Fresh Air Fund Seeks North Fork Hosts for NYC Kids

The New York-based Fresh Air Fund is seeking North Fork families to host children this summer.

Last year 11 children from New York City visited the North Fork as part of the program. This year four children have been invited out to the area, but executive director Jenny Morgenthau said she hopes additional families from the North Fork will sign up to become host families.

“This requires families to open their hearts and homes to city kids and include them in activities with their own children,” said Morgenthau.

Just being out in the country, riding bikes on the roads, going fishing and swimming are what these kids crave, she said. City pools are crowded and often the kids do not get to spend one-on-one time with adults.

Orient homeowners Mary Sykes and Gwyneth Ketterer are going on their fourth year of serving as a host family to Malachi, 10, and Kyaria, 11, both of Brooklyn. Sykes has been donating to the Fresh Air Fund for 20 years and when her twins were five they decided it was time to become a host family.The first year the kids came out, they planned lots of activities for the children but found out the kids just wanted to play in the pool, said Sykes.

“Our kids went to camp but Malachi and Kyaria just wanted to play in the pool and spend time with adults,” said Sykes, and that the kids like to go exploring on the Long Island Sound beach near their home, jumping off the dock at the Orient Yacht Club, playing miniature golf, and going out on the boat, but their favorite activity is just spending time in the family’s pool.

Through their eyes, Sykes sees the things her family may take for granted and believes this opportunity changes the lives of children.

“They appreciate that you’re doing this for them,” Sykes said.

The program runs in July and August. The July session can either be a one- or two-week experience, while the August session is limited to one week. Morgenthau says there is still time to sign on as a host family.

Due to budget cuts to city programs, more children are signing up this year and Morgenthau is hoping to recruit more host families on the North Fork. She said the organization is also looking for someone to serve as a chairperson for the North Fork. The chairperson would help recruit families and help match children to families. To become a host family, the group does an in-house interview with all families present and a criminal background check. Children do not need to stay in separate rooms, but they do need their own beds.

Both Sykes and Morgenthau are enthusiastic supporters of the organization and say they hope more families become involved in bringing children out to the North Fork.

If you are interested in hosting a child, or in becoming the Fresh Air Fund’s North Fork Chairperson, contact LaShika Walker at 212-897-8962 or lwalker@freshair.org