We are Proud of Our Team of Youth Leaders
Dear Ron,
Our summer is flying by!
The photos below are a testimony of how amazing our team is - giving young people a summer they’ll never forget. SOLID staff have truly shaped a unique experience connecting young people with mentors, community, local leaders and (soon to be) life-long friends.
This is just a sneak peak of what we’ve been up to! I could not fit all the photos and video in one email. Please let me know when you’d like to come by for a tour of our facility to see more.
Thank you for reading!
~ Steve
Camp Create
Weeks 1 and 2 were focused on the arts at Camp Create.
Week 1: Stenciling with Steve! The campers loved it.
After three days learning new skills, we took our campers to the Banksy Museum in New York for more inspiration.
These in-between moments at camp are the most impactful - conversations that happen on walks through the city or in the SOLID van driving home.
Week 2: Photography with Chris - guest pro photographer led three amazing days of workshops.
Chris taught our campers about composition, the rule of thirds, the equipment, and much more.
Our campers creativity was on full display. They had a chance to take their own photos each day. We’ll be showing their work at our upcoming Open House and Block Party on September 13, 2025.
Camp Activate!
Weeks 3, 4 and 5 are our Camp Activate! Giving campers experiences they might not have anywhere else.
Kimmeshia Rogers-Jones, MSW (known to the campers as Miss Kimmeshia) is our Director of Student Success and Community Outreach - seen here keeping our campers activated at the Paterson Costello Pool.
Serving together at Deacon Davis’s Green Acre Community Garden - half a mile from SOLID over in the 4th Ward.
I couldn’t fit any more camp photos in this blog post, but here’s what else we’ve been up to this summer: community outreach with Malachi’s Mission, kayaking on the Passaic River with Pastor John Algera, restorative justice circles and training with community partners, vision boards, cook outs at Garret Mountain, indoor rollercoasters at American Dream Mall, the best conversations ever and lots (and lots) of UNO.
Friends like you help make these experiences possible for our young people at SOLID Foundation! Thank you for believing in our work empowering youth to be leaders and peacemakers in their community.
We have great news! We exceeded our goal to Unlock a SOLID Summer! It truly has been a life-changing summer for kids at the new SOLID Facility. I appreciate you for helping to make it possible by supporting transportation at camp.
I hope your summer is going well, too!
~ Steve
P.S. $75 a month gives a young person access to everything we offer at SOLID Foundation throughout the upcoming school year. If you’re already a supporter of SOLID, please consider sharing this email with a friend. Thank you!