Port Chester: Embracing the Mission

By Mr. Jerry Rodriguez, Executive Director, Don Bosco Community Center

(Port Chester, NY – August 14) – The Don Bosco Summer Day Camp is in full swing as we enter week three of our five-week program. We've been blessed to host over 100 children this season, each contributing to the vibrant energy of our community.

As the only 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Catholic camp in the area, our camp plays a crucial role for families who rely on us, particularly in August when other options are scarce. In 2023, we made the thoughtful decision to adjust our schedule to better serve those in need, ensuring that children have a safe and enriching environment right up until the school year begins. This change has been warmly embraced by our community, with increased enrollment and consistent expressions of satisfaction from parents.

Our campers have enjoyed a variety of enriching outings, including visits to the aquarium, museum, and movie theater. We’re now preparing for exciting adventures to a natural reserve and the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

In addition to these fun experiences, the children are actively participating in educational workshops focused on math and English language arts (ELA), helping them gear up for the upcoming school year. They are also engaging in STEM workshops that ignite their creativity and critical thinking.

At Don Bosco, our commitment to serving the young in our community is unwavering. Our camp addresses the significant educational loss that often occurs during summer while providing parents with a reliable option for childcare. The impact of our camp is profound, fulfilling multiple needs within our community, just as Don Bosco would have envisioned.

As I witness the joy and growth of our campers each day, I am reminded of the importance of supporting our mission. I encourage everyone, particularly the lay members of the Salesian Family, to support their local work financially. Serving the young and the poor would not be possible without our collective efforts. The Don Bosco Community Center’s mission, for example, is sustained by the generosity of donors who provide 90 percent of our funding—support that is not guaranteed and which more often than not requires a deep trust in Divine Providence, especially as the needs of the young and the poor grow.

As Catholics, we are called to be good stewards, sharing our time, talent, and treasure with those in need. Thankfully, we are part of a mission that embodies this spirit—the Salesian Family. Our contributions truly make a difference.

I look forward to sharing more updates about the Center next week, and I ask for your prayers for our Salesian religious, supporters, staff, and children as we work to complete these final weeks with strength and joy.

Visit the Don Bosco Community Center’s website!