Fresh Air Everywhere
In partnership with the City Parks Foundation, Fresh Air Open
Spaces provided over 125 children, ages 12 to 15, the opportunity
to participate in an outdoor environmental education and
93 % Fresh Air Everywhere brought children, ages seven to
13, together in virtual bunks for weekly programs that
cultivated their curiosity through three themes: Around
of campers said their experience
sports program for two-week sessions, meeting for four hours a made them want to take better care the World, Nature, and Mystery and Time Travel. Each child
day, five days a week. of the environment received a “Camp in a Box” kit filled with arts and crafts
materials, a Fresh Air Fund t-shirt, books and all of the
At Marine Park in Brooklyn, Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx and supplies they needed for the daily activities.
98 %
Forest Park in Queens, children learned about birdwatching,
observing and releasing aquatic organisms, testing water Staff, many of whom were Fresh Air alumni, led programs
chemistry and identifying major tree species.They also learned in arts, literacy and STEM interspersed with movement
fundamental sports skills, such as proper running techniques, of campers said the program helped activities like yoga and dance, encouraging children to
basic tennis skills, track and field and soccer. them feel active and healthy be active while at home. Layering in literacy and learning,
project-based activities included academic components
Through our collaboration with the City Parks Foundation, to help address the challenges of “summer slide” and the
children experienced the beautiful outdoor spaces that can be learning loss seen after schools transitioned to remote
found within NYC and learned more about their responsibility to “We learned about birds, instruction.
care for the environment through hands-on activities – all while insects and plants. We used a
having the chance to play sports outside. magnifying glass to see really The program found creative ways to build community and
provide children with the excitement and joy of having
tiny insects, and we used the
new experiences, with a focus on connecting children to
binoculars to see birds. It was the outdoors through activities like a virtual visit to our
really cool when we gathered camp Model Farm.
bugs. We used a net and put
them in a little container where
we looked at them and wrote
down what we saw.I caught a
wasp. One of my friends caught
a bumblebee and the other 92% of campers said their experience made them
want to take better care of the environment
“My favorite memory was
making new friends. I met
caught a dragonfly!” Sophia and Austin and I liked
Kumorah, 12 playing games with them. I
87
also got a box of supplies! I
% of campers said the program helped them
feel active and healthy made a lot of pipe cleaner
bracelets and slime.”
Sienna, 10
97 % of caregivers would recommend the
program to friends and family
8 9
we achieve with nyc kids We Make Memories with NYC Families
Teen Programs Family Wellness
Continuing our over 25-year history of introducing youth to career
exploration and awareness, The Fund created a model program
focused on career exposure, job readiness training, internships
87 %
of participants found new things
At The Fund’s camps in New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley,
Fresh Air Family Wellness gave parents, guardians,
siblings and other relatives of Fresh Air children the
and credentialing opportunities for over 500 teens, ages 14 to 17. they were good at – that they opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, explore nature and
All participants received stipends and participated in professional didn’t know they were good at relax as a family.
development workshops.
Meals and refreshments were provided throughout
88%
At the height of the pandemic, when teens were feeling isolated the day, and transportation was provided if needed.
and facing economic hardships, we gave students a sense of greater Welcome bags were given to families when they arrived,
purpose and community, financial resources and a safe space to and each family returned home with a box of fresh
explore and express themselves. With guidance from mentors and of participants reported feeling produce from local farms. To ensure safety, the number
industry leaders, teens gained professional and life skills, developing more confident of daily visitors was limited, and each family was
a strong foundation as they look ahead to their own careers and matched with an individual staff member who guided
future opportunities for leadership. them through the day.
In partnership with four organizations: NOLS (National Outdoor
Leadership School); PennPraxis at the University of Pennsylvania
$416,800 The program offered families the opportunity to connect
with each other, connect with our staff and experience
Stuart Weitzman School of Design; Urban Arts Partnership and of funds were distributed to the rejuvenation and magic of fresh air. Families enjoyed
Youthful Savings, “virtual academies” introduced teens to basic, support stipends boating, swimming, arts and crafts, hiking nature trails,
industry-level skills in design and architecture, game design, visiting the planetarium, fishing and even scavenger
environmental science and entrepreneurship. Teens in the Job hunts. Many families shared that it was the first time
Readiness Program attended interactive workshops on developing they were together outdoors since the start of the
communication, leadership, conflict-resolution and time- “I really liked that on Fridays, pandemic and that the opportunity to enjoy peaceful
management skills, and participants in the Internship Program we had guest speakers surroundings and nature was one of the most special
gained first-hand work experience, directly assisting with Fresh Air parts of the experience.
come talk to us about their
Everywhere and at Summer Spaces sites.
experiences in the industry.
Before the summer, I didn’t
know anything about coding
1,257
games, but it’s showed me an
“My son went fishing for the first time
interesting new path, and it’s people participated
during Family Wellness, and he caught a
really fun!”
fish! He had the biggest smile ever. It was
Sally, 14 definitely the highlight for him. I really
recommend this program to other families.
It’s a great adventure.”
99 % felt more connected
as a family
100
Jazmin Marrero, mother of Jayden, 11
% would recommend the
program to family and friends
10 11
we grow with nyc kids We STAY CONNECTED with NYC Kids
Youth Employment
Through Fresh Air Everywhere, Teen Programs and Summer
Year-Round Programming
After schools shut down in March, The Fund's academic enrichment
3,500
books were given to NYC children
Spaces, we employed 200 New York City youth, ages 18 to programs quickly pivoted to virtual programming. Within a week,
at 11 book fairs hosted by The
24. Every summer The Fund hires hundreds of seasonal staff the Young Women’s Giving Circle, College Connections and Tutoring
Young Women’s Giving Circle
and as we saw opportunities for young people to gain paid programs were meeting virtually. As students shifted to remote
work experience dramatically limited, our commitment school, we knew the support of a mentor and continuity of our
became even stronger. programs was crucial.
3,400
Building on The Fresh Air Fund’s long history of providing As we planned for school year programs, we built on the success of
career exposure and job training for young people, summer virtual programming and created events to support children
leadership and professional development opportunities and families ranging from talent shows, Fresh Air game days and hours of virtual tutoring
were offered throughout the summer. Our orientation “Summer in the Winter” parties to opportunities to build community
provided trainings in positive youth development, behavior and stay connected with book clubs and teen nights. We provided
50
management, effective communication, diversity, equity a safe space for children in our “Let’s Connect” meetings and a
and inclusion, mental health and more. separate “Caregivers Connect” program to support parents, along with
continuing our Family Wellness calls which helped us stay connected
virtual job shadowings
This dynamic, energetic and committed cohort of 18 to with families and better understand the support they needed.
24 year olds was instrumental to The Fund's summer
programming and served as mentors and role models for The Young Women’s Giving Circle, a youth-led program that teaches
Fresh Air children. Whether during “bunk time” on Zoom or girls about the importance of philanthropy and community service, “I usually don’t like reading,
playing sports and creating art together at Summer Spaces, has expanded to three groups; Camp Junior workshops have focused but at the Bookworm Club,
our Youth Employment Program participants ensured there on overcoming obstacles, anti-bullying and peer pressure; the they chose books that are
was always a friendly smile at the other end of a Zoom College Connections Program continues to provide mentoring and
really good and that I can
screen and an encouraging cheer during a soccer game at critical support throughout the application process; and our Career
Summer Spaces. Awareness Program has expanded tutoring and job shadowing
relate to. I always tell my
opportunities and piloted new book clubs. friends and family about it.”
“I’ve been part of The Fresh Air Fund Family as
a camper and a counselor. Working over the 200 Amina, 11
summer taught me that patience is key and how NYC 18 to 24 year olds were employed
to communicate with other people, which has
helped me both personally and academically.
The Fresh Air Fund helped me build up the
confidence to always ask questions and to speak 45 %
were alumni of Fresh Air programs
up for myself. Over the past few years, the kids
and staff have become my second family.”
Cesar Moran, 18
12 13
financials legacies and bequests
OPERATING SUPPORT AND REVENUE Current Funds at Period Ended December 31, 2020 The following donors chose LEGACIES AND BEQUESTS INCOME
The Fresh Air Fund as a October 1, 2019 - December 31, 2020
Off-Season Use of Camps $ 454,505
beneficiary of their estate,
Investment Income $ 4,791,317
leaving a legacy of growth, Patricia M. Anderson Estate of Rutherford L. Moore
Contributions* $ 19,354,865
learning and fresh air to NYC Revocable Trust Estate of Ingeborg Price
Total Support and Revenue $ 24,600,687 children for generations to Estate of Rita Joyce Avakian Estate of John P. Stipanela
come. Visit FreshAir.org to Estate of Peter Batacan
OPERATING EXPENSES The Helen Strauss Revocable Trust
learn about more options for Estate of Lin Becker Estate of Selma Ullman
PROGRAM SERVICES planned gifts.
Estate of Kenneth A. Bernard Estate of Arthur E. Ullrich
Friendly Towns Activities $ 3,936,115
Estate of Mary Franco Trust of Betty G. Waller
Fresh Air Camps $ 3,851,265
Estate of Barbara Haas Estate of Sara Wind
Sharpe Reservation $ 5,042,340
Virtual and Community Programs $ 2,546,000
SUPPORTING SERVICES
Management & General $ 4,797,580
Fundraising $ 4,427,387
Total Expenses $ 24,600,687
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Not included in the above are:
(a) Bequests and Trusts and Other Gifts
added to funds functioning as Endowment $ 3,101,919
(b) Net gain (loss) on investment transactions $ 7,944,795
(c) Contributions to Land, Buildings, and Equipment Fund $0
(d) Depreciation expense ($2,248,508)
* Total contributions raised also include items (a) and (c). (Total contributions for 2020 - $ 20,082,599.)
As of December 31, 2020:
Assets, Liabilities and Net Assets ($) Amount
Assets $ 144,448,070
Liabilities $ 4,281,546
Net Assets $ 140,166,524
FYE 2019, net assets balance $ 134,249,594
FYE 2018, net assets balance $ 139,559,291
A copy of our financial reports may be obtained from The Fresh Air Fund, 633 Third Avenue, 14th floor, New York, NY 10017 (212) 897-8900,
from the New York State Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005, or from the Charities Registry on the
New York State Attorney General’s website, www.charitiesnys.com. © 2021 The Fresh Air Fund
14 15
our donors and partners Paula Cooper
Catherine Crimmins
Barbara Croswell
George and Gloria Pacchiana
Gerald and Michelle Parrish
Rafael Pelli and Kate Walbert
Lishawn Alexander
American Ballet Theatre
American Jewish Historical Society
Assembly Member Catalina Cruz
Mouse.org
Mutual of America
Nantucket Spyder
NASDAQ
Anne Davey Anne Breck Peterson
Assembly Member Nathalia Fernandez National Association of City
Patrick and Catherine de Saint-Aignan Jean and Jacqueline Plumez
Assembly Member Victor Pichardo Transportation Officials (NACTO)
Samuel del Pilar Abigail Pogrebin and David Shapiro
Assembly Member Diana C. New York Cares
Dime Community Bank Elizabeth Portland and Tom Toce
Richardson New York City Department of Parks
Karen and Greg Dimit Steven Potolsky and Nancy Dornbush
The Fresh Air Fund is Marlise C. Konort Mats and Lydia Carlston/Winston & Penske Business Media, LLC
T. Troy and Keisha Dixon Judy Rasmuson
Assembly Member Latrice M. Walker & Recreation
Jean S. Lancaster ’71 Trust Strawn Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie New York City Department of
very grateful to our loyal The Lovelight Fund Neil and Argero Clark Katherine C. Pierce
Paul Donofrio and Ellen Reddy Joan Rechnitz BioBus Transportation
and generous donors for Marie-Noelle Meyer Continental Grain Company Abby Pratt
Patrick B. Dorsey Red Mountain Fund Biolite New York State Parks, Recreation &
Susan Eckert Chelsey Ring The Brandt Foundation Historic Preservation
support of our programs. Stephen and Evalyn E. Milman Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP Edward Purce
Elizabeth E. Ehrenfeld Rubin Family Foundation Broadway Housing Communities The New York Times Company
The Ambrose Monell Foundation Daniel and Ellen Crown The Frances and Abraham Reichman
The following names Morgan Stanley Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Cunningham Charitable Trust
Gregory and Melissa Elders Kevin and Molly Ryan Bronx Borough President Ruben NOLS
Diaz Jr. Nuventra Pharma Sciences
are listed in recognition New York State Office of Parks, Sharon Davis The Renaissance Foundation
Elisabeth Erlbaum Nancy Sands
The Falik Philanthropic Fund Richard and Margaret Santulli Bronx Community Board 4 OneSight
of their gifts received Recreation and Historic Preservation Elisabeth de Picciotto Carlos Rodriguez-Pastor
Jennifer Weiss Friedman Jennifer M. Schneck
Bronx Community Board 6 Penguin Random House
Glenn and Alina Pacchiana/Thalle Ahmed Deria and Grace Chung Nancy B. Rooney
October 1, 2019, through Robert A. and Jane G. Friedman Mindy Schneider and Michael Lesser
Brooklyn Children’s Museum PennPraxis, Stuart Weitzman School
Industries Dillard’s Greg Rosica/EY Brooklyn Community Board 16 of Design, University of Pennsylvania
December 31, 2020. David and Nilam Perpich LizabethAnn Rogovoy Eisen Rubenstein Associates, Inc.
Abraham Fuchsberg Family Joyce and Joel Seligman
Brooklyn Community Board 7 The Pit NYC
Foundation, Inc. Catherine Sommers
The Pinkerton Foundation Martin Elias David L. Russo and Mary Gail Gearns Brooklyn Community Board 8 Queens Community Board 3
Mario Gabelli Susan Sommers Brownsville Jobs Plus Queens Public Library
John Roach Trust Fund Hassan and Rasha Elmasry Win and Mary Rutherfurd
CHAMPIONS Liz and Ed Gaelick John Steinberg and Jill Pliskin Cantonment Roundabout Theatre Company
Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller Fund Equinox Fitness Clubs Elizabeth H. Scheuer and Peter A.
$100,000+ Benjamin and Edith Rodman Fund Esmond Nissim Foundation Joseph
Gipson Family Foundation Ben and Charlotte Sullivan Citibank SCAN Harbor
Global Endowment Management John Templeton Foundation City Council Majority Leader Laurie Scholastic
Anonymous Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Marc A. Feigen Thomas Schumacher
Richard Greene Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Cumbo Senator Alessandra Biaggi
Abrahamson Family Foundation Philanthropies The Frelinghuysen Foundation Richard and Carol Seltzer
Allison and Rob Grigg The TJX Foundation, Inc. City Council Member Robert Cornegy Senator Velmanette Montgomery
Blavatnik Family Foundation Shake Shack Lily Palmer Fry Memorial Trust Richard Shepard and Carolyn
Agnes Gund Trish Todd City Council Member Danny Dromm Senator Jessica Ramos
Bloomberg Philanthropies Betsy and Paul Shiverick John N. and Gillett A. Gilbert Horwitz
Guyanese Cultural Association Scott and Locky Trachsel City Council Member Vanessa Gibson Senator Gustavo Rivera
The Estée Lauder Companies The Shubert Organization, Inc. Goldbelly Gautam Shine City Council Member Ritchie Torres Senator Luis Sepulveda
Michelle Hobart and Justin Peyser Kingsley Tryndall
Charitable Foundation Jacqueline Albert Simon Goldman Sachs & Co. Dr. and Mrs. Bernard E. Small City Parks Foundation Senator Jose M. Serrano
J.M. McDonald Foundation, Inc. Vineyard Vines Retail, LLC
The Ford Foundation George V. and Jean A. Smith Barbara Freid Gottesman Howard Solomon and Sarah Clinique Shake Shack
Carol Johnson The Laura B. Vogler Foundation, Inc.
Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie Charitable Trust George A. Hambrecht Billinghurst Solomon Cognilibro Sing Me a Story
Jacqueline Jones-Peace and Breon Michael Wall
John and Jeanet Irwin/JJJ Charitable Teagle Foundation, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Ben Harris Gillian Sorensen Comcast Speedo
Peace Lauren and Matt Wallerstein Common Ground Farm State Street Global Services
Foundation Vital Projects Fund, Inc. Christine Haydinger Jane and Richard Steadman
Gail and James Kellogg Family Fund The Walt Disney Company Con Edison Street Lab
Jerome L. Greene Foundation Tali Farhadian Weinstein and Boaz Mervyn Hecht The Sternlicht Family Foundation Inc.
Frederick and Sarah Khedouri Mary Waterman and William Lunt Coolture Impact Styles by Pat
The JPB Foundation Weinstein The James Huntington Foundation Theodore and Karin Mayer Family
Indra Kish and Ken Heavey Margery P. Weed Family Charitable Crop Organic Vodka SUNY Downstate Medical Center
K Period Media Chip and Jennifer Weiss Craig and Janice Ivey Foundation, Inc.
Fred Kramer Foundation Culture Lab LIC at The Plaxall Gallery Sweet Blackberry Foundation
Leonard and Judy Lauder Lucille Werlinich Freda S. Johnson Uber Eats
Sidney and Judith Kranes Foundation Lawrence and Alice Weiner Steven DeLuca Syncopated Ladies
William P. Lauder and Lori Kanter The Witten Family Foundation JPMorgan Chase Foundation Lance Wachenheim
Rae Krelitz Lois Weinroth DJ Rashida Take Two Interactive Games
Tritsch J.M. Kaplan Fund George P. Wakefield Residuary Trust
Larry Weiss Eggbert Free Range Farm The TJX Companies
Kurtz Family Foundation
The Lawrence Foundation Miriam Kartch-Hughes Warner Music Group ElmCor Tommy Hilfiger
The Gary Magness Family Foundation
PATRONS Rick and Mary Beth Ketchum Paul Weissman
Jane Lauder Donna Welicky and Stephen O'Neill
ESPN Turn A Page
$10,000-$24,999 The Ronald and Jo Carole Lauder Forrest Williams
Barbara Marcin Isabelle B. Krusen and Michael C. Beth and Brad Whitman The Financial Gym Untitled Investments
Foundation Ransom Wilson
Anonymous (13) Sodikoff Diana Wortham First Book Urban Arts Partnership
The Leibowitz and Greenway Family Max Wygod Flying Deer Nature Camp Warner Music Group
The Achelis and Bodman Foundation Nancy Langsan and Daniel K. Bernstein
BENEFACTORS George Ledes
Charitable Foundation Melvin and Donna Young Food & Beverage Association, Inc. Wells Fargo
Ann Amicone
$25,000-$99,999 Gregory D. Lee and Amanda Moretti
SPONSORS Steven Lewent Susan Zirkl Z.L. Memorial Charitable Free Country Tamiko White
Atlantic, Tomorrow’s Office
$5,000-$9,999 John and Helen Lobrano Foundation Trust Go Go Squeez The Writer
Anonymous (7) Leslie Williams and James Attwood Mr. and Mrs. David Levine
Stephanie Lynch Donors who generously support our Goldman Sachs Young Audiences New York
The Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Helene Banks Nancy Long, Ph.D. and Marc N. Waldor Anonymous (23)
Marcum Foundation, Inc. programs at the $1,000-$4,999 level Google Youthful Savings
Foundation The Theodore H. Barth Foundation Alexis and Laura Maged Barbara A. Abeles
Robin and Peter Matt are listed in our digital annual report Harvard Art Museums
Charles C. Cahn, Jr. Sandra Atlas Bass & Edythe & Sol G. Marion Malcolm American Endowment Foundation
Joyce F. Menschel at freshair.org/donors-partners. Hunger Free NYC
Mariah Carey Atlas Fund Shelly and Tony Malkin Drew Anderman IDK Tonight
Richard and Ronay Menschel
Citi Michael and Donna Bass The Nicholas Martini Foundation Arnhold Foundation, Inc. JCCA
Jennifer Monahan
Michael T. Cohen and Andrew H. Roos Kathy Fein Bierman Richard and Carole Mavity Wendy and Fred Bachman SPECIAL THANKS TO JPMorgan Chase
Donna D. Morgan, Ph.D.
Bloomingdale’s Charles Merrels James and Veronica Baker L’Oreal
on behalf of 23rd Street Properties
Jenny Morgenthau OUR PARTNERS
Con Edison Michael Bogner Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP Scott Banerjee Liberty Optical
Colleen Bondy Sandra Earl Mintz Frances Berger
Elizabeth and Aaron Morrill who helped us by Loews Hotel
Andreas C. Dracopoulos
MUFG Union Bank Foundation
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Jason Bordainick The Montgomery Family Foundation Tjeerd and Jane Best donating items, giving MacKay Shields
The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation Manhattan Borough President Gail
MUFG Bank, Ltd.
Wendy R. Flanagan and Chris O’Malley Jeffrey Boutilier The Morton K. and Jane Blaustein
Clover Nicholas of their time, helping Brewer
Friman & Stein, Inc. Blair and Elizabeth Boyer Donald Newhouse Foundation, Inc.
Katherine Brobeck Sandra G. Nowicki Susan Blaustein and Alan Berlow
Lukasz and Dana Niedzielski launch new programs Manhattan Community Board 9
Jane L. Gilbert Matthew Potel Foundation
Olmstead Properties, Inc. - Samuel W.
The Goodnow Fund Virginia Brody John O’Connor Priscilla H. Blum and providing additional McCormick & Company
Rosenblatt
Otto Haas Charitable Trust Bulldog Ventures, LTD Yoko Ono Judith Haskell Brewer Fund
Sam and Nathalie Orans encouragement and Meadowbrook Farm
Christina and Donald Hawks III Carlos and Beatrice Burns Paula K. Oppenheim Terence and Catherine Cardew Method Design
OREO Cookies
Orr-Pitts Family Charitable Annuity support.
The Hearst Foundation, Inc. Nancy S. Calcagnini Cathay Bank Foundation Michter’s Distillery LLC
Trust 150th-155th Street Edgecombe Avenue
Howard Johnson Foundation The Richard E. Capri Foundation/ Origo-Levy Child Welfare Fund Chatham Imports, Inc. Mixed Company NYC
Phyllis Oxman Block Association
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Steven M. Wolf Penguin Random House, Inc. Maria Cilenti and Michael Embler Morgan Stanley
16 17
our board
April 23, 2020
A Breath of Fresh Air Editorial
OFFICERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
For Karen Arroyo, a medical assistant at Montefiore Medical Center in the
William P. Lauder June Ambrose Gregory D. Lee Bronx, the night hours now seem to collapse into one another. She moves
Chairman of the Board among Covid-19 patients who are too weak to speak to her. She checks their
Tiki Barber Alexis F. Maged vital signs and cleans them off when they’re soiled. She wraps up those who
Mariah Carey Joseph J. Magliocco are deceased and prepares them to be transported to the morgue. When
John N. Irwin III
Ms. Arroyo gets home at 7 a.m., she sprays her clothes down with Lysol so
Vice Chairman Mats G. Carlston David S. Perpich as not to expose her family.
Wendy R. Flanagan Ahmed Deria Caroline Cummings Rafferty Ms. Arroyo tries not to let her three children see the full emotional weight
President Barbaralee Diamonstein- Nancy Rooney of her work — her fear of exposure to the virus, and grief from witnessing
so much loss. But they can tell that their mom is struggling, and they try to
Spielvogel
LizabethAnn Rogovoy Eisen Greg Rosica distract her by playing her favorite songs and silly TikToks. Her kids have
Hugh Grant their own stress, too. Their schools have closed, and they miss seeing their
Vice President Betsy Shiverick friends; they worry about keeping up with classwork now that their lessons
Donald L. Hawks III are all online.
Winthrop Rutherfurd, Jr. Kimberly E. Steward
JOSHUA BRIGHT FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES
Secretary Craig S. Ivey
Richard D. Thomas On her toughest days, Ms. Arroyo likes to imagine where her children were
Howard B. Johnson last summer, and where they’ll hopefully be again soon: Camp Junior, a
Karen Arroyo, a medical assistant at Montefiore Medical Center,
Bradley A. Whitman Fresh Air Fund camp in New York’s Harriman State Park. She likes to close
Derrick D. Cephas with her children Mikayla, far left, Aiden, and Gabby.
Isabelle B. Krusen her eyes and picture them kayaking and giggling with cabin-mates, far from
Treasurer Steven M. Wolf
the sounds of the city ambulances. Camp Junior opened just last year, and it is not just Ms. Arroyo’s family
who has already felt its effects: More than 320 young people from across
“It’s such an uncertain time, and I’ve lost so many people I know,” Ms. the Bronx had the chance to spend their summer there, learning skills
Arroyo said. “My kids really need to be back at camp. They need to be ranging from wilderness survival to conflict resolution.
IN MEMORIAM around people and nature.”
“They came back with stories about kayaking, about talent shows, about the
Jacqueline Albert Simon Growing up, Ms. Arroyo never went hiking or learned to swim. She could counselors,” Ms. Arroyo said. “They learned about this whole other world
navigate the subways and streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, but the
Ruth W. Houghton out there because of the Fresh Air Fund.”
thought of being outdoors made her anxious. She didn’t want to pass on her
own fears to her children, so she made sure to teach them how to bike and Fatima Shama, executive director of the Fresh Air Fund, said the
hold their breath underwater when they were young. organization has a long history of serving families during times of public
health crisis. The organization was founded in 1877 to help children
Last year, she found an application for the Fresh Air Fund’s Camp Junior affected by a tuberculosis outbreak, especially those living in New York’s
online. When she got the notice that her children were accepted, she had to densely packed tenements, by giving them opportunities to leave the city
read it three times over before she believed it. Her children were going to and spend time outdoors.
have an opportunity she’d never been afforded: summer camp.
Ms. Shama said that the needs of New York City’s children today amid
Her children were nervous leaving home for the first time on their own, but the coronavirus pandemic aren’t so different. “For children living in the
by the end of the 12-day session they were already making plans for next realities of lockdown, there’s a lack of ability to be children,” she explained.
summer. In each child, Ms. Arroyo noticed a subtle change. Aiden, 10, was
ecstatic to have a new audience for his goofy jokes. Mikayla, 11, had come The Fresh Air Fund hopes to reach thousands of New York City children
out of her shell and was telling stories about her new friends. And Gabby, from low-income families this year. A visit to a volunteer host family costs
14, had grown quietly more confident, talking about one day becoming a $1,597, and $2,072 sends a Fresh Air child to a camp for one session.
counselor at the Fresh Air Fund. The fund hopes to raise more than $12 million by the end of September.
Ms. Shama said the organization plans to open its camps this summer,
Gabby recalled the moment she realized that she had the skills to be a unless advised by public health officials to keep them closed due to social
counselor, when she was comforting another homesick camper and helped distancing guidelines. The organization is exploring ways to adapt its
her write a letter home to her mom. “Nobody knew each other, but it was traditional summer programming if needed.
such a friendly environment,” Gabby said. She added that each day brought
new experiences. “Swimming in a lake and hiking for hours was something Tax-deductible contributions may be sent to The Fresh Air Fund, 633 Third
I’d never gotten to do before.” Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10017. Families who wish to be hosts,
or parents who would like to sign up their children, may call The Fresh Air
Fund at (800) 367-0003 or visit www.freshair.org.
Copyright ©2020 by The New York Times Company. Reprinted with permission.
18 19633 Third Avenue, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10017
212.897.8900 | 800.367.0003
www.FreshAir.org
freshair@freshair.org
@freshairfund
@freshairfund
@thefreshairfund
Concept/Design:
Great Believer / greatbeliever.us
Photo credits:
Joan Barker, Katie Borrazzo and Allison EngkvistYou can also read
