The New York City Program”Saturday Night Lights“, which seeks to offer free, safe and attractive activities for young people such as different sports, expanded to 25 additional sites, Mayor Eric Adams announced Wednesday.
The measure is given thanks to an additional investment of $1.25 million to the program.
The program provides a productive Saturday night venue for activities during traditionally high crime times. This seeks that young people improve their relationship with the Police and have a space that offers them a better future through healthy activities.
Youth can enjoy a variety of indoor activities at 131 sites throughout the five boroughs, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, dance, martial arts and more.
Saturday Night Lights is an interagency partnership through the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), the New York City Department of Education (DOE) and the New York City Department of Education and the Department of Parks and Recreation. They all work with the city’s five District Attorney’s Offices and community organizations that administer the programs.
The program aims to activate underutilized spaces, build trust between law enforcement and communities, and help youth develop the skills, knowledge, and meaningful relationships necessary to reach their full potential. A key component of the program is bringing together law enforcement and youth with teams of youth liaison officers from New York’s police districts. Officers train and interact with participants to make a lasting, positive impact on their lives.
Gyms will be open on Saturdays from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for seven weeks in the summer, through August 20, and during the school year from September 10, 2022 through June 24, 2023.
“Saturday Night Lights is about changing lives and ensuring no youth is left behind,” said Mayor Adams. “We are building trust between the police, the community and our youth, while also supporting youth in every district of this city. And we’re proud to expand this program to reach more youth in underserved neighborhoods where they can have a safe, fun, and productive place to meet and play sports. We’re all in this together, and it’s about giving young people another choice and keeping our city safe when crime is most likely to happen.”
Saturday Night Lights was released in a single Harlem gym in 2011.
For details on the initiative and to find a youth program visit the sitio web de Saturday Night Lights here.
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