May 22, 2025 Category: Our Programs Fresh Air Fun

Congratulations to our 2025 College Connections Program Graduates

Celebrating Bright Futures

We are so excited for the newest graduates of the College Connections Program (CCP) as they embark on a future of pursuing their passions and achieving their dreams. CCP offers 10th through 12th grade students mentoring, workshops, SAT prep, college tours and other resources to help them apply to and successfully transition to college or other post-secondary options.

We are proud to recognize all the hard work of our CCP students and to celebrate this incredible milestone!

Bentley Gordon gives a speech to his students. — **Bentley Gordon, CCP Director, gave an inspiring speech. (Tiye Rose/The Fresh Air Fund)**

Bentley Gordon, Director of CCP and Camp Hayden-Marks, encouraged students to pair their resilience with opportunity as they move towards the futures they envision for themselves.

“In a city like New York, opportunities are everywhere. But so are distractions, challenges, and reasons to hesitate,” Bentley said to this year’s graduates. “Be the person who leans in, who dares to be bold, and who understands that every setback carries with it a lesson, and every open door is a chance to elevate yourself both personally and professionally. And through it all, remember, you are never walking this road alone.”

CCP’s Impact

Danny, College Connections Program graduate, holding up his certificate of completion. — **Danny has attended Fresh Air Fund programs since 2016. (Tiye Rose/The Fresh Air Fund)**

Danny, 17, said his biggest takeaway from CCP is learning that college is not as daunting as it seems. He aspires to pursue a career in marketing and hopes to get a master’s in business administration by age 21. “At first, I was kind of nervous because I didn’t really know anybody. But once I was put into a group, everybody was so kind and welcoming, and I think that was what made me want to come back every single week,” said Danny.

Michel and his sister Imani, CCP graduates. — **Michel and his sister Imani who also graduated from CCP. (Tiye Rose/The Fresh Air Fund)**

For Michel, 17, a Camp Mariah and Friendly Towns alum, the skills he gained at camp and CCP helped shape and strengthen his plans for the future. “I’m proud of every experience I went through,” Michel said. “My biggest takeaway is that trying new things can lead to better benefits in life.”

Michel’s sister Imani attended the graduation to show support for her brother. An alum of Camp Mariah, she went on to study film and television at Howard University and credits CCP with teaching her how to network and build meaningful relationships. “At CCP, you meet so many students with different majors and talents,” she shared. It’s important to keep in touch with these people, because it’s always good to make connections and network.”

**At the ceremony, Eric gave a heartfelt speech to his fellow graduates. (Tiye Rose/The Fresh Air Fund)**

Eric, 18, and a Camp Hayden-Marks alum, spoke about the many ways CCP boosted his confidence and encouraged him to take vital steps towards applying for college. Eric is excited to attend Hunter College and major in Biology! “Today, I want to share how this organization changed my life—and why its mission matters for all of us,” said Eric. “The Fresh Air Fund isn’t just trips and campfires. It’s a reminder that every child deserves space to breathe, grow, and dream.”

“The Fresh Air Fund gave me more than memories. It gave me a second home, a stronger voice, and the belief that no matter where you start, there’s always room to grow.”