Causes: Camps, Children & Youth, Children & Youth Services, Named Trusts, Philanthropy, Sports, Youth Development Programs
Mission: The Fiver Children's Foundation is a comprehensive youth development organization that makes a 10-year commitment to children from underserved communities throughout New York City and central New York. Through character-building summer and year-round out-of-school time programs, Fiver empowers children to make ethical and healthy decisions, to become engaged citizens, and to succeed in school, careers, and life.
Results: Since our inception in 2000,99% of program graduates have graduated from high school; of those, 80%+ have gone on to enroll in college or enter the military, many being the first in their families to achieve this milestone. Fiver maintains an 85%+ student retention rate year over year, ensuring consistent development and growth for participants as they progress through our 10-year program. In 2021,100% of eligible Fiver graduates graduated high school, and 91% enrolled in college.
Target demographics: At - Risk, Low - Income children and their families in the New York area between the ages of 8 and 18.
Direct beneficiaries per year: more than 400 youth
Geographic areas served: New York City and Central New York State
Programs: Fiver is not your typical after school program or summer camp. We take a slow and steady approach, over ten years, to building relationships and developing social, emotional and life skills that lead to positive decision-making and outcomes for youth. We involve the whole family in our programming and create a reservoir of social capital that both nurtures and challenges each individual. The Program Stages: Developmental Stages: The Fiver children progress through the following four stages during their decade-long tenure, LEARN, TAP, LEAD and SERVE. LEARN (ages 8-12) participants focus on developing self confidence and broadening their perspective with regard to goals and dreams. TAP (ages 13-14) participants work on personal and academic preparedness for the journey through high school, the importance of giving back through community service, and lessons learned through team-building initiatives. LEAD (ages 15-16) participants perform individual and group community service projects, participate in ethical decision-making and wilderness survival classes, develop leadership skills, and focus on college and career preparation. The SERVE program (ages 17-18) is aimed at assisting with the final years of high school (college applications, financial aid, etc) and with the post-high school transition into college, job training programs, or careers. Our programs include: One-on-One Support: During the school year, Fiver counselors reach out at least twice a month to conduct two 30-minute, one-on-one check-ins with each child. These check-ins aim to strengthen the trust between the staff member and participating youth. This relationship is the cornerstone of our model. Group-based and Content-Specific Programs: During the school year, each month, youth are invited to three group-based, hour-long hangouts and socials. They focus on relationship-building with peers and adult role models, learning age-appropriate life skills and preparing for next steps. In addition to these hangouts and one-on-one guidance, Fiver high school students also attend college visits and workshops related to: choosing, applying to and succeeding in college, personal statements, and financial aid. School Year Mini-Camps: Fiver also offers nineteen minicamps, or day-long programs, focused on social and emotional and skill-building on school vacations and holidays each year. Fiver takes advantage of these days off when youth might be otherwise disengaged, to connect with Fiver role models and peers. Staff utilize the structure and familiar rituals from summer camp to incentivize attendance and engagement. Family Support: Fiver’s approach is holistic and includes opportunities to connect and support the whole family. For example, once one child is referred to our program, all of the younger siblings in the family age into the program when they turn 9.Each month, we provide one 3-hour long family program where adults and youth of all ages can come together and build community. Residential Summer Camp: Youth attend for two weeks (ages 8 – 15) or four weeks (ages 16 – 18) and receive 24/7 support from trained youth development professionals. The program takes place at the picturesque 129-acre property in Poolville, New York consisting of rolling hills, woodlands, wetlands, a 36-acre lake, fourteen sleeping cabins and seven other buildings, mostly constructed in 1999.Core elements include formal curricula in public speaking, health, literacy, college access and environmental education as well as choice-based programs such as canoeing and horseback-riding.
Mission: The Fiver Children's Foundation is a comprehensive youth development organization that makes a 10-year commitment to children from underserved communities throughout New York City and central New York. Through character-building summer and year-round out-of-school time programs, Fiver empowers children to make ethical and healthy decisions, to become engaged citizens, and to succeed in school, careers, and life.
Results: Since our inception in 2000,99% of program graduates have graduated from high school; of those, 80%+ have gone on to enroll in college or enter the military, many being the first in their families to achieve this milestone. Fiver maintains an 85%+ student retention rate year over year, ensuring consistent development and growth for participants as they progress through our 10-year program. In 2021,100% of eligible Fiver graduates graduated high school, and 91% enrolled in college.
Target demographics: At - Risk, Low - Income children and their families in the New York area between the ages of 8 and 18.
Direct beneficiaries per year: more than 400 youth
Geographic areas served: New York City and Central New York State
Programs: Fiver is not your typical after school program or summer camp. We take a slow and steady approach, over ten years, to building relationships and developing social, emotional and life skills that lead to positive decision-making and outcomes for youth. We involve the whole family in our programming and create a reservoir of social capital that both nurtures and challenges each individual. The Program Stages: Developmental Stages: The Fiver children progress through the following four stages during their decade-long tenure, LEARN, TAP, LEAD and SERVE. LEARN (ages 8-12) participants focus on developing self confidence and broadening their perspective with regard to goals and dreams. TAP (ages 13-14) participants work on personal and academic preparedness for the journey through high school, the importance of giving back through community service, and lessons learned through team-building initiatives. LEAD (ages 15-16) participants perform individual and group community service projects, participate in ethical decision-making and wilderness survival classes, develop leadership skills, and focus on college and career preparation. The SERVE program (ages 17-18) is aimed at assisting with the final years of high school (college applications, financial aid, etc) and with the post-high school transition into college, job training programs, or careers. Our programs include: One-on-One Support: During the school year, Fiver counselors reach out at least twice a month to conduct two 30-minute, one-on-one check-ins with each child. These check-ins aim to strengthen the trust between the staff member and participating youth. This relationship is the cornerstone of our model. Group-based and Content-Specific Programs: During the school year, each month, youth are invited to three group-based, hour-long hangouts and socials. They focus on relationship-building with peers and adult role models, learning age-appropriate life skills and preparing for next steps. In addition to these hangouts and one-on-one guidance, Fiver high school students also attend college visits and workshops related to: choosing, applying to and succeeding in college, personal statements, and financial aid. School Year Mini-Camps: Fiver also offers nineteen minicamps, or day-long programs, focused on social and emotional and skill-building on school vacations and holidays each year. Fiver takes advantage of these days off when youth might be otherwise disengaged, to connect with Fiver role models and peers. Staff utilize the structure and familiar rituals from summer camp to incentivize attendance and engagement. Family Support: Fiver’s approach is holistic and includes opportunities to connect and support the whole family. For example, once one child is referred to our program, all of the younger siblings in the family age into the program when they turn 9.Each month, we provide one 3-hour long family program where adults and youth of all ages can come together and build community. Residential Summer Camp: Youth attend for two weeks (ages 8 – 15) or four weeks (ages 16 – 18) and receive 24/7 support from trained youth development professionals. The program takes place at the picturesque 129-acre property in Poolville, New York consisting of rolling hills, woodlands, wetlands, a 36-acre lake, fourteen sleeping cabins and seven other buildings, mostly constructed in 1999.Core elements include formal curricula in public speaking, health, literacy, college access and environmental education as well as choice-based programs such as canoeing and horseback-riding.
519 8th Avenue 24th Floor, New York, NY 10018
212-971-9562
Children & Youth
New York
