Program “Saturday Night Lights” offers its activities in 100 gyms in New York City – Telemundo New York (47)

NEW YORK – New York City launched the program “Saturday Night Lights” over the weekend with the opening of 100 gyms across the five boroughs offering free Saturday night sports programs for minors, the New York City Police Department and other community agencies announced.

The program is backed by a commitment of $ 5 million in core funding that Mayor Bill de Blasio included in the “Recovery Budget“from fiscal year 2022. This ensures that indoor gyms do not close on Saturday nights so that the minors who need them most can use them.

The gyms will be open every Saturday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm for those ages 11 to 18 to enjoy a variety of indoor sports, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, dance, martial arts and more.

“This program, focused on enhancing youth development, is an exciting step forward for the NYPD and our partners to continue building trust and creating opportunities for children in New York City neighborhoods,” said the NYPD Commissioner. Police Dermot Shea. “This has always been important, but it has never been more important than right now,” he added.

A key component of the program is matching the police with the children. NYPD campus youth coordinating officer teams will be at each of the 100 gyms every Saturday night, helping train and engaging with members of various community organizations to engage with youth and help make a lasting impact. and positive in their lives.

“Saturday Night Lights” is a main component of NYPD Kids First, a recently announced philosophy that builds on the Police Commissioner’s mission to take neighborhood policing to the next level through initiatives to protect and serve all of New York City’s children, prevent violence, and connect with kids.

Using asset forfeiture funds, the NYPD has worked closely with NYCHA and community leaders to restore 15 damaged outdoor basketball courts and to launch a new soccer field at Colonel Charles Young Park in Harlem. The expansion of “Saturday Night Lights“activates underutilized spaces by bringing exceptional athletic programs and activities, free of charge, to more neighborhoods where children live and connecting them with high-quality coaches and mentors.

“It establishes a connection between our Police officers and our children, because our officers are there for them. This is the focus on helping youth that Commissioner Shea has been talking about so much. It’s a way to proactively keep people safe. “Saturday Night Lights“A wonderful initiative,” de Blasio said Monday during his press conference.

The expansion builds on an initiative started a decade ago by Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, Jr. with a gym in an Upper Manhattan neighborhood. Under the leadership of District Attorney Vance, “Saturday Night Lights“It grew to 20 gyms, 12 of them in Manhattan and eight spread across the city. Now it reaches 100 gyms across the city.

The program will be administered by the Department of Youth and Community Development and operated by various Community Organizations. In addition to the DYCD, the NYPD and the five district attorney’s offices. It also has the participation of key agencies such as the City Department of Education, the Parks Department, the New York City Housing Authority, the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and NY / NJ HIDTA, as well as associated foundations, including the New York City Police Foundation, the First Responders Children’s Foundation, the Mandela Foundation, Toys for Tots, Good 360 Y Franklin Toys.

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