ASC 2023 Program Statistics

Sleep-away camp is an extremely impactful experience for children of all ages. Aside from giving them some much-needed time to unplug from electronics, it offers opportunities and challenges that enhance a child’s physical, intellectual, emotional and social skills. Campers learn how to work better with others, build meaningful relationships and develop their decision-making skills. In turn, these skills help promote independence and self-confidence.

In response to ASC’s summer 2023 Member Satisfaction Survey:

• 97 percent of children said they liked or loved their camp experience.
• When given the opportunity to leave more personalized feedback, members said:
• “It was a wonderful experience for my son. He loved every second of being there. He can’t wait to go back next year!”
• “My daughter waits all year for the possibility to be accepted into this program, and it has helped her socially and emotionally. This is her best part of summer.”
• “My daughter struggles with social anxiety and making new friends. She was very worried and did not want to go to camp. After she arrived, she easily made friends and even asked the camp to send me an email for her to extend her stay. She has already made plans with her fellow campers to return next year for the same session.”
• “My child is more confident about himself and has no problem making new friends since he has been going to the sleep-away camp … Thank you for helping my two sons be more confident about themselves, learn new skills and improve on any activities they have interest in.”
• 96 percent of members reported they are likely to apply again.
• And 97 percent of members said they are likely to recommend the program to another member.

FALC Olympic/Field Day!

Among our seven classrooms, FALC Preschool and Pre-K teachers of students ages 2 to 5 spent a month collaborating and planning for an epic outdoor FALC Olympics/Field Day, filled with creative, rigorous gross motor activities and meaningful learning experiences for all FALC children. On Friday, June 17, 2022, teachers brought props, supplies and equipment, such as hula hoops, balls, balance beams, mats and poly spots to transform the tennis courts of St. James Park into a colorful sports arena. This well-orchestrated event was our last center-wide hurrah before the end of the school year.

Each class chose up to two activities to put the children’s skill sets and creativity to the test in a healthy competition in which all were winners! Each class got suited up in bright t-shirts, decorative accessories and/or face paint reflective of a specific color of the rainbow to represent their individual class team. Mr. Kenya kicked off the festivities with a toot of his whistle as teachers did a mock run of the obstacle course, modeling each activity that the children would complete, which were similar to the exercises that they have routinely done in class.

The outdoor experience electrified the staff and children, as they eagerly cheered and laughed while jumping, running and hopping through obstacle courses and using spray bottles in relay races. The staff guided and supported children as they balanced on beams, shot basketballs into a hoop and ran the length of the tennis court. Due to the hot weather, children were given water to stay hydrated and spray bottles to cool off, resulting in some well-received “water spritz fights.” At the closing of the FALC Olympics/Field Day, all of the classrooms joined together to create a grand rainbow portrait and received medals for a job well done. Everyone had an awesome time but were understandably looking forward to returning to the comfort of the air-conditioned Center. This event will surely become a staple of our FALC annual activities based on the successful participation and response.

Youth Mentoring and Teen Programs Help Children Explore Interests and Prepare for Academic Success

• The Youth Mentoring Program (YMP) continues to provide teenage children of 1199SEIU members with work and learning opportunities to boost their professional development skills. For the first time since 2019, all participants were on site and worked in person.
• In 2023, 171 1199SEIU youth were selected to participate in the YMP. The program offers a six-week hybrid summer employment opportunity at participating nursing home facilities and healthcare institutions across New York City. Interns built educational and on-the job competencies throughout the program, helping to prepare them for careers in healthcare and beyond.
• Interns completed projects on health-related topics and presented at the YMP closing ceremony, held at the end of the summer. Project topics included mental health, nutrition, exercise and positive body image. Abigail Thomas, who worked at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, and Ernissa St. Louis, who worked at Isabella Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care, were selected as this year’s cohort representative speakers for their professionalism and outstanding work ethic.

SAT Prep Program

The SAT Prep Program was split into two sessions, running for 18 weeks on Saturdays during the spring and fall semesters. With specialized workshops covering topics including College Essay Writing, the Common Application and Test-Taking Anxiety, students gained in-depth insights into the college admissions process.

Highlights

• Overall, practice test composite scores improved an average of 107 points.
• Four students had an average improvement of 300 points or greater.
• The highest overall practice score reported in 2023 was 1560.
• The highest practice test composite score improvement class was Class 10, with an improvement average of 335 points.

A Message from Rossmery Dais

I hope that you are enjoying the seasons’ change and the spirit of renewal that spring brings. Spring is also a time for us here at the 1199SEIU Child Care Funds and Corporation to look back at all the wonderful things we have accomplished and to look forward to the start of the busy summer program season.

Our team understands the challenges of managing work and family life, including accessing affordable, quality child-care and youth programs. Our organization was founded on the notion that if working parents are not worried about their children’s care, they can better focus on their work. This is especially true for the important work of our everyday healthcare heroes.

This past year we celebrated 30 years of the 1199SEIU Child Care Funds. For three decades we have provided quality services to over 400,000 children and families. We look forward to continuing our mission of helping working families access quality and affordable child-care and youth programs for many more! As we move forward with the worst of COVID-19 behind us, we remain committed to providing your families with nurturing and enriching child-care programs and resources in this new day and age.

In this newsletter you will find informative articles about our programs, including how we’re engaging our youth through WorkForce 2000 and the Youth Mentoring Program and helping them create memories with the Holiday Sleep-away Camp Program. You’ll also see what our younger learners are up to at the Future of America Learning Center in the Bronx with a look at this year’s 27th Annual Science Fair. We were also back in person for our 15th Annual Care for Kids Gala this past December and had our work featured in a Fortune.com podcast.

I hope you find the contents of this newsletter valuable, and I look forward to continuing our mission of providing quality, affordable child-care benefits, programs and services to our working families.

Sincerely,

Rossmery Dais

Executive Director, 1199SEIU Child Care Funds

President, 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation

FALC Pre-K for All Culmination (2021-2022 School Year)

Future of America Learning Center (FALC) has exposed children to different types of professions and fields of work in their well-prepared learning stations with authentic tools and equipment, in the rich dynamic of their classroom relationships and interactions, and in the thoughtful videos shared by families while “on the job” that inspire, intrigue, challenge and elicit joy and satisfaction. These experiences not only show them that working can be fun and rewarding, but also scaffold their learning and solidify an action plan and goal of “When I Grow Up, I Want to Be…”

On Monday, June 27, 2022, FALC proudly celebrated the highly anticipated culmination for our 60 students of the three Pre-K classrooms, UPK 1, UPK 2 and UPK 3. Children were physically present in the classrooms with their teachers during the procession, while parents, family, guests, FALC preschoolers and other supporters cheered them on from home, school and/or work via Zoom. Children partied in class with their peers and teachers and had an early pick-up to continue their celebration with their families and friends. This was the second FALC culmination presented in a blended way, as we are still navigating the effects of the health crisis with unexpected classroom closures and/or applicable quarantine periods with a reversion to remote learning. Despite this challenge, in every Pre-K classroom, the children were visibly proud, engaged and joyful in their time to shine individually and as a classroom community.

Each classroom’s culmination event included a medley of activities, tributes and slideshows reflecting the school year. Among the Pre-K classrooms, the children presented a lively showcase of song, dance and declaration of their career goals of “When I Grow Up, I Want to Be…” to their families, friends, teachers and 1199SEIU Family of Funds staff. Children and staff supported and encouraged the students who needed a helping hand or further moral support in their presentations. Parents, teachers and leadership expressed warm memories, thoughtful sentiments, positive anecdotes and heartfelt testimonials about their FALC experience and personal aspirations for the children.

In the 2021-2022 school year, our FALC children and staff continued to showcase initiative, compassion, inquisitiveness, preparedness, shared responsibility and, last not but least, resilience. It is a blessing to see, feel and know that FALC has helped nurture seeds of progressive thought and change by making real and solid connections. We are confident that our FALC Scholars have had a strong academic foundation and experience, nurturing socio-emotional support and a substantial value system to soar and achieve their dreams.

In Their Own Words: Kristina Beckford – Pre-RN Program Student

My mom, Andrea Beckford, who is a Registered Nurse at Brookdale Hospital was ecstatic to be able to get me involved in the academic program. During my freshman year of high school, I attended an in-person informational session and had an interview for the program. Not long after the major shutdown due to COVID, I took online classes, such as Algebra 2, Performing Arts and U.S. History, but my favorite was Social Justice. In this class I learned about topics like redlining and abortion. I could say the same for all teachers, being that every staff member’s top priority was to ensure that all students wanted to participate in the class.

Toward the end of my sophomore year, I interviewed to be a part of the Pre-Registered Nursing Program, which was an unconventional process. All applicants attending a Zoom call had to answer prompts in a group setting, we were quizzed on a lesson regarding burns and lesions, and we had to write a short essay on where we see ourselves professionally in the future. After being accepted, I did not fully comprehend the commitment that this program demanded. While attending online classes, the program prepared me for what college would be like, with lectures from Dr. Blake, writing research papers, taking anatomy and physiology classes, and learning how to cite using APA. Through analyzing case studies and answering practice National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) questions, we learned about the nursing profession and hospital environment.

It was not until I got into the Pre-RN Program that I also had access to a network of resources like a college advisor, scholarships and the ability to network with alumni from the program and professionals who want to help the next generation of healthcare providers. I have been asked about my plans for the future many times since navigating the college application process. I can confidently say that I will strive to become an educator and a mentor in my future career. I will pursue a healthcare career as most of the college majors I have applied for are Nursing, Biology and Biomedical Engineering. The next step is deciding which college I will attend by the end of April to earn a Bachelor’s degree and further my career.

Students Go for the Gold at the 2022 FALC Olympics/Field Day

Among our seven classrooms, FALC Preschool and Pre-K teachers of students ages 2 to 5 spent a month collaborating and planning for an epic outdoor FALC Olympics/Field Day, filled with creative, rigorous gross motor activities and meaningful learning experiences for all FALC children. On Friday, June 17, 2022, teachers brought props, supplies and equipment, such as hula hoops, balls, balance beams, mats and poly spots to transform the tennis courts of St. James Park into a colorful sports arena. This well-orchestrated event was our last center-wide hurrah before the end of the school year.

Each class chose up to two activities to put the children’s skill sets and creativity to the test in a healthy competition in which all were winners! Each class got suited up in bright t-shirts, decorative accessories and/or face paint reflective of a specific color of the rainbow to represent their individual class team. Mr. Kenya kicked off the festivities with a toot of his whistle as teachers did a mock run of the obstacle course, modeling each activity that the children would complete, which were similar to the exercises that they have routinely done in class.

The outdoor experience electrified the staff and children, as they eagerly cheered and laughed while jumping, running and hopping through obstacle courses and using spray bottles in relay races. The staff guided and supported children as they balanced on beams, shot basketballs into a hoop and ran the length of the tennis court. Due to the hot weather, children were given water to stay hydrated and spray bottles to cool off, resulting in some well-received “water spritz fights.” At the closing of the FALC Olympics/Field Day, all of the classrooms joined together to create a grand rainbow portrait and received medals for a job well done. Everyone had an awesome time but were understandably looking forward to returning to the comfort of the air-conditioned Center. This event will surely become a staple of our FALC annual activities based on the successful participation and response.

Students Experience Outdoor Adventure at Holiday and Teen Holiday Sleep-Away Program

The Holiday Sleep-Away Program (HSAP) and the Teen Holiday Sleep-Away Program (T-HSAP) took place in February 2023, at Hands in 4 Youth (the home of Camp Vacamas) in West Milford, NJ. Seventy-four youth attended HSAP and 63 teens attended the camp, which included activities like making s’mores around the camp fire, high and low rope challenge courses, maple syruping, movie nights, debate, robotics, archery, games, team sports, hiking, outdoor recreation, nature exploration and big brother/sister mentorship activities with the HSAP participants.

The HSAP and the T-HSAP offer fun and educational experiences during the winter and spring breaks from school. HSAP serves youth ages 8 to 12, engaging kids in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) activities, arts and crafts and nature exploration to help nurture personal development and academic enrichment. T-HSAP provides teens ages 13 to 17 opportunities to build leadership skills and participate in team-building experiences including sports and games, debate and outdoor recreation.

The HSAP and T-HSAP Winter Session Satisfaction Survey was emailed to members on March 3, 2023.

• There was a 38% response rate and members said:



• Their child liked/loved his/her camp experience (96%).
• It’s likely/extremely likely they will apply for the program again (89%).
• Some member testimonials:
• “My child couldn’t stop talking when she got back, she was talking about everything with a smile on her face. And that makes me happy.”
• “We are extremely grateful to everyone who made this experience a great one. For helping stay calm and to put our fears and anxieties aside. Now we camper and parent can reassure others that the best thing is to give it a try. Thanks so much 1199SEIU HSAP and Hands In 4 Youth.”
• “My child came home and immediately shared how much she loved everything about Hands in 4 Youth. I know my child and when she loves something she will go on and on about it until the next time. She is impatiently awaiting to return in April for the spring session. She’s made new friends and talks to them daily. Thank you!”
• Ninety-four of the Winter Session attendees were expected to return for the spring session, which ran from April 10-14.