A special summer for Valley Stream child

One lucky girl will be able to attend summer camp for the very first time because of the efforts of Marsha Guerrier. The Valley Stream resident runs the Yva Jourdan Foundation which is sponsoring a child for the village’s summer camp at Barrett Park for the second consecutive year.

Guerrier said she is really excited about doing things for the community, including being able to help children. “I realized I could do more on a broader scale when I became a non-profit,” she said.

Seven-year-old Nadelin Cusumano, a second-grader at William L. Buck School, couldn’t help but smile and blush upon meeting with Guerrier on June 4. Along with her mother, Maryann, and baby brother, Gabriel, she signed up for camp, which will begin at the end of the month.

Though Nadelin was on her way to a pool party, she was very excited, and even took time to laugh with a friend by the registration table.

Nadelin, who was placed in the camp’s “iCarly” group, said she likes to ride her bike and scooter everyday, and play her new SpongeBob SquarePants game. When camp begins, she is looking forward to swimming, field trips such as going to the Adventureland amusement park, and meeting new friends.

Guerrier said Nadelin was chosen by the Peninsula Counseling Center, which sought to find a child with a need. This is the second time that Guerrier collaborated with PCC. “I reached out to them to find a deserving child that lives in Valley Stream,” she said, “and they picked her.”

The Barrett experience will also offer Nadelin a chance to grow, Guerrier noted. “She will get a greater sense of confidence, meet new people in the district and neighbors that she hasn’t had a chance to interact with, and be a part of the community,” she said. Guerrier presented an orange backpack containing goggles, a water bottle, a towel and flip flops to Nadelin. The bag is full of goodies to make an enjoyable summer camp experience, Guerrier noted.

The foundation is able to sponsor a child each year through fundraisers. Guerrier has been volunteering to do things like this for several years, and also used to sponsor camps for inner city kids.

Last year, Guerrier learned about the camp program at Barrett, and sponsored a child from Valley Stream District 30.

This year, the foundation will also be sponsoring a Haitian girl, whose family was displaced in last year’s Haiti earthquake, for a summer program at Dance Expression on Central Avenue. Guerrier wants to continue to make the camp sponsorship available for young children every year, and even plans to raise funds for high school seniors to pay for college application costs.

But, for right now, Guerrier wants to help ensure that Nadelin has a great summer at camp. Nadelin’s mom, Maryann is grateful. “It’s wonderful to help,” she said. “That’s what life is about, being of service to people.”