For more than 30 years, TNOYS has hosted PEAKS Camp – a therapeutic, experiential camp for youth in foster care. PEAKS is one of TNOYS’ longest-running and most successful programs, during which licensed professionals regularly take paid time off to volunteer with and enrich the lives of the youth who attend.
The week-long camp experience helps youth learn important life skills, build resiliency, and enhance their feelings of self-worth, all of which are critical for putting them on a path to a successful adulthood. For most of the youth who attend this program, PEAKS offers the only chance to get a traditional camp experience. Click here to watch a video that shows PEAKS in action.
Yet, for all the benefits PEAKS has offered for over three decades, TNOYS learned that this year, due to budget cuts from traditional funding streams, we would need to raise our own funds in order to keep this important program alive.
With a shared interest in the goal PEAKS camp strives every year to meet, the BCFS System has pledged a gift of $25,000 to serve as a catalyst for the donorship that the organization believes can support this unique, critical program.
“We are truly honored to be able to assist TNOYS raise the funds to continue this important program. It is the right thing to do. It changes lives,” says Kevin C. Dinnin, President & CEO of the BCFS System.
On Monday, Celeste Garcia, Executive Director of BCFS Health and Human Services’ Community Services Division, presented the check on behalf of the BCFS System to Christine Gendron, Executive Director of TNOYS, at the 2018 Judicial Summit on Mental Health in Houston, co-hosted by the Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission.
The donation from BCFS provides critical support for the program, but more is needed as the usual PEAKS budget exceeds $100,000. If you or your organization are interested in pitching in to help, please contact TNOYS’ Executive Director Christine Gendron at cgendron@tnoys.org or donate online at tnoys.org/donate and indicate in the notes that you want your contribution to go toward the 2019 PEAKS Camp.