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Health & Fitness

Perrin Family Foundation Helps Send Stamford Kids to Camp

Perrin Family Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to Person-to-Person in support of the agency's Summer Campership Program.

Perrin Family Foundation Helps Send Stamford Kids to Camp, $10,000 Grant Supports Person-to-Person Campership Program Geared to Low-Income Families 

As part of its strategic commitment to assist young people in under-resourced communities, Perrin Family Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to Person-to-Person in support of the agency’s Summer Campership Program . P2P’s initiative enables Stamford children from low-income families an otherwise unreachable option -- for their children to be engaged in a safe, supervised, enriching  summer experience.

The Person-to-Person Campership program is available to Stamford public school students who receive free school meals under the National School Lunch Program. In the 2012-2013 academic year, a student from a family of four with income at or below $29,965 per year qualifies for free school lunches. More than 1/3 of children in Stamford public schools are receiving free school meals.

“The Campership Award from Perrin Family Foundation and other Campership supporters is critical to combating these staggering statistics,” said Ceci Maher, Executive Director of P2P. “ The escalating rate of need in Stamford for free lunches demonstrates just how difficult the summer months will be for families. Without the availability of low cost lunches every day, families will experience a greater strain on their budgets.”

In addition to the financial assistance that a sponsored summer camp experience can provide for low-income families, there is the overwhelming benefit to the campers.

“Summer camp is a positive youth development opportunity for children,” says Marina Thomas, Director of Social Services at Person-to-Person.  “For children from low-income families particularly, it is a time which widens the achievement gap between these students and their middle-class peers. Through diverse educational and recreational activities, camp can be a very positive experience in developing trusted relationships with counselors and peers, practicing English language skills, and experiencing outdoor exploration, all of which can inspire learning beyond the classroom.”

Working with school social workers, camp directors and staff, Person-to-Person has partnered with 15 different local day camps throughout the area for Summer 2013. The average number of students able to attend camp through P2P’s program is 570 children. Most of the participating camps also offer summer school on-site or compatibility with a summer school schedule for those who require academic support,  and guarantee of outdoor play and participation in sports for those children who live in risky, unsafe neighborhoods.


Fast Facts About P2P Campership:

  • Camp programs typically run from the last week of June – 2nd week of August
  • Camp participation is by referral only – via school social workers and counselors
  • 93% of camps offer summer school onsite, or are compatible with summer school schedules
  • Nearly all 15 participating camps are located in Stamford
  • Free meals are available at several camp locations
  • Activities include: baseball, basketball, swimming, dancing, field trips, arts and crafts, and more
  • 3-day registration event to be held in April; ongoing registration is available as space permits

 

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About Person-to-Person
For nearly 45 years, Person-to-Person has provided emergency assistance to low-income individuals and families residing in Lower Fairfield County, Connecticut. Having recently merged with CCA, the agency has facilities in Darien and in Norwalk and serves residents living throughout Lower Fairfield County. In 2012 the two agencies collectively provided 260,000 meals, served nearly 22,000 people, provided emergency financial assistance to 992 families, collected and distributed more than 60,000 bags of free clothing, sent 589 students to camp and provided 164 students with scholarships for college. Person-to-Person is a volunteer-driven, community-supported agency which, through a sharing of goods and talents, responds to individuals and families who lack basic necessities or resources to improve their lives. For more information contact P2P at 203-655-0048.

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