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New York Edge Board Members joined high school students from City As School for a fun and exciting evening of Speed Mentoring. During the event student spoke with each mentor for a ten minute session of questions and answers. We were so excited to hear the hopes and dreams of these eager young adults.

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BY JOHN ALEXANDER • OCTOBER 28, 2019 @ 11:30 AM

BAY RIDGE — A packed room of enthusiastic kindergarten through fifth grade students at P.S. 264, the Bay Ridge Elementary School for the Arts, gathered to greet Lt. Gov.Kathy Hochul and members of New York Edge, the largest provider of afterschool programs in the city.

Hochul was there to salute the 20^th annual Lights On Afterschool program, which allows schools to stay open after hours, and to celebrate the impact it’s had on children who’ve participated in the program. Hochul and District 20 schools Superintendent Karina Costantino were given a tour of the school by Principal Marisa Bolognino.

Following the tour, they were joined by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Rachael Gazdick, CEO of New York Edge. They all watched the students, who worked in groups of five or six on their afternoon project, building a free-standing lighthouse tower out of 30 straws and cellophane tape with a tiny light on top.

“At New York Edge, we support 40,000 students in all five boroughs of New York City and over 130 schools,” Gazdick told this paper.

“We just believe in the power of afterschool education and the opportunity to really tap into kids’ gifts and talents in sports, art, STEM and our college access program. We have the largest college access program in the city of New York. So, it’s just an honor to work with these young, bright minds and see them shine and ignite their potential,” she added.

She also explained that New York Edge has transitional centers, with some sites staying open as late as 9 or 10 p.m. so they can meet the needs of children all across the spectrum.

“Do you know what New York Edge means? Do you know what getting an edge means?” Hochul asked. “It means you’re getting ahead of everyone else with the edge you need to be successful in life. Forty thousand of you are being advantaged by New York Edge which is supported by the state of New York,” she explained.

Hochul called the Lights On Afterschool program “a way to keep the lights in your schools after hours, which is where you are now. It allows you to stay here and learn things and have fun with your friends,” she added. Hochul presented New York Edge with a proclamation front the state.

Kindergarten student Grace Lee said she loved the program and especially enjoyed art and coloring. Adrian Ciuzadio said he liked the afterschool sports program and Sophia said she liked both gym and art.

Gounardes walked around and visited with each group of kids. “After school programs are vital to a child’s growth and education,” he told this paper. “That’s why I was happy to go with Lt. Gov.Hochul to visit The New York Edge at P.S. 264 as part of Lights On Afterschool, the national celebration of the importance of afterschool programs in the lives of children and families!”

This article originally appeared in the Brooklyn Reporter

New York Edge education professionals were honored to present to The Association of New York State Youth Bureaus (ANYSYB) and the Coalition for Homeless Youth at their 49th Annual Youth Development Training in Albany, NY. Youth development experts from across the state and country convened to share ideas, learn best practices, and exchange knowledge on issues pertaining to positive youth development, prevention services, healthy living, and high-risk youth. 

Margie Baker, Director of Education and Carla Rosado, Program Manager presented a session called TOP QUALITY Targeting Optimal Program Quality Using Assessment Leadership Infusion, Teams, and Youth. The presentation highlighted the four-pronged approach used in the New York Edge Y-LEAD (youth leadership infusion) program that incorporates youth and staff development; tiered coaching; program assessment and evaluation; and data-driven program adjustment.

Rigaud Noel, Chief Partnership Officer New York Edge ran a very popular workshop Sustaining and Growing Your Agency through Grants Writing and Management. Participants learned the basics of grants writing as well as engaged in team activities that simulate an internal grants review process. They learned best practices in managing grant deadlines; quality control checks; identifying private funding, and developing sustainability plans.

Michelle Durante, Director of Arts and Ralph Labianca, Director of Sports & Wellness led a group to explore MINDfulness & Self-Care: Fostering Resilience with Your Youth. Teaching & learning = HARD WORK! Self-care is a simple (or not so simple) task of taking time and space to attend to your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. The participates explored how sports and arts activity can aid in Physical and Emotional Health: Stress Management for Youth. 

All these sessions were approved as SACC Training Credit an essential professional development tool. 

New York Edge and the New York Mets Join Forces to Inspire Kids to Stay Active and Healthy

“Mets on the Move” will Give New York Edge Students a Fun Way to Learn About Fitness Through a Mets-Inspired Curriculum Provided by Mets Staff

New York, NY – October 21, 2019 –  New York Edge — the metropolitan region’s largest provider of afterschool programs — is joining forces with the New York Mets to inspire kids to lead active and healthy lives through the Mets on the Move program presented by Subway.

Through the “Mets on the Move” program—a larger effort by the Mets to foster exercise and wellness among youth—New York Edge students will participate in a series of afterschool fitness classes led by Mets staff. The curriculum includes a series of exercises and fun interactive workouts designed by Mets staff and trainers and visits from Mr. Met. Each child that completes the workout of the day will receive a fun Mets-themed prize!

In total, more than 900 New York Edge students from 18 middle schools across the five boroughs are participating in the program, which launched earlier this month. 

“There’s a certain excitement that comes with working with the New York Mets,” said Rachael Gazdick, CEO of New York Edge. “For our students, that excitement translates into a greater interest in fitness and motivation to lead healthier lives.”

For more than 25 years, New York Edge has addressed the needs and goals of under-resourced schools through customized, curriculum-based afterschool programming. Today, the Queens-based nonprofit provides more than 40,000 students in grades K-12 with rigorous, innovative programs designed to give them the edge needed to succeed.

Partner Spotlight

Jon Hyman, knows that success doesn’t come easily. As a kid, he suffered from debilitating migraines, while at the same time worrying about whether his family could pay the bills each month.

But he also had a passion for coding, which helped him earn a full scholarship to Harvard University and led to the co-founding of Braze, where he currently serves as Chief Technology Officer.

Braze is a customer engagement platform that facilitates real-time experiences between brands and customers in a more authentic and human way.

Nowhere is that humanity clearer than in the efforts Braze has made on behalf of New York Edge. Since 2016, they’ve been active partners first with SASF and now helping New York Edge students gain access to technology education and mentors who look like and come from the same communities as our students. Braze has exposed students to careers in tech they never knew existed and empowered them to aspire to a workplace where all are respected, treated fairly, and heard.

On Thursday, September 5th, the New York Edge Young Professional Council hosted a fundraiser that didn’t only offer spectacular views but also a crucial point of view. This year marked the 6th anniversary of the non-profit’s annual fundraiser which is, along with the Back to School Event on September 2nd, designed to provide means for a successful start of the new school year. Read more…