This guest post was written by Jane, Program Director of Camp Felix

 

August 25^th marked the last day of our 12^th summer at Camp Felix! With your help, we provided an unforgettable summer camp experience for a total of 163 children this summer.

 

 

More than half of them were new to Camp Felix. These campers were treated to a wide array of programs and activities including sports, swimming in the pool, arts and crafts, dance, theater, music, photography, rock climbing, DJ workshops, camp fires, scavenger hunts, brain games, yoga, special events and performances and much more. They made new friends and formed solid bonds with their counselors, they learned new skills, spent time outdoors surrounded by beautiful nature, and most importantly – they just got to be kids!

 

 

This summer was filled with many firsts for us – first field trip for our CIT’s (Counselors In Training) to go kayaking on the Hudson River, first summer with a full-time Social Worker on staff, first summer with as many as 4 staff members who are previous campers, plus an expert-led rock climbing program and a weekly professional photo shoot which provided each camper with a framed photo of him/herself to take home.

 

 

Our outstanding team of dedicated staff members, led by Camp Director Josh Hernandez (from Haven Academy), did a great job as they supervised the campers, engaged them in activities, taught them about friendship, encouraged team spirit, comforted them during rough times, and celebrated their successes.

 

 

All the work and preparation that goes into making Camp Felix possible is truly a team effort – at New York Foundling and at The Felix Organization. I continue to be impressed by our colleagues at the various programs, regions, and departments at NYF, and I couldn’t be more grateful to our friends and co-sponsors at the Felix Organization.

 

 

Here is what a few campers had to share about their experience at Camp Felix this summer:

 

 

“I get to do everything I’ve wanted to do at camp.” – 9-year-old camper

 

“Camp Felix is a hopeful place to be. You learn a lot of things from other people and from the staff members – like being kind to each other, and how to say things better.” – 12-year-old camper

 

“It’s a really fun experience. Counselors are down to earth with us. They really care about us.” – 13-year-old camper

 

“Camp Felix is all about trying new things, meeting new people and making a family with them. Everyone tries new things and counselors work hard to help you.” – 12-year-old camper

 

“This summer I got to be on stage for the first time – it was scary at first but felt better when I saw friends cheering me on. I feel supported by people here.” – 13-year-old camper

 

 

I thank you all for contributing to life-changing experiences and everlasting memories for so many deserving campers.

 

 

Related posts:

• Camp Felix Summer of 2017 Memories
• The North Face Grants The New York Foundling $12k for Camp Felix
• Camp Felix Reunion 2017

Above: Photo of some of the damaged sustained by the Foundling’s Head Start sites in Puerto Rico.

 

When Hurricane Maria tore through Puerto Rico on September 20, it left a trail of devastation behind. The category 4 storm hit home for The New York Foundling: Since 1984, we’ve run Head Start and Early Head Start programs on the Island, serving kids age 5 and under and their families in some of the most impoverished areas.

 

Today, we have 400 staff in Puerto Rico working with 1,500 kids and their families at 42 sites across San Juan, Cataño, Toa Baja, Vega Alta and Coamo. We had a major expansion just before the storm, making it possible for us to reach even more families in need.

 

Our buildings in these locations sustained extensive wind and water damage, and we are in touch with our staff daily about the state of the area and its people. The Foundling is working around the clock to assess the full scope of damage and every day we are making progress with clean-up efforts and getting our doors back open to the community.

 

While much of the Island is still in desperate need of help and assistance, we have some promising updates on what we’ve been able to accomplish:

• One of our locations where power has been restored is serving as a dialysis site for those in need of daily treatment
• 3 classrooms have re-opened
• In certain areas, we are providing our kids and their families with basic meals and snacks

 

We hope to open three more classrooms this week. Foundling staff continues to reach out to families in the community and take stock of everyone’s situation and needs.

 

We’re grateful for all of the people who have donated to support The Foundling in its efforts to get our programs up and running to provide our families, staff and their surrounding communities stability and services. We could not have made this progress without your generosity.

 

As we continue to assess the needs of our people and their communities, we will keep you updated. We are incredibly proud of our staff in Puerto Rico, who are so dedicated to their communities that they are working tirelessly in the face of adversity, grief and hardship.

 

Thank you for our continued support in the relief and recovery efforts.

 

Related post:

• 5 Ways You Can Help Puerto Rico After Devastating Hurricanes
• The Latest News from Our Puerto Rico Early Childhood Programs

The Foundling’s Deaf Services Department contributed to this post

 

September marks Deaf Awareness Month, and from September 18-24, all around the world, we celebrate and acknowledge International Week of the Deaf.

 

At The New York Foundling, we have a Deaf Services department. The staff on this team, many of whom are Deaf or hard of hearing themselves, work with families in the community who are referred by the Administration for Children’s Services for preventative services. The Foundling is the only preventive agency contracting with ACS serving the Deaf community.

 

Below, one of our interpreters, shares some interesting facts about the Deaf and hard of hearing community that you may not have known.

 

1. Sign Language is widely used. Approximately 70 million deaf people use sign language as their first language, according to the World Federation of the Deaf. Sign Language gives the Deaf community a sense of belonging, community, and identity.

 

2. Sign Language is not universal. In America, and in parts of Canada, the Deaf community uses American Sign Language, or ASL.The Deaf community in U.K. use British Sign Language (BSL). There are estimated to be over 300 signed languages currently in use around the world.

 

3. American Sign Language is not a “signed version of English”. It is its own unique language, with different structure, grammar and syntax than English.

 

4. A child of a Deaf adult is given a special term in the Deaf community. They’re called Child of Deaf Adult (CODA). A CODA’s first language is often ASL, or another signed language, rather than English or spoken language.

 

5. It is believed ASL derived from France. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, it may have derived from LSF, or Langue des Signes Française. France is where the first school for the deaf was founded in 1760s.

 

6. In the 1920s, Gallaudet University’s football team used to “huddle” to discuss next play. The university for the Deaf and hard of hearing did this so the other team could not see their signed communications — a practice still used by football teams everywhere today.

 

Related posts:

• Parents with NYF Deaf Services Celebrate ‘Parenting Journey’ Graduation
• Deaf Services Summer Social Outing to The Intrepid Museum

Above: Dewayne, Jane, Robyn and Jeremiah

 

Dewayne K.

 

Dewayne K. joined The Foundling’s Developmental Disabilities Division as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) in December of 2014. Watching over 8 young men who live together in an apartment building in the east Bronx (two apartments with 4 housemates), Dewayne has created a strong sense of community and friendship. He helps each of the individuals in his home set goals they want to achieve (long-term and short-term) and then creates plans that will help these men reach their goals!

 

Dewayne is eager to help the residence manager with requests big and small, and making sure The Foundling’s apartments meet standards set by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Dewayne is always checking in with his colleagues, supervisors and the men who live the apartments where he works.  When it was crunch-time to open a new apartment down the block, Dewayne rescheduled a vacation so he could help with the unveiling.

 

Jane O.

 

The below was submitted by Jane’s colleagues

 

Jane is a Direct Support Professional with The Foundling’s Developmental Disabilities Division.

 

While working at The Foundling’s supervised housing location in Staten Island, Jane O. has worked in a special and unique way with all of the individuals who live there.

 

I can remember on several occasions how Jane assisted the individuals in having a productive and independent life, and making sure they were always safe. One particular day stands out most for me and it involved one of our individuals being admitted into one hospital, discharged only to then be readmitted into another hospital. Jane was there with him all the way. Her shift began at 7 a.m. and lasted well above the regular 8 hours.

 

While at the hospital, Jane made sure to advocate for the very best medical care for the individual. After being in the hospital for 14-plus hours, Jane returned to the residence and completed all documentation and went home. I expected her to call off the next day, however, Jane came in at 7 a.m. as she always does, with a smile on her face and ready to work. She immediately began following up with the hospital regarding the individual’s care and well-being.

 

Jane shows a great deal of dedication to what she does and to the care for all of the individuals she continues to work with.  After 35 years with NYF, Jane will be retiring from her full-time position this October, but will continue to spread her hard work and passion for working with the individuals by continuing her work as part of our per-diem staff. Thank you, Jane!

 

Robyn T.

 

The below was submitted by Robyn’s colleagues

 

Robyn T. has been with The Foundling’s FOCUS Community Habilitation program for over two years. In that time, she has been working with one individual for over a year now on how to use his iPad to communicate and express himself, and show his wants and needs.

 

While he has made amazing progress, there was a period of time when the family was not utilizing the communication device because they could not understand it due to a language barrier. But even with a language barrier, Robyn has been able to express to the family why it is so important to continue to use the communication device and how helpful it is for the child.

 

After over a year of working with the family, at a recent session, the mom sat down at the kitchen table and asked which buttons to press to prompt her child to complete different tasks and communicate different things to him. Robyn is now creating a “cheat sheet” with Mandarin and Picture Exchange Communication Symbols (PECS) for the mom so she can easily identify how to increase communication with her son.

 

Amazing job, Robyn, making a sustainable change in this family’s life.

 

Jeremiah H.

 

The below was submitted by Jeremiah’s residence manager

 

Jeremiah H. is a Direct Support Professional at a Staten Island community residence. He has been very influential in helping staff in foster a better life in a world where people are judgmental towards individuals with disabilities.

 

Jeremiah encourages and takes most of the individuals out in the community to look for jobs, as well as participate and do volunteer work in the community. He always says of his clients, “I love my guys, and will do my best to make them happy.” He will at times make an extra effort when needed to take individuals to see friends and family, work extra hours to do so.

 

Jeremiah is a role model to most of the guys at the Staten Island residence. The individuals go to him for advice because he is always willing and available to listen to them. He brings them together when there are conflicts and resolves problems when they are not getting along with each other. He encourages respect in all aspects, despite difference in opinions, preferences, values, and morale among the individuals.

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey’s devastating landfall in Texas, The New York Foundling felt compelled to help.

 

As a social services organization dedicated to aiding our society’s most vulnerable community members, we feel it’s an extension of our mission to reach a helping hand to those suffering nearby in Texas.

 

The New York Foundling’s leadership is directing a total of $15,000 in funding to two charitable organizations aiding in the relief effort: Texas Diaper Bank, which supports children and families, and Portlight Strategies, which supports individuals with disabilities.

 

Additionally, The Foundling’s Evidence-Based Programs are leading an effort to help in the Houston recovery by partnering directly with Houston-based retailer Gallery Furniture, which has turned its stores into shelters for those displaced by the storm.

 

In the past, The New York Foundling has directed funding to other charitable organizations during natural disasters, including the typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines, the earthquake in Haiti and Hurricane Katrina.