Thomas Schiff spear heads dual-agency summer camp program
As a financial and fundraising advocate for the Stuart House for the past 20 years, Tom Schiff has launched and funds a dual agency program providing victims of abuse the opportunity to attend summer camp at Camp Bob Waldorf.
A model program serving sexually abused children, Stuart House was created to remedy these problems. Stuart House brings together, in a “one-stop,” child-friendly facility, services of the Rape Treatment Center, law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Specially trained personnel from these agencies are co-located at Stuart House and work as a multidisciplinary team to investigate cases and ensure that children are not re-victimized by the system. Children are seen immediately and have access to comprehensive treatment, including 24-hour emergency medical care, expert forensic/evidentiary examinations, advocacy, crisis intervention, and long-term therapy services that child victims need to recover from the traumatic effects of sexual abuse. A child interview specialist conducts forensic interviews and trained advocates provide Court School and court accompaniment for children who testify in criminal proceedings. All of these services are free to the children and families that are served.
Camp Bob Waldorf is a residential camp for youth ages 9-17 that fosters growth and development in a fun, safe and nurturing environment. Their program is built upon four core pillars: Community, Inclusion, Identity, and Respect. While at camp, campers live out these values in their daily lives through interactions with other campers, learning new skills and making lasting memories.
Campers live in a cabin with their peers, and two to three trained counselors, and spend the majority of their day experiencing exciting camp activities together that include a combination of sports, challenge courses, arts, swimming and more.
Through these activities and interactions, our campers discover new skills and interests, and learn to be responsible and thoughtful individuals.
