DYCD Skate Day 2008
On December 30, hundreds of young people from our Out-of-School Time (OST), Beacon Community Center and Teen ACTION programs met at The Pond at Bryant Park for the Fourth Annual DYCD Skate Day.  This year’s event was generously underwritten by MetLife, which donated skate rentals, refreshments, transportation services and goody bags.  Even better, they brought along Snoopy and the Peanuts gang.  As a token of our appreciation, Commissioner Mullgrav presented a mayoral proclamation to Beth Hirshhorn, Senior Vice President for the Global Brand and Marketing Services at MetLife.  Skate Day is a fun reminder that DYCD programs operate after school, throughout the summer, and during school holidays, including the winter break.
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The 2nd Annual OST Symposium
DYCD Commissioner Jeanne Mullgrav and Guest Speakers at the 2nd Annual OST Symposium.
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Ladders for Leaders BBQ at Gracie Mansion
On August 18, 183 NYC Ladders for Leaders interns celebrated their graduation at Gracie Mansion before an audience of more than 600 guests that included corporate sponsors, mentors, representatives from community-based organizations and proud parents.  Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott presided over the event.  Commissioner Mullgrav was joined on the speakers podium by Commission on Women’s Issues Chair Anne Sutherland Fuchs; L.H. Whelchel, Chief Talent Officer, Young & Rubicam Brands; and Tonie McKenzie, a Ladders intern working at the New York Historical Society.  Deputy Mayor Walcott also announced the five winners of the American Airlines College Tour Competition. 

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Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internships
On August 15, DYCD and the Federal Bureau of Investigation–New York Division held a completion reception for In-School Youth (ISY) participants who interned with the FBI.  This is the second year DYCD has partnered with the FBI to provide internships.  The eight youth who participated underwent a lengthy selection process that included a personal security interview, background check and mandatory polygraph.  Their tasks included mailroom duties, computer technology assistance, website maintenance and setup and clerical duties within special units of the FBI.

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Independent Evaluation of Out-of-School Time Initiative Showcases Success of High School Programs (in PDF ) - July 30, 2008

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Father’s Day Event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
On June 14, DYCD sponsored a Father’s Day event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Kings and Heroes honored graduates of DYCD’s Fatherhood Initiative, which helps non-custodial fathers reconnect with their children and actively participate in their lives. Commissioner Robert Doar from the Human Resources Administration and Dr. Ronald Mincy from Columbia University spoke to the crowd of approximately 100 guests. After being treated to a musical performance by the Oscar-nominated Impact Repertory Theatre, the fathers received certificates recognizing their completion of the program. Museum staff then took the fathers and their children on guided tours. The day ended with a picnic in Central Park.
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The 2008 OST Spelling Bee
On June 14, DYCD and the CUNY Graduate Center hosted the championship round of a citywide spelling bee designed to provide Out-of-School Time (OST) participants from all five boroughs with an opportunity to improve their vocabulary, enhance spelling skills, and have fun while learning. The 54 finalists earned a trip to the finals after successfully competing in borough-wide competitions held last month. All contestants received medals and gift bags. The winner was Samara Lugo, who is a resident of Staten Island and participates in the OST program operated by the Children’s Aid Society at the Goodhue Community Center. She received a personal computer. The winning word was “sleuth.”
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The First Annual Beacon Girls Middle School Basketball League Championship Game
On June 14, DYCD staged the first annual Girls Middle School Basketball League Championship Game at Madison Square Garden.  The league is sponsored by Nike, which provides uniforms and equipment. Approximately 1,000 adolescent girls participated in league, which uses basketball to promote fitness, community service and healthy relationships. Theresa Witherspoon and Kym Hampton, who played for the New York Liberty, and radio personality DJ Jazzy Joyce helped make the event a memorable one.  The 2008 Championship game was won by the Lady Lions from the Samuel Field Y Beacon Program at MS 158.
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Independent Evaluation of the Out-of-School Time (OST) Initiative Highlights Successes (in PDF )- February 22, 2008

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Deputy Mayor Dennis M. Walcott and DYCD Commissioner Jeanne B. Mullgrav announced the formation of the ICC Middle School Work Group at Quaterly Meeting
On February 19, Deputy Mayor Dennis M. Walcott and DYCD Commissioner Jeanne B. Mullgrav announced the formation of the ICC Middle School Work Group at the Tweed Court House.  In support of Mayor Bloomberg's commitment to providing middle school students with the skills they need to meet performance-based standards and succeed in high school, the new work group will help ICC member agencies design and coordinate services for this population. The audience of approximately 100 people included ICC member agencies, community-based organizations and other stakeholders. The program consisted of presentations on the needs of middle school youth from Andrés Henriquez, Carnegie Corporation; Patrick Montesano, Academy for Educational Development; Evie Hantzopoulos, Global Kids; Lori Bennett, Department of Education; Nina Aledort, Department of Juvenile Justice; and Richard Fish, DYCD.
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Harlem Billboard
Photo by: Eleny M. Ynoa
The Nike and Beacon Programs Billboard Photography Project Photos
On January 7, 2008 Nike unveiled three community billboards across the New York metropolitan area featuring photography from youth living in its surrounding communities. Together with the Department of Youth & Community Development's Beacon Programs, The Community Billboard Project was created as a vehicle for youth to exhibit their connection to their community through photography. Ninety youth Beacon Participants from the Research Foundation - MS 2 in Brooklyn, the Harlem Children's Zone - MS 54, and The Southern Queens Park Association - JHS 8, were armed with disposable cameras and a mission to capture their daily lives in their community through film.

From the many photographs submitted, one image from each community was selected to appear on one of the three Community Billboards in the Brooklyn, Harlem, and Queens metropolitan areas. These Billboards exhibit images captured by Manika Nestor of Brooklyn, Eleny M. Ynoa of Harlem, and Joquin Tatum of Queens. Following the installation of the Billboards, each community center celebrated their winner by hosting open exhibitions of their work for the community and their family and friends.
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