Beacon Youth

Located in public schools across New York City (City) and operating year-round in non-school hours on weekdays, weekends and in the summer, each Beacon transforms its host school into a resource for the whole community by offering an integrated range of programming tailored to local needs. For all participants, especially youth, Beacons offer a safe place to engage in recreational activities, discover new interests, acquire skills, and find opportunities to contribute to the community, guided and supported by program staff. 

The Beacons provide activities and services for school-age youth, families, and adults ages 22 years and older, including seniors. In keeping with the original concept, programs make special efforts to engage hard-to-recruit youth and young adults for whom participation in activities that foster positive youth development, social emotional learning (SEL) and leadership skills are especially beneficial.

Typical programs are intended to build:

• Academic Enhancement: Activities designed to help with school, including tutoring, homework help, reading clubs, and financial literacy
• Life Skills: Activities designed to increase personal responsibility, self-esteem, and confidence.
• Career Awareness/School to Work Transition: Activities designed to educate young people on career opportunities and assist with the transition to work or higher education. Activities include career exploration workshops, work readiness opportunities, help transitioning from middle school to high school and from high school to college/vocational programs.
• Civic Engagement/Community Building: Activities designed to strengthen leadership skills, community awareness, and civic responsibility.
• Recreation/Health & Fitness: Activities designed to promote healthy lifestyles such as cooking programs and organized sports.
• Culture/Art: Activities designed to provide students with opportunities to express themselves through music, dance, photography, and drama.

Enrollment Dates

• Enrollment is ongoing throughout the year

Program Requirements

• Ages 5—21

 

 

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This website is supported by Grant Number 68017D from the Office of Community Services within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Community Services Program.