Second Annual ‘Stay FOCUSed’ Summer Reading Challenge

Post written by our Developmental Disabilities Division staff

 

Youth and families involved in The New York Foundling’s Developmental Disabilities Division FOCUS Community Habilitation Program participated in the Stay FOCUSed: Summer Reading Challenge.

 

This summer, 26 youth received their own personal reading log and a package of age-appropriate books to read over the summer. The challenge was intended to help combat summer learning loss and to instill a love of reading for fun. This summer was the second annual challenge.

 

To celebrate the end of the summer reading program and to prepare for a new school year, each youth was awarded a New York Foundling book bag filled with many of the supplies requested by the NYC schools for the classroom. The Developmental Disabilities Division Administrative team helped to fill the bags with crayons, notebooks, folders, pencils, tissues, markers, and a $25 Staples gift card to help purchase additional supplies of their choosing.

 

In addition, Mia, the Educational Advocate for the Developmental Disabilities Division, created a folder filled with back-to-school tips for both the youth and caregiver, covering topics such as transportation, homework, and effective communication to help families have a positive start to the school year.

 

Special shout-out to this year’s winner!

 

We would like to recognize one of our participants and this year’s challenge winner, Fernando (pictured above), for reading 55 hours this summer!