80 Beacon Programs Address Needs of Young People Around the City
by Michael Ognibene

When hundreds of young people and community members gather at I.S. 488 in Morningside Heights every week to learn about African dance, the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) celebrates another successful Beacon Community Center. Since the first 10 Beacons were established in 1991, the Beacon Program has developed into an award winning nationally recognized model of out-of-school time community programming that serves over 1,200 youth and 150 adults at each of the 80 sites throughout New York City every year.

DYCD provides funding to community-based and other non-profit organizations that operate Beacon programs in schools in all five boroughs. Beacons provide a broad range of services to youth aged six and above, families and local community residents. With each Beacon’s program tailored to meet the needs of its local community, services offered during the hours when youth are not in school often include homework and tutorial assistance, literacy programs, computer courses, cultural activities and structured recreation. Beacons also offer evening programs including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), financial literacy classes and Adult GED.

Beacons operate year round, including weekends, holidays, and during school breaks, to ensure that activities continue during the times that school is not in session. The Beacon program model requires extensive partnerships and linkages with other local entities including police precincts, community district boards, school personnel, religious and business organizations and other government agencies in order to maximize resources and services to participating youth and adults. To find out about a Beacon program in your neighborhood, contact the DYCD Office of External Relations at (212) 442-6009.#

Michael Ognibene is the Deputy Chief of Staff, Department of Youth and Community Development.

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