Fiver makes a 10 Year commitment to each participant. Our decade long pledge of time, talent and treasure is the backbone of all our programming.
Over ten years, participants progress through four programmatic stages.
LEARN: Years One - Four (Ages 8-12)
Fiver is a place for me. I leaned to use my words not my fist. This kid was calling me names and I started to talk. Now he is a changed person. Yeah I still have a long way to go but I learned more. I think the more kids go there the better. Because one kid goes one hundred will know. One person can change a lot so, Camp Fiver is teaching me, and I am teaching my friends. It’s deeper than that but my friend can keep on going on. They can help our environment. Not mines, not yours, OUR. Look at Barack Obama for example. Look what he accomplished. Think what we can accomplish. I guess alot. So that is why I want to go back to Camp Fiver.
Malik, age 10, Brooklyn, NY
TAP: Years Five - Six (Ages 13-14)
I would like to continue my fun experiences with Fiver! With Fiver, I have learned and accomplished so many things in life and it is very easy to get through my life issues. My first year at Fiver, I thought, ‘Wow, maybe I have found a place where I fit in.’
Monique, age 14, Brooklyn, NY
LEAD: Years Seven - Eight (Ages 15-16)
First, Fiver provides me with great opportunities for the future. Fiver teaches me how to be a leader and how to use ethics and make ethical decisions. This will help me in everyday life and towards the future. Another reason why I want to continue with Fiver is because of the activities such as the car wash and the debate. The car wash was a very enjoyable experience because I felt good about making money for a good cause. I loved the debate because I learned how to argue both sides and how to use facts as a weapon. Last but not least, I am excited to join the second year LEADers in 2009.
Hillary, age 15, Pawling, NY
SERVE: Years Nine - Ten (Ages 17-18)
I am myself in the purest of forms when I am at Fiver. I would love nothing more than to be a SERVE Member and share my experiences with the younger children. I would love to show the kids and counselors all that Fiver offers. Who would know more about Fiver than an actual Fiver Veteran? I cannot imagine my life without Fiver. I have gone back every year to my wonderful friends and personal sanctuary. As a SERVE Member, I will do anything to help out and make everything move as smoothly as possible. I am a well rounded worker and can handle everything from children to paperwork. I guess I have Fiver to thank for that.
Bibi, age 18, Manhattan, NY
Transitional Programs
Step-Up to Middle School
workshops and individualized follow up for 5th grade families during the middle school application process
middle school readiness workshops for 6th graders prior to starting middle
monthly support workshops in the fall of their 6th grade year
promotes goal-setting, follow-through, and planning for the future
encourages students to build a strong academic foundation for high school success
Step-Up to High School
high school readiness workshops for parents and participants
participant counseling on high school options
specialized high school aptitude test (SHSAT) prep and guidance
Step-Up to College
extensive college-planning program that educates and prepares Fiver juniors and seniors for the transition out of high school and into college
a Fiver counselor provides participants and their parents with information and access to resources that will give them a more competitive edge in the college application process
program consists of workshops to assist with applications, essays and financial aid, individual counseling, SAT prep classes, and college tours
Step-Up to Work - Intern Training and Placement
My experience with the interns from the Fiver Children’s Foundation has been phenomenal. I am extremely happy with their level of professionalism, their preparedness, and their willingness to learn new things and take on new tasks. Thank you once again for your Fiver interns. These hard working young people have been an asset to our agency.
Hope Campbell, Anti-Violence Project, New York City
Past Internship Placement Sites:
Big Apple Visual Group
Danois Architect
Emma Bowen Foundation
Fortress Investment Group
Group Four Design
Indiana Market & Catering
Marymount Manhattan College
New York Congregational Nursing Center
AVP- New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project
Pieces
Random House Inc.
Siegel and Gale
United Nations Association of the USA
Outreach Programs
One on One Attention
Fiver Program Counselors provide year-round support to all participants, meeting with participants, parents, school counselors and community partners, to best match programs and services with each Fiver's personal situation.
Counselors help participants of all ages to set goals, plan for their academic future, and become aware of their local community resources.
If Fiver staff cannot help directly, our network of partners and contacts almost certainly can.
Each participant's Counselor is his or her personal link to Fiver.
Support for Parents
The Fiver Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is made up of a core group of committed Fiver parents who together with Fiver staff promote parent involvement by organizing workshops, social support discussion groups, mixer events, and information sessions.
All Fiver parents are encouraged to attend at least one event and to contribute ideas and suggestions to PAC officers and Fiver support staff.
For more information please contact Karen or Leah at (212) 971-9562, or by email at
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or
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.
Enhancing Literacy
Fiver Book Clubs are hosted once a month for our younger elementary and middle school participants attending after school programs at 1 of 4 participating community partner sites.
Through this program, Fiver counselors and program interns meet monthly with groups of children who read and discuss books around themes of tolerance, giving back, and individuality. Participants take home a new book each month for their personal library.
Motivating Teens to Organize
Teen Council (TC) is Fiver's equivalent of student government or student council. A Fiver staff convener and elected TC officers organize two meetings per month.
The first meeting is a discussion on a topic of interest or future TC project. The second meeting features a special guest speaker who is an entrepreneur in their field of endeavor.
Past speakers have featured MTV executives, best selling authors, news anchors, and humanitarian workers.
Camp Fiver
One hundred twenty-five children attend during each of four sessions for a total of approximately 500 participants throughout the summer.
Fiver's Whole Self character education program is the core of the Fiver experience.
Below is a list of our 2011 summer camp offerings.
Activities and Electives
Fivers choose from a variety of activities each summer as part of their adventure learning curriculum. Adventure Learning gives Fivers a chance to exercise and team build with their peers, learning how to cooperate and communicate with others, and building a healthy self-confidence to overcome life's challenges. Among the coolest standard Camp Fiver activities are:swimming, horseback riding, capture the flag, boating, fishing, and weaving.
Media
Lights. Camera. Action. Each summer, Fivers have the chance to learn about various forms of communications media. All Fivers receive training in how to effectively communicate their ideas in speech and writing, whether they are going on field trips to Colgate University's media lab, taking part in writing workshops to polish college admissions essays, practicing their investigative reporting for the Hi Fiver newsletter, or loosening their tongues in public speaking class. There may be quiet personalities at Fiver, but there are no quiet voices.
Wilderness
Our LEAD one participants take part in a 5 day wilderness program after each 2 week camp summer session. During the session, participants in the wilderness program prepare for their camp out by learning basic safety and survival skills to make the most of their 5 day journey. The trip is consistently a transformative experience for all involved.
Senior Institute
Senior Institute helps Fivers transition smoothly to their final year of high school. Am I attending college? Which college is my best option? What passions do I think will motivate my future career choices? Fivers are helped to answer these questions and more as they prepare to end their high school journey and start the next phase of their young adult lives.
Summer in the City
When Fiver teens are not at Camp Fiver, they have the opportunity to participate in one of two Summer in the City Programs - Internships and Options.
Internships Program
The Internship Program provides 11th and 12th graders the opportunity to work for three weeks in New York City.
Participants are required to submit an application, resume and attend an interview with a Fiver staff person. Selected participants are paid a maximum of 25 hours/week through the Summer Youth Employment Program.
They receive weekly job-training and professional skills trainings, such as work etiquette, resume writing, and goal setting. If your organization is interested in becoming an internship site, contact
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.
Options Program
The Options Program is a multi-faceted approach designed to give high school students exposure to educational activities that will better prepare them for their future.
The main program components are Career Orientation, College Preparation and Character Development. Through exciting trips, workshops and guest speakers, participants will learn about themselves and their future academic and career options.
Sign-up for a Career Panel
Would you like to support our work, but cannot make a financial commitment at this time? Your passion is our need.
Join a summer career panel where professionals discuss how they got into their industry, what they studied in college and high school to prepare for their career, and the challenges/rewards associated with their profession.
Email
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to participate!
Host a Skills Workshop
Facilitate engaging workshops as an individual, or as a leader of a group of professionals, on topics such as:
interview skills, fiscal management, public speaking, leadership and personal well-being.
Email
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to participate!
Host an Office Tour or Job Shadow
Open your office to small groups of Fiver teens for a few hours for 1 on 1 career mentoring or touring.
Our goal is for each Fiver to learn about the different career choices available at that organization. Exposure to your work environment and professionals will show them what a "common" work day looks like, making their professional goals more tangible.
Email
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to participate!
Incentivise the SITC Program
In lieu of salaries, Fiver is providing participates with items that relate to program topics and outcomes. Fiver is seeking resources such as: new professional clothing, portfolios, planners, books, school supplies, magazine subscriptions, museum passes or memberships, tickets to events and shoes, etc.
Email
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to participate!
Fiver relies on individuals and organizations to make Summer in the City successful for over 75 Fiver teens.
Donate your time or talent by signing up to one of the ways to support our efforts listed above!
The following are excerpts from Fiver’s three-year, external, longitudinal evaluation completed in July 2009.
For more information please refer to the summary research reports also listed below.
Quality Time
Retention from 2009 to 2010 was an organizational high of 88%.
Programming hours depend on participant age.
Participants ages 8-14 receive 144 hours of programming over 12 days of scheduled activities.
Participants ages 15-16 receive 192 hours of programming over 12 days of scheduled activities, and 4 days of wilderness or college trips.
Participants ages 17-18 receive 288 hours of programming over 24 days of scheduled activities that include college trips.
Familial Support
A parent focus group revealed that the work of Fiver’s year-round counselors was instrumental in helping parents deal with educational, social-emotional and familial problems.
Fiver parents and guardians are invited to join the Parent Advisory Council or PAC. Members of PAC together with Fiver full-time staff organize monthly meetings to discuss programming successes, improvements, and newly recognized issue areas.
Parent retreats, mixers, and Fiver wide holiday/community service events help Fiver staff to maintain close ties with all of our participant parents and guardians.
Academic Advancement
Of the 108 high school seniors who have completed their 10-year commitment with Fiver, 96 percent graduated from high school or received their GED. Of those same youth, 93 percent have enrolled in college, graduated from college, or are serving in the military.
Positive Habits
Across four summers, Fiver participants generally reported lower incidences of risky behaviors and higher incidences of healthy behaviors than norm groups of NYC children.
