Other ways to contribute

The LEAP summer program is a unique experience for counselors and children alike because the counselors become immersed in the lives of their children – literally. In the beginning of the summer, college-age counselors, called Senior Counselors (SC), move into apartments in the neighborhoods where the LEAP children live. In this way, they get a hands-on experience of how life is for the children who live in economically challenged neighborhoods in New Haven. This experience also allows the children and youth to create deeper bonds. Most kids and their counselors spend extra time together outside of LEAP hours talking, playing basketball, and enhancing the mentor experience. In addition, counselors living together form lifetime bonds amongst each other. Their work has deeper meaning because they are living it together and are invested in the children they serve.