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12 SEPTEMBER 2024 | NOLAFAMILY.COM SoulGrow back to her roots in New Orleans. The journey back home was not without its challenges, including the took a dramatic turn after the loss of her mother in 2014. “After that, all I wanted to do was help kids and people feel like they still have a chance and like they are special,” Rosiere says. This desire to make a difference led her to Montauk, NY, where she initially started Camp SoulGrow. Despite the camp’s success in Montauk and two other New York locations, Rosiere felt a strong pull to bring Camp F ounded in 2014 by London Rosiere, Camp SoulGrow is a remarkable 501(c)(3) non-profit workshop camp dedicated to helping children gain self-esteem and connect with their community. This unique camp offers children a wide range of opportunities and adventures, designed with great intention, to connect them with local artists and businesses who serve as their mentors. Since its inception, Camp SoulGrow has conducted over 700 workshops and impacted more than 3,000 children, providing them with experiences that help them disengage from technology, discover new passions, gain confidence, and build lasting connections. So Long, New York! At the heart of Camp SoulGrow is the vision and determination of London Rosiere, who describes herself as the “Head Kid” of the camp. Rosiere’s journey to creating Camp SoulGrow is one of resilience and dedication, deeply rooted in her personal experiences. Her life CAMP SOULGROW BY MADISON VOORHIES
tragic loss of her brother in 2016 and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Rosiere’s determination never wavered. “In October 2023, I thought it was time to get back to New Orleans and do what I was supposed to do,” she explains. Getting to Work Camp SoulGrow operates on a simple yet powerful philosophy: to create an environment where children can explore new interests, discover new talents, and learn to be open-minded, enabling them to become more creative, independent, and happier. “The number one goal is to help kids find self-esteem and to break their fears,” Rosiere emphasizes. “You can’t give someone self-esteem; you can’t buy it for them. But my idea was I could create opportunities for them to find it themselves, and then it’s real.” The camp’s workshops are designed to be hands-on and immersive, providing children with the chance to engage with their community in meaningful ways. From cooking Thai food at a local restaurant to volunteering with seniors, the workshops offer a diverse range of experiences that help children build confidence and develop new skills. “There’s a [huge] cycle of giving and growing,” Rosiere notes. “I watch kids from completely different walks of life come and try new things and make unconventional friends that last a lifetime.”
The camp is open to all children, regardless of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, and all workshops are free of charge. “I never want kids to feel like they’re inferior or less important,” Rosiere explains. This commitment to equality is reflected in the camp’s structure, where children of all ages and backgrounds come together to learn and grow as equals. Growing Together As Camp SoulGrow continues to grow in New Orleans, Rosiere has big plans for the future. She hopes to secure a permanent space for the camp and acquire a bus to make the workshops more accessible to children across the city. “Currently, we use the community as our classroom and the local people and businesses as our teachers,” she says. “The goal is to keep planning workshop after workshop after workshop and have the bus the way it was in Montauk.” Through Camp SoulGrow, London Rosiere is not only providing children with the tools to build self-esteem and confidence but also fostering a sense of community and collaboration that extends far beyond the camp itself. As Rosiere likes to say, “We don’t compete, we collaborate.” To keep up with Camp SoulGrow’s events and progress in making a name for itself, visit campsoulgrow.org, and follow their Facebook and Instagram pages (@ CampSoulGrow).
One of the most unique aspects of Camp SoulGrow is its commitment to inclusivity.
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