International Youth Day is commemorated annually on August 12, bringing youth issues to the attention of the international community. Established by the United Nations, the day promotes better awareness of youth-focused programs and positions young people as important partners in global efforts.
The NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) invests in community-based organizations and programs to alleviate poverty effects and provide opportunities for New Yorkers to flourish. They recently announced the expansion of after-school programs with 20,000 new K-5 after-school seats over three years, including 5,000 this fall. Learn more about the After-school Expansion, find programs near you, and view the list of new school locations here.
NYC Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks) also offers the Summer Sports Experience, an instructional youth program that teaches sports skills to children ages 8-14. Key program features include:
- FREE to attend
- Drop-in format for flexible participation
- Training in multiple sports including basketball, soccer, volleyball, and more
- Basic and advanced instruction by knowledgeable staff members
The program runs from July through October with events citywide. Explore the complete events calendar and interactive program maps at the official NYC Parks Summer Sports Experience website.
