For almost a decade, Urban Hope has hosted a free summer camp for Savannah children, grades 1 through 8. In 2018, their camp size doubled to 110 children with the addition of a second location, The Whitefield Center. 

Due to the pandemic of COVID-19, Urban Hope’s summer camp has yet to open to the 110 children planning to attend this summer. The Urban Hope Board and staff have held regular meetings to discuss how to best serve the children and families while ensuring the safety of their staff and campers. They are working to find other ways to assist their families and the community. 

At the beginning of the “stay at home” orders in March, Urban Hope coordinated an “adopt a student” effort in which individuals were able to communicate with children in the Urban Hope after school program by sending them small gifts, cards, and nonperishable items to keep the children aware of the love and support from their community at Urban Hope.

The organization has also used their funds and donations to purchase Kroger gift cards to distribute to the 55 families that enrolled their children in the summer camp. Along with the Kroger gift cards, the children received various art and educational activities to help keep their minds stimulated while at home. 

This week, on July 9, each Urban Hope family will receive a half dozen bagels with cream cheese from Big Bon Bodega; bags of nonperishable foods from P.A.C.K.; diapers, wipes, and feminine hygiene products from Over the Moon Diaper Bank; toothbrushes and toothpaste from Dogwood Pediatric Dentistry; and Kroger gift cards donated by Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church. 

“Every year, our Board and Staff members work diligently to prepare for summer camp by raising money, lining up free field trips, and creating fun and engaging activities such as our fine arts painting class. With the closure of our partner church, St. Paul’s CME, we have been unable to safely hold summer camp. We miss the children deeply and pray for their wellness and we want to do what we can with the donations provided by our community. Helping the families with groceries and stay at home activities is one way in which we are doing this,” states Jennifer Oetgen, Urban Hope Board President. 

For those in the community that would like to help, please donate via Urban Hope’s website, urbanhopesavannah.org. You can also donate diapers and hygiene products through Over the Moon’s website, otmdiaperbank.org. For those with in-person donations, there will be a collection box at The Whitfield Center (106 E. 37^th St.) through Thursday, July 9. 

For more information visit, urbanhopesavannah.org