A typical summer for15-year-old Dequan Burch of Niagara Falls would be sitting in the house being lazy and playing video games, or wandering the streets.
   Not this year. Dequan got a taste last summer of the YWCA of Niagara’s Niagara Falls Summer Youth Program when he picked up his sister who attended the camp at Niagara Street Elementary School.
   “I started staying a little later and later and playing with the kids,” Dequan said. “It was a fun way to get out of the house.”
   This year, Dequan attends camp as a junior counselor. He received a camp scholarship, as will other children who otherwise would not be able to enjoy the urban camp experience.
  The YWCA of Niagara operates summer youth programs in two locations. Its Lockport location has been in operation for over 20 years and has provided a camp experience for over 500 children annually. This is the second year for the Niagara Falls location but enrollment has already tripled from last year.
  This year, the YWCA of Niagara received a $10,000 Community Impact Grant from the New York Life Insurance Company to support its mission.
   “As a company, New York Life has long been committed to giving something back to the areas where our agents and employees live and work,” said John A. Foster, managing partner of the company’s Williamsville office. “New York Life strongly encourages our people to give their time and talents to help make a difference in our community.”
   The CIG program, which began in 2008, awards nonprofit organizations that are supported by New York Life agents, field managers and employees and address the needs of the community. Forty-three nonprofits were granted $500,000 through this program in 2009.
    “We are very grateful for New York Life’s investment in this program, which will have a lasting effect on the entire community,” said Kathleen Granchelli, YWCA CEO.  “New York Life’s continued participation in our programs has benefited many people in our community as we work to accomplish our mission.”
   The Niagara Falls camp provides recreational, academic and cultural enrichment for 75-100 children weekly in a safe and secure environment, regardless of financial circumstance.  The critically needed camp pilot program was launched in 2009 with an overwhelmingly positive response from school district personnel, parents and children. The 2009 camp was supported with a grant from the United Way of Niagara.
   Granchelli noted there are few opportunities for structured summer activities in Niagara Falls, an area plagued by poverty, urban blight and high crime rates. The Niagara Falls Summer Youth Program gives children the opportunity to join enrichment activities that they otherwise may not experience.
  To keep costs low, The Niagara Falls School District partners with the YWCA to use their facility for the urban camp; giving some children the chance to have their first swimming lesson, attend their first field trip to an amusement park, and perform their first play.
   Although this is a fee based program, the YWCA's commitment to inclusion necessitates scholarships, giving all the children the opportunity to attend. The added value to the community will be providing parents with a safe environment for their children during the summer months.  In addition, the added value to children's lives will be positive experiences, social interaction and lifelong memories.
   The interaction and memories are great but it’s the way the YWCA camp staff handles activities that keeps Phoenix Anderson’s attention.
  “I used to go to another camp and I didn’t like it very much because there was no option to choose (activities),” said the 11-year-old.
  Children are able to select the activities they want to participate in rather than a pre-determined schedule of events. Campers choose the activities they like including arts and crafts, gym, swimming and swimming lessons, outdoor play cooking and board games.
    Like most parents, Teresa Dyer of Wheatfield was looking for an experience that would keep her lively boys interested and exhausted.
  “They are at the age that they are not entertained enough when they are playing at home,” Mrs. Dyer said. “They come home tired, so I’m happy. They have made friends really quick.”
   Alex Vargas, 8, of Niagara Falls, is spending his first summer at the YWCA camp.
   “I heard there were some pretty cool things here,” said Alex. “I like swimming indoors, going outside, the arts and crafts and gym.”  He also thinks the camp trips are pretty great and is looking forward to traveling to Marineland in Niagara Falls, Canada, in the upcoming weeks.

Pictured above: New York Life Insurance Company representatives congratulate the YWCA of Niagara on receiving a $10,000 Community Impact Grant for its Niagara Falls Summer Youth Program. Pictured (left to right) Teresa Martinez, director of the YWCA of Niagara’s Carolyn’s House; Dan Stoll, financial services professional for New York Life, Lockport; John A. Foster, managing partner of New York Life’s Williamsville office; and Kathleen Granchelli, CEO YWCA of Niagara at Carolyn's House, Niagara Falls.