A Very Special Invitation from Alan Gerson

Former Chair of Community Board 2 and District 1 City Council Member

We know that you care about children and child welfare is part of your leadership and your commitment to our community and our city. That’s why I would like to extend a personal invitation to you to attend the Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth (SGHY) Gala on Thursday, June 15. Join us as we honor Randi Weingarten, American Federation of Teachers President, as well as other distinguished individuals who have done outstanding work to improve the lives of children in need.  Grammy award winning folk musician Tom Chapin will perform!  Feel free to spread the word to anyone who might wish to attend or co-sponsor the Gala.

I have devoted much of my life to SGHY which provides enrichment programs and summer camp to middle school children living in very low-income households and homeless shelters. The program has now expanded to five schools – with more schools on a waiting list—reaching over 1,000 children.

SGHY now aims to send more kids to sleep-away camp this summer. To raise funds for this, we have scheduled our first Gala since the pandemic.
At a recent school visit in the South Bronx, the first thing I was asked was “Will we be able to go to camp this summer?”  The students asked with great yearning if not pleading. For these kids it’s their only time away from the City, swimming in a lake, holding a frog or beholding a nighttime sky full of stars. These photos show scenes from camp last summer which speak for themselves.

One camper described his experience as “a dream come true.”  Please help us make more dreams come true for even more students.

My mother, Sophie Gerson, taught physical education and health to our city’s at-risk middle school students for 36 years. She then served as an elected member and President of Community School Board 2. SGHY continues her great teaching and acclaimed educational leadership. We do so by bringing our initiatives to NYC Title One and other public schools serving children in need. These include enrichment programs in sports, dance, hands-on science, outdoor nature, cultural exchange, music and drama.

In the summer, SGHY also makes it possible for these children to attend a week at a nurturing, top quality sleepaway camp in the Pocono Mountains. Teachers report that children who attend our programs and camps show improvement in attendance, academic progress, self-esteem, behavior, health and fitness.
I believe in combining a good cause with good fun.  So, I can promise an enjoyable, meaningful evening with great food, great entertainment and great company.  It will be especially fun and meaningful with the presence of great community leaders like you. So, please join us with any charitable donation—it all adds up.