What they reported doing
- #1 primary $319KTHE FACILITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PROGRAMS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AS WELL. CAMPERS COME FOR SPECIAL RESPITE WEEKENDS DURING THE YEAR FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH MAY; DAY TRIPS AND OUTINGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO CONCERTS, THEATER, SPORTING EVENTS, RESTAURANTS; LIFE SKILLS LAB WORKSHOPS OFFERED FOCUSING ON INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, JOB READINESS, POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS, PERSONAL CARE NEEDS, AND TRANSPORTATION TRAINING.
What they call their work
What they do
-
School and School-Community Events 1 activity
- Hosts community-building events for campers, alumni, and familiesOrganizes annual holiday parties, Friendsgiving lunches, Family Fun Days, and informational seminars to foster community connection, support peer networks, and engage families in camp life. Events include meals, activities, facility tours, and enrollment support.
-
-
Discount Retail for Reuse 1 activity
- Manages a furniture donation and resale program to support operationsCollects new and gently used furniture and home goods through drop-offs and staffed pick-ups, then sells them in an annual sale from September to May. Uses B&N Moving for larger pickups and maintains weekday drop-off availability with advance notice.
-
-
Summer Camp Access Scholarships 1 activity
- Offers financial aid and sliding-scale scholarships for camp participationProvides financial assistance on a sliding scale based on family need to ensure access to summer camp and other programs regardless of income. Awards over $250,000 annually, with approximately 75% of campers receiving some level of support.
-
-
Specialized Summer Camps for Disabilities 1 activity
- Operates a fully adaptive overnight summer camp for youth with physical disabilitiesProvides one- and two-week overnight camp sessions annually for youth aged 8–20 with physical disabilities, with capacity for 40–50 campers per session and a 2:1 camper-to-counselor ratio. The program includes adaptive recreational, educational, and social activities, and operates two three-week sessions and a one-week introductory program each summer.
-
-
Adaptive Equipment Provision 1 activity
- Operates an equipment exchange for children with physical disabilitiesProvides access to a network for sharing and distributing new and gently used adaptive equipment and supplies for children with physical disabilities, supporting independent living and mobility needs.
-
-
Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Produces a podcast highlighting camper voices and camp cultureProduces "After Campfire," an all-ages podcast that shares stories, experiences, and perspectives from campers, fostering connection and amplifying youth voices beyond the camp setting.
-
-
Residential Camp Health & Safety Services 1 activity
- Provides 24-hour on-site medical and therapy services during campEnsures continuous medical support during camp sessions through a registered nurse on-site and a physician on call, housed at the Mulholland Health Center. Also offers on-site therapy services and transportation to external medical appointments in New York City.
-
-
Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
- Provides year-round residential and day programs for youth with physical disabilitiesOffers year-round programming including weekend respite stays, mini-camp sessions, day trips, seasonal social events, and off-site outings to concerts, museums, and sporting events. Programs support ongoing recreation, social connection, and skill development for campers and alumni beyond the summer season.
-
-
Supported Employment for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Runs a Young Adult Leadership & Transition Program for alumniOffers structured programming for older campers and alumni focused on leadership development, employment readiness, independent living skills, and post-secondary education planning. Includes vocational training in administration, peer mentoring, and wheelchair mechanics, as well as travel mentorship and volunteer opportunities.
-
-
Girls' Mentorship and Leadership Development 1 activity
- Supports mentorship programs for students with disabilitiesProvides mentorship opportunities for young women in STEM at John Jay College and students from the Henry Viscardi School, fostering academic and personal development through peer and professional guidance.
-
Who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS NARO | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $186K |
| DAVID BILLINGHAM | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 35 | $138K |
- AMANDA GROVE HOLMEN — DIRECTOR
- BARBARA VOGT — DIRECTOR
- CATHERINE CAREY — DIRECTOR
- CHARLOTTE BONSTROM — DIRECTOR
- CHRISTL MESZKAT — DIRECTOR
- ELLEN L'ESPERANCE — DIRECTOR
- FLORENCE DANFORTH-MEYER — DIRECTOR
- KATHLEEN A DOWNES — ADVISORY BOARD DIRECTOR
- LISA ARNOLD — DIRECTOR
- LISE EVANS — DIRECTOR
- LIZA JOSEPH — DIRECTOR
- MARYBETH MULLEN — DIRECTOR
Who they work with
- American Camp Association Network — Member of the American Camp Association, as indicated by ACA logo on website.
- B&N Moving Partner — Contracted moving company used for furniture pick-ups, especially for larger donations or those in New York City.
- David Billingham Partner — Camp Director at SFAH providing leadership and contact for prospective families.
- Eilis Welsh Partner — Assistant Camp Director at SFAH supporting program operations and family engagement.
- Facebook Partner — Social media presence on Facebook for outreach and engagement
- Henry Viscardi School Partner — Mentors students from this school as part of alumni and outreach efforts.
- Instagram Partner — Social media presence on Instagram for outreach and engagement
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice Partner — Collaborates on a mentorship program for young women in STEM.
- Kiara Esteves Partner — Camp Coordinator at SFAH managing camp logistics and communications.
- Merrill Lynch Partner — Financial institution through which donors can transfer securities to support SFAH.
- Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Government — Collaborates with OPWDD as a funding and eligibility pathway for families seeking financial assistance for camp.
- Southampton Hospital Government — Local hospital located five miles away, serving as nearby medical support for campers.
- TikTok Partner — Social media presence on TikTok for outreach and engagement
- X Partner — Social media presence on X (formerly Twitter) for outreach and engagement
- YouTube Partner — Social media presence on YouTube for outreach and engagement
- eherrmann@sfah.org Partner — Program Manager at SFAH involved in program delivery and outreach.
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Family-Centered Access and Respitemethodology: family_centered_accessBy removing financial barriers and supporting families through onboarding and inclusive programming, we increase access and provide respite because reducing logistical and emotional burdens enables sustained participation and strengthens the well-being of both children and caregivers.
- Recreation-Based Empowerment Modelmethodology: recreation_based_youth_developmentBy engaging youth with physical disabilities in adapted recreational and community-based programming, we foster confidence, independence, and social development because structured, enjoyable activities in a supportive environment promote self-esteem and peer connection that translate into broader life skills and motivation beyond camp.
- Supportive Self-Directed Development Environmentmethodology: supportive_self_directed_developmentBy providing a safe, accessible, and self-directed residential environment, we promote maturity and personal growth in children with physical disabilities because autonomy within a structured, supportive setting encourages discovery, responsibility, and independence.
- Year-Round Peer Community Integrationmethodology: year_round_peer_modelBy extending engagement from seasonal to year-round programming, we sustain social connections and reduce isolation among youth with physical disabilities because continuous peer interaction reinforces identity, belonging, and developmental progress over time.