Program Gives New York Kids a Break From the City

In 1877 an independent, not-for-profit organization was created to allow disadvantaged children to experience country life for some free time in the summer. When the Fresh Air Fund (freshair.org) began
New York City was overflowing with poor children living in crowded tenements. The Fund's tradition of caring provides a much needed respite from the inner city streets.

The simplicity of the program is its strength, according to its staff. "By sharing their homes with
New York Citychildren our host families tell us that they gain a new appreciation for their own communities and form relationships that last a lifetime," said Fresh Air Fund Executive Director Jenny Morganthau.

Since its beginning, more than 1.7 million children have been given the chance to swim in a cool country lake. The 501c (3) charity also has summer and year-round camps in upstate New York. Host families welcome children into their homes along the Eastern Seaboard.

Through the Fund's Friendly Town Program close to 6,000 children visit volunteer host families in rural and suburban communities. These kids come from some of the toughest neighborhoods with double-locked doors and lots of noise. Fresh Air children are six to 18 years old and the majority of the families are receiving some form of public assistance such as food stamps, free school lunch, or Medicaid. Fresh Air children are registered by over 70 participating social service and community organizations located in disadvantaged neighborhoods in the five boroughs in
New York City.

Friendly town host families live in the suburbs, on farms, or in the country. In every designated town there is a volunteer and chairperson responsible for the program. Chair people are supervised by regional volunteer Fresh Air Fund Reps who report to NYC staff.

Friendly town communities offer support to the Fresh Air children in many ways. Some civic groups plan summertime picnics for host families and their guests. Companies and individuals offer a lot to the participating towns. The Fund provides transportation for Fresh Air kids to and from the towns and arranges payment for any medical expenses for those with no insurance.

The camps are on the Fund's Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill, NY, 65 miles north of NYC.

Camp Tommy is the Fund's camp for boys ages 12 to 15 with 120 campers each session and Camp Hayden-Marks Memorial serves 204 boys ages nine to twelve. Camp Anita Bliss Coler serves 216 girls ages nine to thirteen attending each session and

Camp Hidden Valley serves 130 girls and boys with and without special needs ages eight to twelve.

Camp Mariah, the Fund's Career Awareness Camp enables nearly 300 inner-city teenagers to explore educational paths and career options while enjoying camp adventures. Swimming is the favorite camp activity and each one has a lake or pool.

Camp directors are professionals and medical care is provided to all children who need it. Each camp has a dining room where experiences cooks serve well-balanced meals. For more information, call 800-367-0003.