Through the Brighter Futures program, children in need will enjoy, “a stimulating and recreational environment, where they can escape from their problems and the stigma of poverty, and simply be kids.”
The fundraising initiative at White Plains Hospital was spearheaded by nursing staff and conducted in celebration of National Nurses Week. “We are thrilled that we raised more than three times our initial goal for this wonderful program. Thanks to the hard work of our nursing colleagues and the generosity of the White Plains Hospital family, 17 children will enjoy the camp experience,” said Andrea LaCourciere, RN, Surgical Services Educator at the Hospital.
According to Lifting Up Westchester, the Brighter Futures Summer Day Camp has been in existence since 1976, providing an enriching recreational program for a five-week period in July and August. The camp serves up to 100 homeless and disadvantaged children ages 5 to 13. A typical day at camp includes swimming, tennis lessons, games, arts & crafts, music and a reading and writing activity. A pizza party and weekly awards ceremony are held every Friday to reinforce and build campers sense of achievement and self-esteem. The schedule also includes academic and literacy enrichment activities so that children don’t backslide in their academic skills during the summer.