Youth Center Needed for our area
A long story about the building on park pl and washington. Reality right now is we need a youth center especially for 11238 and the surrounding zip codes. Condos being built by the minute and not one place for our future, the youth that are being misled, misguided, unloved, uneducated and the most complained about by adults. Please help me find an address that looks suitable (for a youth center) so I can personally communicate with the elected officials so we can start a very much needed and positive project. 33 yr resident of the neighborhood and I am sure this is not my own personal dream!
Comments
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off the top of my head, there are some pre-existing neighborhood places that could be used for supervised youth activities. maybe some local pool players could teach youngsters to play pool at brownstone. or maybe some local knitters could teach kids to knit at le gamin, heights coffee, saje or joyce's after school. I've been to tavern on dean on friday and saturday nights when that back/side room (the one that's vaguely patio-like) is pretty empty - maybe have board game nights there. frisbee at the park? the local museums after school?
I guess the issue is more one of organization. I'd happily go to tavern on dean once or twice a month to play (and lose) monopoly but I definitely don't have time to organize such an event. I wouldn't even know where or how to begin. -
Subject: Re: Youth Center Needed for our area
howdareu wrote: A long story about the building on park pl and washington. Reality right now is we need a youth center especially for 11238 and the surrounding zip codes. Condos being built by the minute and not one place for our future, the youth that are being misled, misguided, unloved, uneducated and the most complained about by adults. Please help me find an address that looks suitable (for a youth center) so I can personally communicate with the elected officials so we can start a very much needed and positive project. 33 yr resident of the neighborhood and I am sure this is not my own personal dream!
what kind of space are you looking for? could such a project be started through prospect heights h.s. up by the brooklyn museum? tell us more! -
Subject: youth center
There used to be a very nice after school program at prospect heights a long time ago. I need more information about starting that back up and who was responsible for it when it was running. I mentioned that at a meeting in the church on sterling n underhill about p.s. 9. I think those places that were mentioned by Ms A was good too. It can start here with the ideas and i will do my best to get it going. -
Space looking for starters that at least can hold up to 25 young adults with space for reading,arts and crafts,exercise routines, basically space for constructive activities
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Subject: youth center
Don't know much about finding space for youth centers or funding for startup non-profits, etc, and this is totally off the point, but I often think about a program for teens involving P. Park and cycling. I've read about orgs that take kids on bikes out of urban areas, but what about one that would keep them around? I'm pretty sure that there are programs already doing things in some parks in the city and within the biking community, but maybe there's a way to get something started here in 11238. Obviously not an answer to the larger question, but maybe there's a way to bring other communities who are already doing similar things into the discussion.
My little fantasy involved a startup pilot with a school nearby--possible grant funding--maybe even tied into city dollars that might go out designated to get NYers healthy and moving or for afterschool activites for kids. I envisioned it as a program starting out with volunteers, but ultimately could be passed on to the pilot kids who could run it/get paid/etc. Maybe middle school to high. I've always just fantasized about it because there are so many things to consider--where to get the bikes/can you give them to the kids/if not, storage/weather issues---is it a spring program/fall program/what to do in winter?
I have no experience with fundraising or starting such a program..so you know what---I'm throwing my idea out there. Maybe someone does here. Maybe howdareyou? Maybe if you get your center, we could just organize something around it.
I know this is off topic, but I've often thought about it riding in the park. Maybe the group below would have some advice.
http://www.recycleabicycle.org/node/33
http://www.recycleabicycle.org/node/26 -
Subject: Re: youth center
Flo wrote: Don't know much about finding space for youth centers or funding for startup non-profits, etc, and this is totally off the point, but I often think about a program for teens involving P. Park and cycling. I've read about orgs that take kids on bikes out of urban areas, but what about one that would keep them around? I'm pretty sure that there are programs already doing things in some parks in the city and within the biking community, but maybe there's a way to get something started here in 11238. Obviously not an answer to the larger question, but maybe there's a way to bring other communities who are already doing similar things into the discussion.
Great idea, but not without some serious obstacles. I have a couple of friends who started just such a "mentoring" cycling program back in the early 90's in Bushwick. The lost their city funding after Dinkins and the program was disbanded, so i suspect that gov't funding would be a real challenge.
My little fantasy involved a startup pilot with a school nearby--possible grant funding--maybe even tied into city dollars that might go out designated to get NYers healthy and moving or for afterschool activites for kids. I envisioned it as a program starting out with volunteers, but ultimately could be passed on to the pilot kids who could run it/get paid/etc. Maybe middle school to high. I've always just fantasized about it because there are so many things to consider--where to get the bikes/can you give them to the kids/if not, storage/weather issues---is it a spring program/fall program/what to do in winter?
I have no experience with fundraising or starting such a program..so you know what---I'm throwing my idea out there. Maybe someone does here. Maybe howdareyou? Maybe if you get your center, we could just organize something around it.
I know this is off topic, but I've often thought about it riding in the park. Maybe the group below would have some advice.
http://www.recycleabicycle.org/node/33
http://www.recycleabicycle.org/node/26
Recycle a Bicycle is another interesting organization. Check out their myspace page - http://www.myspace.com/rab_rideclub for some upcoming riding programs. My old cycling club is putting on a fundraising race for them next month - brooklynveloforce.org for more info. -
http://www.fphny.org/p_childhood_obesity.php
Like I said, I don't have any experience in getting funding for these kinds of programs, but perhaps there could be a tie-in to health...maybe something like the program mentioned above... -
There are already a LOT of youth programs in the area -- Prospect Park Alliance has a teen council, the Brooklyn Children's museum has lots of events for kids, Ifetayo Cultural Arts has programs that are in the Brooklyn Academy for Science and the Environment on Classon Avenue, the Brooklyn Museum has kids programming, the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza has lots of kids readings, a teen council, etc. I think it would be wise to steer kids to existing programs rather than starting up yet another struggling nonprofit. I'm sure some of the local faith-based institutions have after school activities as well. So my advice give money and volunteer for existing programs to make them stronger.
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Maybe I'm naive and being a bit cynical, but do you folks REALLY think that the kids that need this the most (i.e. those inclined to get into trouble) are going to use a youth center if made available to them?
I don't. -
BrookFetish wrote: Maybe I'm naive and being a bit cynical, but do you folks REALLY think that the kids that need this the most (i.e. those inclined to get into trouble) are going to use a youth center if made available to them?
I'm as cynical as the next guy. (more actually.) You're probably right that the kids who are most inclined to get in trouble wouldn't utilize the services described, but if some kids who are teetering between trouble and straight-and-narrow were presented with positive options, perhaps *they* would use it.
I don't. -
joncane wrote: [quote=BrookFetish]Maybe I'm naive and being a bit cynical, but do you folks REALLY think that the kids that need this the most (i.e. those inclined to get into trouble) are going to use a youth center if made available to them?
I'm as cynical as the next guy. (more actually.) You're probably right that the kids who are most inclined to get in trouble wouldn't utilize the services described, but if some kids who are teetering between trouble and straight-and-narrow were presented with positive options, perhaps *they* would use it.
I don't.
I like this response...makes a lot of sense to me. -
Subject: yc
all those programs sounds nice, makes me wonder why the youth in this area have no idea that they are running -
I am sure if a center well known to all and running properly was in this neighborhoood it would be successful
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screw the youth center, we need some good education camp for parents and their kids.
these kids wouldn't use the services of these places.
nice kids wouldn't cause trouble. -
armchair_warrior wrote: screw the youth center, we need some good education camp for parents and their kids.
maybe this camp could be hosted in your backyard?! :P
these kids wouldn't use the services of these places.
nice kids wouldn't cause trouble. -
I don't like the use of the word "camp" in this context at all, armchair. I'm not trying to Godwin this thread or anything. Instead, let's just say you're coming off a little too Hồ Chà Minh .
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If i get to educated them sure why not;) in my back yard.
how bout education center. -
armchair_warrior wrote: If i get to educated them sure why not;) in my back yard.
did he really say that "educated them"
how bout education center. -
howdareu wrote: I am sure if a center well known to all and running properly was in this neighborhoood it would be successful
If you are serious about this please contact Ms. D'Avilar (principal of PS 9) or Ms. Jacobs (parent coordinator). Both of these ladies are extremely open to community involvement and would bend over backwards to help the children of our neighborhood. I know many of the teachers and parents have sent letters and attended rallies to fight for funding for afterschool programs. PS 9 is also runs a Saturday Academy so I know the school is open on weekends.
PS - Dont forget to support these wonderful teachers and students by attending the Taste of Prospect Heights on June 2 *** sorry shameless plug but someone's gotta do it
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howdareu wrote: [quote=armchair_warrior]If i get to educated them sure why not;) in my back yard.
did he really say that "educated them"
how bout education center.
Yes, but in armchair-speak, I *think* he meant "if I get to educate them" or "if I get to educate then" -- you kinda have to be a bit zen in interpreting armchair's unique approach to the language arts. -
thank you stacey, I do know Ms. C Jacobs and I do need to call her and see what they have to offer for the summer
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Subject: Youth center Location
I have thought for 3 years, that the large warehouse building that spans the block between St MArks ave and Prospect, a few doors off Washington which is currently housing a medical supply house, would be a great youth center.
It has a for sale sign on it again.
I think what people are responding to is that kids need a place TO GO. Otherwise they are bored and hanging out on the street and breaking stuff. (I know of what I speak -- i totaled a car at 17.)
Kids need a location to hang out. To meet their friends. This warehouse is a perfect location near the basketball courts on St marks at the school and big enough to have dance classes, karate, theater, a computer lab with free internet etc. -
Yeah, but the problem is that most of these kids are looking to hang WITHOUT adult supervision. The teens already have the capability to take part in activities. They can come and go as they please, walk to the local parks to play ball, go to the library, etc.
The problem is they don't want to. They are drawn to the excitment of living on the edge and sucumb to the peer pressure that tells them doing anything positive is nerdy, acting white, being part of the establishment etc. This is a message that is very subtly supported by everything around them including television, movies and in some cases their parents and families. Until you figure out how to create a different paradigm for these kids, all of the community centers in the world won't change them. -
thank you reno thats what i needed, negative comments are so opinionated and irrevelant
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I am really into the idea of a community and/or youth center in our area. I see posters at the bus stops for the one in Bed-Sty but something closer would be great!
I would be totally down to volunteer (I have other volunteer obligations so it couldn't be that often...and obviously do not have time to organize)...
But I would also try organizing with the folks at Heart of Brooklyn on Washington. I have a feeling they might be down to get involved. -
Men, consider being a big brother. The program is high on female volunteers and low on male volunteers. What a lot of these young male teens need is a father figure to guide them.
http://www.bigsnyc.org/ -
...makes me miss the teen shelter on Sterling between Washington and Underhill with kids screaming and fighting all night and even public sex acts on the steps of the building...ask the old folks on the block how much they miss that place...better yet, ask Gus at Tom's about it and step right up for an earful...
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brooklyn and double will look you up when things get started i hold a yearly event for the kids on st johns and could always use extra hands
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Here's an event for neighborhood kids looking for stuff to do this summer:
The Crown Heights Coalition
Presents
Summer Solutions
The Crown Heights Coalition is a collective of community leaders who have come together to recognize the strength and resources in our community and to seek positive solutions to the problem of violence.
Co-Sponsors
Kings County District Attorney’s Office, Damon Allen Foundation, American Friends Service Committee, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence
Saturday, June 9th
from 10am to 2pm
P.S. 289 at 900 St. Marks
near Kingston Avenue
Also, please join Assemblyman Karim Camara for a FREE LUNCH at 12:00
Come Learn About:
Summer Employment Opportunities for Teenagers
Summer programs for kids
Ongoing extra-curricular and academic programs for youth
Suppport services for families in our community
For more Information:
Annie Durston 212 598 0964
Lauren Baranco 718 756 1776
Assemblyman Karim Camara’s Office -
Saint Theresa has a gym in their building. Right now the building is not being utilized. If we can contact the owners, they might reopen the building as a neighborhood youth center. Repairs can be done by neighborhood trades ppl. They can donate their much needed talents to bring new life to the unused building. Saint Theresa is a church that had a school years ago. It is located on Saint Johns Place between Classon Avenue and Franklin Avenue. It is closer to Classon Avenue.
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