MMC Trustee Sr. Susan Gardella ’79 Runs Summer Camp to Assist Immigrant Families in Need
Sr. Susan Gardella ’79
Sr. Gardella is the heart of the Life Center’s dedication to its community, and as a part of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, she represents a religious congregation of women whose original order founded Marymount Manhattan.
Summer camps in the Sleepy Hollow region have either been canceled or migrated to remote environments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Sr. Gardella and the RSHM Life Center found that immigrant families relied on these camps to watch their children during the workday. As many of the families are undocumented and have not received government support, they had no choice but to return to work, but also had no one to watch their children.
The summer camp, housed in an education-based community center located in Sleepy Hollow, not only cares for children as their parents reenter the workforce but additionally provides English language lessons to prepare the children for school.
Although it was a difficult task, Sr. Gardella and the RSHM Life Center was there to help. In order to follow state guidelines for in-person camps, the Center adapted by focusing on activities that allow for social distancing, such as giant jenga. Now in its third week of operation, the camp remains an important part of the Sleepy Hollow community.
Read the original Hudson Independent article here.
Published: July 21, 2020
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