Maddox is learning (and having fun) this summer!

Maddox (far right) is a middle schooler and has been enrolled in our program for over 6 years.  Like all of the children invited into Friends of the Children NY, he was a kindergartener living in Harlem who was facing a number of risk factors. Maddox  had sporadic school attendance, poor work habits, and low academic performance. Meetings with school teachers and counselors confirmed that he was a child at risk.

Once enrolled in our program, Maddox was paired with a full time, paid Youth Advocate (or “Friend”) who spent time with him in and out of the classroom each week. Over the years, the Friend demonstrated positive socialization skills and engaged him in activities to promote his social, emotional, and academic growth.  Because Maddox was living in an unstable and disruptive home life, our in-house Social Worker advocated to place him into a boarding school.  He is thriving there, is much more focused on schoolwork, and has made many friends.

This summer, while back in Harlem, Maddox is spending time with his Friend again while also attending our academic summer camp to get him 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 Maddox reaches high school.

Thanks to your donation, Maddox and children like him are able to enjoy the summer while also working on academics! Our summer classroom is stocked with activities that are both fun and challening for him.  We are thrilled that he will return to boarding school with a stronger academic base–his caring and outgoing nature ensures that Maddox has a bright future ahead!