New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Keith Howard today announced $4.2 million in state grants to provide youth team sports programming, sports education and athletic equipment upgrades across the city.
Approximately $2.3 million has already been distributed, and another $1.9 million is being allocated for this summer to support 41 additional community-based organizations, most of them without existing contracts with the city, according to a press release.
The funding prioritizes historically underserved neighborhoods, including the six priority New York City Police Department (NYPD) precincts identified in “A Blueprint for Community Safety,” a roadmap with solutions to address gun violence throughout the five boroughs.
Among the providers, 17 will provide girls team sports, five target young people who identify as non-binary, and 19 support youth with special needs, according to the press release.
The organizations that have been awarded funding in Brooklyn so far include: Life of Hope, covering police precincts 60, 61 and 62; Infinity Educational Programs, covering precincts 63, 66 and 67; Fencing In The Park and Urban Dove, both covering precincts 68, 69 and 70; Healthjox and New Heights Youth, both covering precincts 71, 72 and 73; Brooklyn Youth Sports Club, covering precincts 75, 76 and 77; Kings County Tennis League, covering precincts 78, 79 and 81; Shatema Williams, covering precincts 83, 84 and 88; and Asphalt Green, covering precincts 90 and 94.
“Playing tournament basketball with my older brother Jimmie Jr. while growing up in the Bronx and during college taught me the value of team sports that goes well beyond the court. I learned about discipline, working with others, self-confidence, and becoming a leader,” said Howard.
