Carnival Night for Kids Hosted by Coalition for The Homeless

Written by Carol Cain on 01 June 2011

Homelessness in New York City has reached record levels. More than 16,000 children have no place to call home tonight. The dearth of affordable housing coupled with chronic joblessness has pushed these thousands into the public shelter system with little hope of finding a way out. The lack of stability that children in homeless families face is particularly difficult. Many show symptoms of withdrawal and depression, while others struggle to focus in school and feel isolated from their peers.

For over 25 years, the Coalition for the Homeless has given homeless kids the chance to escape the crowded shelters and sweltering city streets at Camp Homeward Bound in Harriman State Park. During one of three sessions, campers enjoy arts and crafts, swimming, music, and also learn cooking and computer skills. For them, it is a time to have fun and forget the stress and insecurity of shelter life. The new skills they learn help improve their self-esteem and confidence, and when summer ends, campers take with them the support and encouragement they received at Camp.

However, in order to be able to continue to provide all it does to these children and maintain the programs in place, The Coalition for the Homeless relies on financial support. With budget cuts for such programs on a continued rise, it is up to us as a community to do so. There are many ways to support the program, but every year the Coalition hosts a fun event as part of their yearly fundraiser.

Carnival Night for Kids, benefiting the Coalition for the Homeless’ Youth Programs, will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at Victorian Gardens in Central Park.

All proceeds from Carnival Night benefit Camp Homeward Bound, the nation’s first summer sleep away camp for homeless boys and girls, and Bound for Success, an after school program and summer day camp for children living in New York City shelters. Through these programs, the Coalition for the Homeless strives to improve the lives of homeless youth across the city by offering them the chance to enjoy their childhood.

We hope that you will be able to join in brightening a homeless child’s summer by making this year’s Carnival Night for Kids a great success.

More info can also be found at www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/carnivalnight or on their Facebook event page.