Sabrina at the Natural History Museum!

Sabrina is a middle schooler and has been enrolled in the Friends of the Children New York program for 5 years. Like all of the children invited into the program, she was a kindergartener living in Harlem who faced a number of risk factors: she demonstrated aggressive behavior with teachers and adults, poor work habits, and low academic performance.

Once enrolled in the program, Sabrina was paired with a full time, paid Youth Advocate (the “Friend”) who spent time with her in and out of the classroom each week. Over the years, the Friend has visited her in and outside of the classroom while continually engaging her in activities to promote her social, emotional, and academic growth. Friends of the Children has made a 12 year commitment to Sabrina and will help guide her throughout this time period.

This summer, Sabrina is spending time in an Academic Summer Camp while also continuing to spend time with her Friend. The objective of this camp is to get Sabrina up-to-speed with basic literacy skills. Studies consistently indicate that children who are not reading at grade level by the time they reach the third grade will be perpetually behind later in life; it is essential that this gap is closed now before Sabrina reaches high school.

On Fridays, as a part of this camp, Sabrina breaks from the math and reading exercises in order to participate in an adventure outing. This past week, Sabrina and other children had the opportunity to go to visit the aquarium in Brooklyn. Other outings have included the Bronx Zoo and the American Museum of Natural History.

Thanks to your donation, Sabrina and children like her are able to enjoy the summer while also working on academics; they will return to school with a much stronger academic base. Your generosity has redefined Sabrina’s life. She will not slip through the cracks like so many other children in her neighborhood.

Thanks you all for your generosity!