Greetings!

This summer, HFH Summer Camps welcomed campers back to Camp Wakonda for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students at HFH family residences also enjoyed the summer hiatus with Summer Day Camp at all our sites—exercising their bodies and minds through dance with DMF Youth and creative writing with Writopia. Kids also dug into their on-site gardens, entered into friendly competition with track & field, and Saratoga's Rosedale Little League team took a trip to the big leagues. Williamsbridge Daycare received a visit from special guest Sparky the Fire Dog of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Over at Allie's Place, we are pleased to announce that our Early Childhood Education Center is now open and thriving, and the Culinary Center continues job-training for all HFH residents and community members and debuted Allie's Place Farmers' Market with fresh produce from the on-site garden. Students also geared up for Back to School with new backpacks and school supplies. The Policy & Research team recently published a snapshot on families at HFH who are trapped in "conditional status." In our next newsletter, we will share updates and photos from fall programming.
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A Spectacular Leap Back into HFH Summer Camps
HFH Summer Camps welcomed nearly 70 campers, ages 8-11, over two sessions this past summer. Some lucky campers attended both sessions. Campers explored the great outdoors at Camp Wakonda in Harriman State Park with activities like swimming, outdoor games, and fishing. Each session's finale featured a Carnival with face painting, food stands, and a dunk tank. A huge shoutout to our amazing HFH Summer Camps team for making it all possible.
Learning, Playing, Growing with Summer Day Camp
The Summer Day Camp crew at Prospect and Allie's Place were movin’ and groovin’ all summer with DMF Youth. In these sessions, kids learned dance steps and practiced a growth mindset by writing positive affirmations in their journals. Prospect kids pivoted into a bit of friendly competition during track and field where competitors tried their hand at activities such as horseshoes, a ring toss, and the long jump.

The Saratoga kids carefully tended their garden all summer and harvested zucchini, bell peppers, and dozens of tomatoes while Allie’s Place Green Thumbs learned how to tell when produce is ripe and ready for picking, fostering a connection between themselves and nature. Saratoga's Little League team slid into the big leagues with a Mets game, courtesy of KidCare.

Summer Day Camp kids were able to spend a lot of time outdoors while also maintaining mental agility for the upcoming school year through creative writing workshops with Writopia, "Morning Math," and diving into new cultures through lessons, food, and drinks.
Furry Friends—From Ferrets to Sparky the Fire Dog—Make Their Way to Early Ed Centers
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) stopped by Williamsbridge Daycare to teach the kids and their families about fire safety. They learned what to do in case of a fire from Sparky the Fire Dog, and practiced their stop, drop, and roll.

Early Childhood Education kids at Prospect received a visit from a few furry and feathered friends from Greenburgh Nature Center. The kids learned about animals and their environments—including ferrets, snakes, and chinchillas—and were excited for the opportunity to ask questions and pet the little critters.

Allie's Place Early Child Education Center opened this summer and is entering its first fall semester, offering 3-K and Pre-K to residents and youngsters from the Soundview community. To learn more about the fall program, visit HFHnyc.org/APECEC.
Allie's Place Center for Culinary Education & Employment Debuts Farmers' Market
Throughout the summer, Allie's Place Center for Culinary Education & Employment incorporated fresh vegetables, fruit, and herbs from the Garden at Allie's Place into Farm to Table workshops and debuted Allie's Place Farmers' Market. Students at these workshops and other job-training courses include HFH residents as well as residents from the broader Soundview community. Visit: HFHnyc.org/culinary, to register for upcoming Open Houses hosted by the Center. Help spread the word!
Students Gear Up for Back to School with Donations from KidCare & Volunteers of America
With the school year upon us, KidCare donated essential school supplies—from backpacks and lunch boxes to calculators and folders—for students. Volunteers of America also joined in with backpacks for K-12th graders at HFH family residences.
Employee Spotlight on Anthony Garcia
“He is delightful. He’s pleasant when speaking with people—employees and clients ... When you see him, you know Anthony’s going to put a smile on your face just by saying ‘good morning.’”

— Marisol Santiago, Administrator at Prospect Family Residence
Snapshot: Families at HFH Trapped in
Conditional Status
HFH’s latest snapshot examines the application process for shelter eligibility. When applying for shelter, clients are in "conditional status." Nearly a fourth of clients are in conditional status at any time, and many remain in this limbo, reapplying for eligibility, for months.
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As always, our work wouldn't be possible without the staff, partners, volunteers, and supporters who ensure that Homes for the Homeless can continue to provide support for over 725 children and their families.
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