Picnic for a Cause

Just because it’s a colossally gloomy day doesn’t mean it’s not a day for a picnic. From now until 4pm, CAMBA — a NYC non-profit that provides and supports all kinds of essential services for New Yorkers in need– is hosting the 5th Annual CAMBA-Park Slope Women’s Shelter Picnic, and we’re all invited. Here’s the deal:

Park Slope Women’s Shelter provides emergency housing and comprehensive social services to enable women to gain greater self-sufficiency.  We provide counseling, case management, psychiatric services, and other therapeutic services.  We assist residents toward a goal of specialized transitional, supportive or independent housing.  Whenever possible, we assist women in gaining employment.

We will have lots of food, fun activities and prizes. Our picnics allow our clients to be independent by helping set- up, serve food and distribute beverages.  To make this event more meaningful we also invite P.S.W.S. Resident Alumni.  These are women who have successfully transitioned from the shelter into housing; and serve as motivation to current shelter residents.

We believe this annual event assists with reducing the stigma that is often attached to people who are homeless and living with mental illness.  Similarly, we believe that activities such as this support with reorienting the women we serve toward healthy and positive social experiences. Lastly, we believe that this event serves to increase community integration, respect, and responsibility.

It may be the most important picnic you attend this summer. The festivities go for the rest of the afternoon at the park’s Park Circle Lawn, which is right across from the Prospect Park Tennis Center — look for the CAMBA banner. Also, bring an umbrella.