ICAN
New York Life Foundation Excellence in Summer Learning Award
Chandler, AZ: The objectives of the ICAN’s summer program are to provide youth with social-emotional support, engage them in fun academic and other activities, and keep them safe during the summer. Curriculum taught includes STEAM with fun hands-on activities, Social Emotional Learning curriculum that includes team-building activities focusing on communication and connection, Academic Support that includes reading and literacy skill building to avoid learning loss, and Structured Sports and Recreation that promote physical activity, inclusion, and empowerment.
Teachers in the Parks
New York Life Foundation Excellence in Summer Learning Award
Exeter Township, PA: The Teachers in the Parks (TIPs) program goals are designed to be child and family-centered in meeting a core belief of helping children bridge the summer learning gap. They do this by meeting students where they naturally are over the summer months: in the parks, at the pool, enrolled in community recreational programs, and local daycares.
Together, alongside local school districts and recreation programs, TIPs works to create relaxed summer learning environments in both our surrounding communities and in other states.
The Fresh Air Fund’s Summer Teen Academy
New York Life Foundation Excellence in Summer Learning Award
New York, NY: Following a 25-year history of introducing middle and high school students to career exploration, The Fresh Air Fund created career exposure, job readiness training, and internship and credentialing opportunities for teens to address barriers to summer employment and budget cuts to the Summer Youth Employment Program in New York City.
In partnership with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School); PennPraxis, the non-profit arm of the Weitzman School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania; Urban Arts Partnership; and Youthful Savings, teens ages 14-17 are introduced to industry-level skills in architecture, game design, and entrepreneurship, and learned directly from professionals in these fields.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica
New York Life Foundation Excellence in Summer Learning Award
Santa Monica, CA: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica's Summer Learning Program model consists of four pillars: 21st Century Learning and Pathways, Social-Emotional Health, Healthy Lifestyles, and Good Citizenship and Leadership.
Their mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The Summer Learning Program is designed to prevent summer learning loss while providing enrichment experiences over the summer. Youth participate in fun, project-based, and educational programming. Activities include STEM, art, tutoring for kids in summer school, career exploration, college preparation, leadership, fitness, healthy eating, and field trips.
