Mollie Patiño plays checkers outside as part of a summer program that allows her to learn math while having fun. “I like projects and I like to play with my friends,” explains the minor.
These summer activities are organized by the entity The Fresh Air Fund and they use the public spaces of the city to teach through play. It’s free for ages 5-12 and includes arts and crafts, sports, music, dance, and reading with a focus on science and math.
This is the second year that it has been carried out, taking advantage of the Open Streets initiative, on 34th avenue in Jackson Heights. A good way for the little ones to entertain themselves after difficult months.
According to Fatima Shama, executive director of The Fresh Air Fund: “They need this return of being social, of talking, of sharing, of playing. It is incredible to see children happy, playing, movement that children need.”
Here in Queens, activities are organized on 72nd Street and 93rd Street on 34th Avenue. Closing to vehicles on these streets, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until August 20, is a good way to ensure children’s safety.
“The streets of our communities are our streets and open streets is an opportunity for the community to say that we want open streets for the safety of our children,” Sharma details.
For young people like María Montero, the program serves as a job opportunity during the summer. This is her fourth year working with the Fresh Air Fund and she says the job has given her the experience of working with children, something she believes will be very useful for her career as a children’s dentist.
“It always gives us new experiences for saying this program gives us that interaction with the community directly, you can see what the difficulties are between our community,” says Montero.
For those parents who want to register their children for the Fresh Air Fund program, they can do so in person at 93rd Street and 34th Avenue or visit the website: FreshAir.org
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