Partnership in Action: Inspiration and Networking  

Many of The Fresh Air Fund’s community partners recently gathered at The Fund’s midtown office to learn more about summer 2025 programs and share ideas for recruitment and outreach.  

The Fund’s partners shared their motivation to provide more New York City children with the opportunity to attend free summer sleepaway camp. They also shared excitement about The Fund’s programs and their hopes and aspirations for the communities they serve.  

Gina Zarate, The Bronx District Attorney’s Office 

Gina Zarate, Child and Family Advocate at the Bronx District Attorney’s office, is eager to connect children living in the Bronx with opportunities to broaden their horizons and try new things. “I got to visit Camp Junior. I also got to visit the other camps. To me, experiencing it myself, I can explain to families exactly what I saw, and what the kids do,” Gina said.  “I’m working with children that have never experienced anything like that and maybe a park is the only greenery they’ve seen.”

Donald Thames, New York City Department of Education

Donald Thames is a Community Associate at the New York City Department of Education and a Fresh Air Fund alum. Today, he works with Bronx families and has seen firsthand what it’s like for children who don’t have the resources to explore beyond their homes or communities. 

“I’m looking forward to this partnership and helping parents really understand how the program works, that there are background checks for camp staff, and encouraging parents to be open to allowing their kids to explore and experience camp,” said Donald. 

Wendy Dominguez, Blue Cross Blue Shield 

“There are a lot of young people that aren’t doing anything during the summer. And we want to make sure we have opportunities for them, especially an opportunity that’s completely free,” said Wendy Dominguez, a Blue Cross Blue Shield Community Outreach Manager.  Wendy’s personal connection to The Fresh Air Fund is what makes her passionate about the work.  “Through The Fresh Air Fund, my nephew was introduced to outdoor activities, like fishing and swimming, he couldn’t do in the city, and it just changed his life. And I think that’s what’s important: changing people’s lives.”  

Diana Rios, Transition and College Assets Centers 

Diana Rios works with students with disabilities at Transitions and College Access Centers. “We want to bring more access to the community and also have the underserved families that we work with, in my case on Staten Island, be able to know what’s out there for them.” 

Lisa Jackson, SCAN-Harbor

“I work at SCAN-Harbor, and we serve at-risk youth in East Harlem and the South Bronx,“ said Lisa Jackson, who was introduced to The Fresh Air Fund fifteen years ago. “Some of our kids don’t get that opportunity to leave their neighborhood. But, with agencies like Fresh Air Fund, giving our kids the opportunity to go outside the city to experience wildlife and nature, it’s an amazing experience for our families.” 

The event provided space for partners to network, learn and grow with one another as they work to create meaningful experiences for the communities they serve. Lisa shared “I’ve been helping families apply for The Fund’s summer camps for years, to the point where now, The Fresh Air Fund is like family to us.” 

Thank you to all our community partners for their dedication to providing New York City children with transformative experiences in the outdoors. 

Are you interested in becoming a community partner with The Fresh Air Fund? Learn more about partnerships here.