HOLE IN THE WALL GANG FUND INC
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Mission Statement
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is dedicated to providing “a different kind of healing” to seriously ill children and their families throughout the Northeast, free of charge. It’s a community that celebrates the fun, friendship and spirit of childhood where every kid can “raise a little hell.”
About This Cause
Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp provides “a different kind of healing” to more than 20,000 seriously ill children and family members annually – all completely free of charge. During its first summer, Camp served 288 children. Since that time Hole in the Wall has evolved from a summer program into a vibrant year-round community that operates both onsite and regional programs throughout the Northeast. Many of the children and families served experience multiple Camp programs throughout the year at the facility in Ashford, Conn., in more than 40 hospitals and clinics, directly in camper homes and communities, and through other outreach activities across the Northeast. Our organizational growth has and continues to be inextricably linked to the diverse needs of the children and families we serve. Parent-specific programs were added in the early 1990s. Shortly after, spring and fall Family Weekends began. In 2002, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp launched its Hospital Outreach Program, which extends the hope and healing power of Camp to hospitalized children across the Northeast. And in 2013, CampOut launched, extending the joy and hope of Hole in the Wall to children and families right in their homes and hometowns. Summer Camp – Through our signature summer camp program, we host more than 1,000 children at eight week-long Camp sessions. Sessions 1 through 7 are devoted to seriously ill children and Session 8 is dedicated to their healthy siblings. Campers participate in traditional camp activities while receiving care from a significant, yet unobtrusive, medical presence. Campers aged 7 – 15 ride horses, create crafts, swim and so much more, as they bond with other children facing similar challenges and learn they are capable of so much more than they ever thought possible. In 2019 The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp served 1,066 children through eight summer sessions. Family Weekends – Throughout the spring and fall, Camp offers Family Weekends, which serve seriously ill children and their families. Each weekend welcomes approximately 25 families for a joy-filled experience fostering powerful friendships and strengthening support networks. Families enjoy a full range of program areas complete with round-the-clock medical care. Often, it is the first time an entire family can share a fun experience without the worry associated with providing direct care for their seriously ill child. Like all Camp programs, Family Weekends are provided entirely free of charge. Rare Disease Family Camp - Camp continues to work with NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders) to identify children and families living with rare illnesses who may be in need of a Camp experience. These families are coping with substantial medical acuity – oftentimes so much so that the seriously ill child cannot safely attend our residential summer sessions. These sessions are designed to serve “orphan illnesses” – rare medical diagnoses for which there are insufficient social services and programming. These rare illnesses include mitochondrial disease, primary-pulmonary hypertension, proteus syndrome, progeria, and fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive (FOP). In 2019, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp welcomed children and families to two four-day rare disease Family Camps and one rare disease weekend. The first took place from May 30 – June 2. The second, in September, welcomed back 11 families with a child diagnosed with Progeria. Progeria, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), is a rare genetic condition that causes a child’s body to prematurely age. The third weekend took place at the end of October. Children and families affected by rare diseases face many challenges including limited treatment options, lack of a cure, limited educational resources, lack of advocacy groups to support them, and more. Many of those affected by a rare disease have never met anyone else with the same diagnosis. The Hospital Outreach Program (HOP) – Since 2002 HOP has been a part of Camp’s year-round programming and remains our fastest growing and most scalable initiative. In 2019 HOP brought Camp-style games, arts & crafts, and other creative activities to children and families in hematology/oncology and other pediatric departments at partnering hospitals. Programming was delivered at children’s bedsides, in playrooms, waiting and treatment areas, and at hospital-wide events. In true Hole in the Wall fashion, children who often have the freedom of choice taken from them were empowered by the opportunity to choose their own activities As hospital staff maintain a central focus on direct patient care, HOP provides a complimentary service. Our specialists work collaboratively with child life and other hospital staff to be a consistent, non-medical presence focused on play and quality of life. Our specialists are full-time facilitators of fun who are trained in child development, behavior management, activity planning, and the unique needs of children and families in crisis. Parent and Caregiver retreats - These retreats provide camper parents and caregivers an opportunity to relax, recharge, and reconnect while building their network of support with others who understand their challenges. Through retreat weekends, one-day retreats, and regional gatherings, parents are able to experience the joy, hope, and healing their children find at Camp. CampOut – In 2013, Hole in the Wall launched our mobile CampOut program allowing us to serve campers and families right in their homes and hometowns. CampOut’s goal is to continue the connections and healing of Camp throughout the year. In its first year, two CampOut specialists provided more than 730 campers and family members with home visits and special events held in communities throughout the northeast from Philadelphia to Maine. With a full staff of four, the team provided services to 2,501 campers, siblings, and adults through community events and home visits from Baltimore to Maine in 2019. Camp's programs are designed to restore choice, nurture powerful friendships and supportive social networks, and challenge perceived limitations associated with pediatric illnesses. This is accomplished through an integrated "Camp-Around Care" model that engages children and families throughout the year. Our programs have a unique healing impact on the seriously ill children and families we serve. Social skills and social support in the form of friendships significantly affect the quality of life. These factors are especially important for individuals facing adversity, as strong social skills and supports are related to resilience and can serve as protective factors against stressors, including serious medical illness. As such, Hole in the Wall seeks to create opportunities to build connection and friendships, thus bolstering the support networks of the children and families in our care. The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp maintains scalable and sustainable program growth designed to preserve our core values - safety, camaraderie, possibility, appreciation - while expanding services that impact the lives of more children, families, and healthcare professionals each year. We accomplish our funding goals through specific action steps related to event fundraising, individual gifts, capital campaigns, a corporate sponsorship program, event auction income, foundation grants, external events sponsored by organizations, website contributions, planned giving, stewardship, and gift processing and reporting. Contrary to popular belief, more than 98% of our operating support is derived from sources other than Newman's Own.