Summer Day Camp Fun

Last week campers embarked on this year's YWCA of Queens Summer Day Camp for a summer full of exciting and enriching experiences. Campers have already made many new friends, played interactive games and participated in challenging, yet engaging activities. The YWCA and its campers look forward to a fun-packed summer!

Mark the Date - Summer Literacy Festival - August 7, 2010

Sponsored by HSBC

The Summer Literacy Festival is back with some familiar and new competitions for family fun such as the annual Spelling Bee, Story Time, Teen Jeopardy, Alphabet Soup, Family Sing-A-Long, Speak Easy and a Live Puppet Show. For the Spelling Bee. Speak Easy and Teen Jeopardy competitions, participants have a shot at winning Barnes & Noble or Target giftcards valued up to $100.

This year's special guests include Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (who will read during Story Time) and Michelle Park, anchor for NY1 News.

The event is free, some come by and join us in celebrating literacy and the summer!

When: August 7, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: 4207 Parsons Blvd.
Includes: Free food, week long Scholastic book fair, clowns and face painting!

**Proof of grade level is required for Spelling Bee and Jeopardy. Participants must be entering grade levels in September 2010. Space is limited. Pre-registration begins Friday, July 9, 2010 until 5 p.m. August 4, 2010. Answers and word list available Aug. 3.

Required documents for registration available:

In person: 42-07 Parsons Blvd Flushing, NY 11355

By fax: 718.353.4044 (Confirmation call required)

By email: mykim@ywcaqueens.org

All inquiries, including volunteering, should be directed to Moo Young Kim at 718.353.4553 x17 or mykim@ywcaqueens.org

New Van in Action!

The Hyde and Watson Foundation and an anonymous donor provided YWCA of Queens with two grants that allowed the organization to purchase a brand new, spacious van. With the van, After School and Summer Day Camp participants can be picked up from various schools and locations around the community in a safe and convenient environment. The van will also be used for various program fieldtrips.

Send us a friendly honk if you see us cruising by!

Moving Up

Congratulations to the youth participants of our GED/Workforce Development program who achieved academic and professional excellence!

Nine students recently received their GED certification and two have obtained jobs. 15 students also received the National Retail Federation (NRF) certificate that recognizes the knowledge and critical skills recipients must have in order to succeed in the retail industry.

Students have access to a wider range of opportunities with GED and NRF certification and are ready to tackle the workforce or higher education. YWCA of Queens staff and participants celebrated these achievements with a Moving Upward party and we look forward to hearing of their future successes!

Also, visit the youth participants' blog to see what they're up to:

http://ywcaofqueens.ning.com/

Yoga Tuesdays

YWCA of Queens has partnered with Restore NYC to provide fun and spiritual yoga classes targeted at sex trafficked women. The organization is excited to work with Restore NYC, which does amazing work in provide safe housing and specialized legal, medical and employment services to this population.

Yoga class is held every Thursday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend., but limited spaces are available. To register, send your RSVP to Kara Kim at kara@restorenyc.org.