Support 7 Weeks of Full-Day Summer at CAMP IMANI

Greetings Team Imani!

If you are reading this for the very first time, I want to nominate you for TEAM IMANI automatically! Welcome to all new team members and all our past supporters who have been so supportive throughout the winter months. Thank you for thinking of the kids we serve!

Spring is in the air as the wintry weather makes its last sweep across the country, and everyone is looking with anticipation for the warmer weather on the horizon. Summer seems far off, but it may already be too late in some settings when selecting a summer camp for your child in NYC.

Imani House is already preparing staff and volunteers for another successful camp campaign! Our programs during the school year and the summer are for working families and those struggling on the lower end of the economic ladder.

Online Enrollment Applications opened in early March and closed on 25th March! Unfortunately, the IMANI HOUSE had no control over this. IHI has always prided itself on automatically guaranteeing our working parents a space in our summer camp program if they have had their child enrolled in our afterschool Program at PS 282. However, we are in our second year of the new Summer Rising format rolled out by DYDC last year.

Summer Rising 2024 is a partnership between New York City Public Schools and the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). Summer Rising is free and available to all NYC students in grades K-8, but the cut-off is at 10,000 students. With over 600,000 elementary school children in NYC public schools, you can see how difficult it is for underserved communities to benefit from the Summer Rising program. Ten thousand two hundred slots available is merely a drop in the ocean. And of those ten thousand spaces,Imani House has only allocated funds to accept 120 students, and we have over 500 parents who have selected Imani House for their children to attend. So we are preparing as we always do for a summer of exciting trips, Performance Arts  & Dance, Athletics, Music, Leadership, Academic Enrichment, Gardening and Field Trips

Parents had to go online to make the summer application. The portal was opened on a first come, first served bases. So many of our parents missed out on the opportunities, and many who could submit their application on time may still have their child assigned to their second or third-choice Program selected. Maybe this location will be across town from your residence. Imagine the logistical problems this causes for a parent.

Despite all the short comings of the Summer Rising, IMANI HOUSE will do what we have always done, take the little. Even though school is out for elementary school children, that doesn't mean parents have the summer off, too! Your child will enjoy summer like it should be - with fun, exciting day trips, new friendships, and spontaneous shenanigans. And while you're at it, give yourself a break by choosing a summer camp that works for our student's parents. With extended hours, meal plans, and a parent -counselor leadership, IMANI HOUSE  will have your children connected and covered! See you during the summer for our next report !

Links:

• Youth Development Page