Celebrating Special Memories from 2021
In 2021, we saw Fresh Air kids reach for the stars and unlock their limitless potential through in-person and virtual programs that allowed them to stay connected to the outdoors, make friends, learn new skills and have fun!
Before we embark on the new year, our Fresh Air community looked back and reflected on some of the most memorable moments in 2021!
January: Check Out what Books Fresh Air Kids are Reading!
Fresh Air kids started 2021 by sharing their favorite books and encouraging all the members of our Fresh Air family to join them on new reading adventures! Through multiple Fresh Air book clubs like the Friendly Town’s bookworm program, The Fund has helped keep kids engaged and excited about reading! Check out some of our favorite books Fresh Air kids have read this year!
February: The Young Women’s Giving Circle Meets Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz
The Fresh Air Fund’s Young Women’s Giving Circle (YWGC), a group of teen leaders who participate in a youth-led program to learn about philanthropy and community service, welcomed Assemblywomen Catalina Cruz as their guest speaker. Cruz shared her personal story and provided encouragement with great advice and tips on the importance of staying positive.
March: Celebrating Women’s History
March is Women’s History Month! This year, the Fresh Air Family shared their SHEro’s – the women who continue to propel our communities forward and inspire us to do better. A SHEro can be any women in your life who advocates for others and is a leader. Learn more about our Fresh Air Shero’s here!
April: Ocean Alliance and the SnotBot
As part of The Fresh Air Fund’s Career Awareness Program, Job Shadowings are a great opportunity for students to explore different career paths based on their interests. In partnership with Ocean Alliance, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving marine life, The Fund hosted a three-part Job Shadowing workshop series that taught Fresh Air kids about the environment and introduced them to the SnotBot technology. Learn more about the SnotBot workshops.
May: South Bronx Youth Track Club – Staying active with The Fresh Air Fund!
In partnership with On Running, the South Bronx Youth Track Club was created to empower kids through running. As Camp Junior children and families had been impacted by the pandemic, The Fresh Air Fund and On Running created this new year-round program to keep the teens connected and spend time outdoors. Read more about how Camp Junior continues to empower Bronx youth!
June: Welcome Fresh Air Summer 2021!
At Fresh Air, we have FUN all summer long! We love hiking, laughing with our friends, learning new things together and exploring the outdoors!
July: Portrait of Summer
At The Fresh Air Fund, we LOVE SUMMER! This year, we launched a community art project, #PortraitofSummer, asking Fresh Air kids to share what summer means to them! Check out the full digital art gallery here!
August: Teens Visit the Union Square Green Market
As part of our Summer Teen Academy credentialing program and in partnership with Youthful Savings, the Teen Entrepreneur Program focuses on financial literacy and basic business concepts, including how to make investments and how to market their business. This summer, Fresh Air Teens visited the Union Square Green Market where Jennifer Falk of the Union Square Partnership shared words of advice about how to build partnerships and run a business, while giving back and supporting the community.
September: College Connections Program
The Fresh Air Fund’s College Connections Program (CCP) is designed to support high school students from 10th to 12th grade as they explore college requirements, apply for applications, scholarships, and much more. Through a mentorship program, financial literacy workshops, college spotlights, and SAT prep, The Fresh Air Fund continues to support CCP students all the way until college graduation. Learn more about CCP and meet two of our CCP students!
October: Celebrating 145 Summers
To celebrate 145 years of sharing the magic of summer with NYC children, The Fresh Air Fund invited Fresh Air teens, Ralph and Olivia, to share their Fresh Air journeys and their summer 2021 experiences. We were so inspired by their stories and the impact Fresh Air had on each of them.
November: Congratulations to the NYC Marathon Runners!
The TCS New York City Marathon is back this year! Congratulations to everyone who ran the marathon and a special Fresh Air thank you to the athletes who ran for The Fresh Air Fund! We are so proud of you!
December: The Fund’s Tutoring Program
“Pritika also helps me study for my tests. Our tutoring sessions are informative and we get to review the materials for the test. I noticed that tutoring is helping me do well and pass my classes.” – Fresh Air Student, Ibraheem
Meet Fresh Air student, Ibraheem, and his volunteer tutor, Pritika! Ibraheem’s favorite subject is math and he hopes to one day work as an engineer or in the field of computer science.
Read more about Ibraheem and The Fund’s Tutoring Program!
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