Homeless Children Having Time Of Their Lives At Camp Win

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — On Wednesday, a very special dance class was held for children dealing with living in homeless shelters.

It was part of a summer camp to help the kids stay active and have some fun.

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CBS2’s Cindy Hsu met the children from Camp Win who live in family shelters across New York City. But for the summer they are getting a chance to focus on just being kids. Professional dancers and choreographers from Broadway Dance Center are teaching them some new moves.

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When asked what she learned today with her dancing, 13-year-old Ijahnay Maynor said with a laugh, “That it’s a lot of work.”

But Ijahnay also said it’s lots of fun. Instructor Abdul Belle said that’s the goal, and the kids are learning about a lot more than dance.

“Working as a team, confidence, being strong … not afraid to be who you are no matter who’s watching you,” Belle said.

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About 1,000 children, ages 5 to 16, attend the non-profit summer-long program. They take lots of field trips that emphasize everything from science to culinary arts.

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“It can just change your life, just because what they’re doing for us … it’s like something kids don’t have that. We’re grateful to have it,” 11-year-old Ja’nei Killings said.

According to the state, 1 in 10 New York City public school students face homelessness each year.

“It definitely provides them some form of comfort, I would say. You know they’re our kids when they come into camp,” Tanji Nelson said.

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While every student has their favorite camp memory, Maynor said she loved winning a cooking competition.

“I had made a cheesy chicken pasta with baby potatoes on the side,” Ijahnay said, adding that she won first place and was happy about it.

And now she dreams of becoming a chef.

So who knows how many of these children may aspire to become dancers.

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The children attend Camp Win for free, and the program is funded by donations.