About the Nonprofit
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Cradle Beach unites individuals and families, with a focus on empowering children with special needs and the underserved to become their best selves. We create opportunities for life-changing experiences in a safe and inclusive environment.
Our Vision:A community where everyone’s abilities are limited only by their dreams.
Our Core Values: We uphold these core values in our own work; they represent what we believe in, what we stand for, and how we approach everything we do.
History
Cradle Beach was founded in 1888 as The Fresh Air Mission with the sole purpose of serving underprivileged children from the city of Buffalo.
In 1946, after many years of serving only underprivileged children, the summer camp program took its first group of children with special needs, financed by the Buffalo Rotary Club.
As the needs of the children served by Cradle Beach Camp expanded, the need for a larger, more easily accessible camp was realized. In 1996 the camp was moved to its current location, 8038 Old Lakeshore Rd.
For 10 years Cradle Beach served children from underserved communities in the city of Buffalo through our Project S.O.A.R. Program.
Our Project S.O.A.R. Program provided support to students in a variety of Buffalo Public schools through in-school and after-school programs.
AmeriCorps members, staff and volunteers ensured the safety and success of students in our Project S.O.A.R. Program through accountability, transportation assistance, constant communication and check-ins.
Students in the Project S.O.A.R. Program were encouraged to attend our Summer Camp Program.
Cradle Beach also provided support to Project S.O.A.R. students through our Summer in the City Program which provided both recreational and educational activities for students over the summer.
Our Project S.O.A.R. Program provided new opportunities and life changing experiences to the students in our Project S.O.A.R. Program through both education and recreational field trips, after-school programming and family nights.
