Advancing the Community of Tomorrow (ACT)

The guiding philosophy of ACT has always been, “We learn best that which we enjoy doing.” Campers, pre-school kids, and after-school kids play sports; practice arts and crafts, cooking and dance; work in the gardens; and learn about worms, honeybees, and peacocks. ACT provides children and their families year-round, affordable, and non-sectarian activities.

Every Cathedral Should Have an ACT

“As we like to say, ‘Get in on the ACT.’”

JOSÉ V. TORRES

KEITH HEFNER Since its founding as a small summer camp in 1971, ACT has expanded to meet the changing needs of the community. Today, it is an Upper West Side institution that has provided a safe haven to over 100,000 toddlers to teens.

DEAN KOWALSKI For decades children and young adults of different faith, cultural, and economic backgrounds have learned, played and grown together at ACT.

We started with a summer camp for kids in the school and the neighborhood. As time went on, we extended the ages from three to 15, we developed a Preschool Program, a Nursery Program, and then After-School Programs. ACT has grown, we have an enrollment of close to 1,200 kids.

JOSÉ V. TORRES You name a holiday, we’ve celebrated it. Working in a diverse environment forces you to diversify your approach. You can’t treat everyone the same way. It was working with whites, Blacks, Latinos, educated, not-soeducated, verbal, not-so-verbal. When you talk about “community building,” a lot of staff will say we’re not just building for the kids but also for the adults. We are basically here to support families as cathedrals used to do when they were the center of the community. Things at the Cathedral are very special to our kids. When the Phoenix was here, our nursery school went every morning to watch the progress. There are crafts related to the Cathedral construction and the medieval period. I’ve had some kids look at the altar and ask, “Why a menorah?” Or, “Why is there something from China up there?”

JEN GOWERS Working with ACT is a wonderful mix of interacting with young people of all ages, connecting with their families, supporting our diverse and exceptional staff, finding awesome parttime and seasonal staff, and collaborating with ACT folks, Cathedral folks, community folks, and the geniuses I have been lucky enough to know over the course of my career to dream up ways to make these strong youth programs even more awesome. MARIE DEL TEJO ACT is about community. From the very beginning, our kids know how be together and feel included. Kids from private schools learn to work with kids that didn’t get the breaks. I was born next door in St. Luke’s and I’ve worked with the Cathedral for 26 years. I’ve always lived in this neighborhood. I recognize the families on the street. When the kids come here, they create a home away from home together. We talk about what neighbors do. We like to see the generations. There is one family here whose grandmother was an original ACT board member. Her son grew up at ACT, and now his daughter is here. One of our teachers started as a four-year-old and went through everything we offer: Camp, After School, Vacation Camp, she became a junior counselor, then a counselor, then an Assistant Teacher. Talk about full circle!

AMORREENA CLEMENT You might start off at 14 helping a three-year-old play in the mini-pools and end up at 18 as a swim instructor. You learn so much and you are always prepared to share it with others. I love ACT.

“Every cathedral should have an ACT.”

NORA SCHAAF

JULIA HOLDEN Running a camp is never an easy task, but running a day camp in the heart of New York City is a feat of astounding proportions. It takes an immense amount of hard work, logistical and organizational control and scheduling, and a team of outstanding and dedicated staff who can adapt to an ever-changing environment.

JOSÉ V. TORRES You’re here to really be with the kids. A lot of people ask themselves, “Is what you’ve done in your life worth living?” I have, I feel it. That’s what keeps us here. We think that what we do makes a difference. That’s really the key.