Astrid’s Impact
Prior to Zebra Crossings, Astrid was a cherished outdoor education and overnight camp program leader working with the American Youth Foundation. Astrid had the opportunity to work with groups of children who had chronic medical conditions. Through this work Astrid could see the incredible, positive impact the programs had on these children, and it was her truest desire to make more program opportunities available for kids with chronic medical conditions.
To achieve her dream, Astrid started a nonprofit organization in 2009, which she named Zebra Crossings. The organization’s name conveys its mission and is inspired by the zebra whose black and white stripes come in different patterns unique to each zebra, much like human fingerprints. A common belief is that the stripes serve as camouflage. When a herd of zebras stand together, they appear as one and more powerful than when standing alone. For children who live with a chronic medical condition, it is similar. Each child is a unique individual, but they also have a lot in common and they can relate to each other because of their medical conditions. In Europe a zebra crossing is what is known as a crosswalk in the United States. Zebra Crossings’ programs are intended to inspire children, help them grow, gain confidence and independence, and serve as a safe passageway to their everyday life.
Programs allow children to renew their spirits through opportunities for play and to connect them with others who are facing similar challenges. Together they have new experiences, can be worry free for a while, and build lasting friendships. Zebra Crossings’ programs are tailored to the pace and medical needs of participants, and are designed to develop each child’s skills, boost their independence, and reduce anxiety related to their medical condition. Participants engage in team building activities, games, sports, swimming, crafts, and more. Through their experiences, participants learn and discover things about themselves that they can apply to their daily lives moving forward.
