ANNUAL REPORT 2018–2019
Dear Friends, Asphalt Green impacts the lives of thousands of New Yorkers every year. The people who walk through our doors come from different backgrounds, but they have one thing in common: the desire to improve their lives through the power of sports and fitness. We are committed to providing access to athletics for all New Yorkers, from the first-time swimmer who is afraid of the water to an athlete with hopes of competing at the Olympics. Asphalt Green is a unique nonprofit that encompasses New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds. We take great pride in our high-quality sports, fitness, and aquatics programs and free opportunities for children and seniors at our campuses and throughout the five boroughs. Our programs make a difference every day of the year. Students’ grades and behavior improve after participating in our active recess program, a child shows sportsmanship by giving the opposing a team a high five in our Community Sports Leagues, or a Waterproofing student learns how to swim and feels more confident inside and outside of the pool. Asphalt Green’s community programs teach the values of leadership, sportsmanship, and self-esteem while encouraging a love of sports. This report highlights the accomplishments of our organization during the 2018–2019 fiscal year. Our free programs continued to thrive and expand, and turnout for our public events hit record numbers — over 3,500 people attended Asphalt Screams! At the elite level, I am proud to report that three athletes on our competitive swim team have qualified for the 2020 US Olympic Trials, and we cannot wait to cheer them on. On behalf of all of us at Asphalt Green, thank you. Your generosity makes what we do possible, and we hope this report will inspire you to continue to support Asphalt Green. Sincerely,
Maggy Siegel executive director
P.S. Our cover star plays in our free soccer program at Roberto Clemente State Park. 1
IMAGINE A NEW YORK WITH A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.
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sphalt Green creates positive change in the lives of New Yorkers through the power of sports and fitness.
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OUR IMPACT IN THE PAST DECADE WATERPROOFING:
35,000 second-graders learned to swim.
COMMUNITY SPORTS LEAGUES:
20,000 middle school students had the opportunity to play team sports.
RECESS ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (REP):
300,000
kids found joy in physical activity during the school day.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Asphalt Green awarded over
SENIOR FITNESS:
$4 million 3,500 in athletic and camp scholarships.
older adults improved their mobility and reduced fall risk. 3
WATERPROOFING
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ew York is surrounded by water, but many New Yorkers from low-income neighborhoods do not have access to swim lessons. Waterproofing makes learning to swim part of the school day. The 35-week program gives New York City public school students free swim and water safety instruction weekly at our campuses and at our partner pools in Manhattan and the Bronx.
WHY WE SWIM: Swimming is a life-saving skill. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1-14. Teachers report a correlation between
Waterproofing and better grades and behavior in the classroom. 4
PARENT SEES TRANSFORMATION IN CHILD THROUGH WATERPROOFING
When Frank’s* son, Jeff*, started Waterproofing, he didn’t know how to swim. Initially, Jeff was shy near water. He stayed in the shallow end of the pool and was scared. Slowly, his swimming improved and he gained confidence in his skills. Jeff started looking forward to going to the pool, and the class was a motivator for good behavior — poor behavior resulted in sitting out of Waterproofing. Frank has noticed a difference in his son’s academic performance and physical fitness. Most importantly, his mind is at ease knowing his child is equipped to swim. “Now, my son knows how to swim, so the ocean feels accessible to him,” Frank says. “He’s comfortable in the pool and looks forward to water activities more than he ever has.” *NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED.
My son knows how to swim, so the ocean feels accessible to him. He’s comfortable in the pool and looks forward to water activities more than he ever has. WATERPROOFING PARENT P.S. 140M
IMPACT:
3,050 second-graders learned swim and water safety skills this past year. 5
COMMUNITY SPORTS LEAGUES
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ids who do not have access to sports in school have the opportunity to get in the game through Asphalt Green’s Community Sports Leagues. Our free flag football, basketball, and soccer leagues for middle school students help kids excel on the field and beyond.
WHY WE PLAY: 2.6 million fewer kids play sports today than five years ago. ASPEN INSTITUTE
Kids learn how to balance academics and athletics. Community Sports Leagues teach lifelong lessons in
leadership, self-esteem, teamwork, time management, and confidence. 6
FROM PLAYER TO COACH: COMMUNITY SPORTS LEAGUES COME FULL CIRCLE FOR SEAN MEDINA Sean Medina, a high school senior at The Facing History School, got his start in organized athletics through Asphalt Green’s Community Sports Leagues. He shined in basketball and flag football. When he aged out of the league, he continued to play in high school and is now the captain of the basketball team. Sean says, “I knew I wanted to pursue sports since sixth grade. [Community Sports Leagues] allowed me the opportunity to demonstrate my talent and feel confident.” When his former teacher at Bea Fuller Rodgers School, Kelly Finlaw, took over Asphalt Green’s Community Sports Leagues at his middle school, she needed a coach. Sean got the call.
His answer was easy: yes. “I felt this was a great opportunity for me to show my leadership,” Sean says. “I wanted to show that I could lead a team of student-athletes and be a student-athlete myself.” Bea Fuller Rodgers School would not have had a team without Sean’s help. Sean is proud to give back to a league that propelled his passion for sports. “[Asphalt Green] has given me the opportunity to play sports,” Sean says. “Not everyone can afford cleats and uniforms. [Community Sports Leagues] provide for those who need it most.”
[Asphalt Green] has given me the opportunity to play sports. Not everyone can afford cleats and uniforms. [Community Sports Leagues] provide for those who need it most. SEAN MEDINA Community Sports League coach
IMPACT:
750 kids played in an Asphalt Green Community Sports League in the 2018-2019 school year. 7
RECESS ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (REP)
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EP brings organization and physical activity to the most underutilized part of the school day — recess. Asphalt Green sees recess as an opportunity for kids to develop healthy exercise habits and social skills. We train play coaches to run over 150 organized games that decrease conflict and increase self-esteem, safety, and fun.
WHY WE GET ACTIVE: Approximately 40 percent of US schools have either eliminated or reduced recess. USA TODAY
Students at schools with REP are 52 percent more active than those who attend non-REP schools.
Active kids score up to 40 percent higher on test scores and are more likely to go to college. ASPEN INSTITUTE
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REP PROVIDES STRUCTURE AT P.S. 161X
Recess at P.S. 161 in the Bronx used to be hectic. Poor behavior, bullying, and fights on the playground were common. When Principal Eliamarie Soto heard about REP, she had a hunch that it would bring structure to the playground. “I wanted [children] to understand that there are ways to move and still have fun,” Eliamarie says. Today, recess at P.S. 161X is more structured, focused, and enjoyable for the students and teachers. “REP provides the opportunity for students to express themselves in a positive, thoughtful way,” Eliamarie says. “The kids look forward to recess. They benefit from the structured games the coach provides.” Eliamarie believes REP has been a crucial component to the environment she wants to build at the school. Kids return to the classroom energized and ready to learn.
“[REP] builds a healthy mind-body connection from a young age, which positively contributes to the school climate,” Eliamarie says. The kids look forward to structured playtime. Take it from fifth-grader Ethan.*
REP provides the opportunity for students to express themselves in a positive, thoughtful way.
Ethan says, “I feel excited. I do my happy dance.”
ELIAMARIE SOTO Principal, P.S. 161X
*NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED.
IMPACT:
42,000 elementary school students participated in REP in the 2018-2019 school year. 9
SENIOR FITNESS
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sphalt Green facilitates physical activity programs for older adults that address the nation’s growing problem of fall-related injuries. We run our innovative fall prevention course, Skills in Motion, at our campuses and partner locations. Our vision is to research the effectiveness of the program and expand it to a larger audience. We also offer reduced-priced memberships and free programs for seniors in low-income housing.
WHY WE STAY ACTIVE AS WE AGE: One in four Americans ages 65+ falls each year. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Seniors who exercise 30 minutes a day live five years longer than those who don’t exercise at all. BRITISH JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE
Exercising as a senior may delay or prevent diseases like diabetes, cancer, stroke, heart disease, and osteoporosis. NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
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SYLVIA GAINS MOBILITY, INDEPENDENCE FROM SKILLS IN MOTION
Sylvia Liff sat outside Asphalt Green’s Upper East Side fitness studio with a smile beaming from her face. She exclaims, “Today, I was on the floor, and I was able to get up!” In September 2019, getting up from the ground would not have been possible. Sylvia is in her mid-80s and has osteoarthritis in her knee. Motivated to maintain her independence, she started attending Skills in Motion classes at Asphalt Green in October 2019. “I didn’t want to lose my mobility,” Silvia says. “If you live in the city and don’t have mobility, you’re in trouble.” Sylvia has not missed a Skills in Motion class since she signed up in mid-October. She grew up in the city, and she has always been a big walker. However, committing to exercise twice per week is a first for Sylvia. She feels comfortable because the class is small and moves at an appropriate pace.
In just three months, everyday activities have become easier. She can bend down to turn the radiator on in her apartment, get in and out of cars to visit her kids in the suburbs, and take public transportation. “[Skills in Motion] makes you more conscious of your movement,” Sylvia says. “I have a bad back, and walking hurts sometimes. Then, like I learned in the class, I started to lift my legs up and [it alleviates some of the pain.]” Skills in Motion is a priority for Sylvia, and she hopes to continue to improve. “For me, mobility is independence,” Sylvia says. “I’m still able to get around the city, which is why I’m doing [the class].”
For me, mobility is independence. I’m still able to get around the city, which is why I’m doing [the class]. SYLVIA LIFF Skills in Motion participant
IMPACT: 500 seniors get fit and active annually. 11
SCHOLARSHIPS
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hildren reach their athletic potential and learn life skills in our organized sports programs. We provide scholarships for kids in need to participate in our Summer Day Camp program and for talented young athletes to play on our competitive teams.
WHY WE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES: 94 percent of women executives are former athletes. ERNST AND YOUNG RESEARCH
Ahletes are more likely than non-athletes to
attend college and earn degrees. ASPEN INSTITUTE
Student athletes cope better with stress and are less likely to suffer from depression than non-athletes. NEXT COLLEGE STUDENT ATHLETE
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SCHOLARSHIP ATHLETE ALYSE RIVERA HAS SIGHTS SET ON COLLEGE SOCCER
I can’t imagine my life without soccer. Without the scholarship, I wouldn’t be here. ALYSE RIVERA Asphalt Green Soccer Club scholarship athlete Alyse Rivera always scores in style. When she was 5 years old, she would slide on the ground to kick the ball in the goal. The more dramatic, the better. Though she has fine-tuned her goal-scoring technique since, Alyse, now 15, has the same fiery passion for soccer (and a knack for finding the back of the net). Now in her second season on a full scholarship playing for the Asphalt Green Soccer Club, she has her sights set on playing in college.
I made friends quickly. I’m happy that I chose to come to [Asphalt Green].” Alyse balances training and school. She trains three to four times per week and plays on her high school team. She believes she does better in school because she plays soccer. “Soccer helps alleviate the stress of school,” Alyse says. “The sport has always been an outlet for me to forget everything and do something that I’m passionate about.”
Asphalt Green Soccer Club coaches discovered Alyse through our free community sports leagues. A coach was impressed by her talent and asked her to try out for the club team.
Alyse’s hard work is paying off, and she wants to continue to improve to earn a spot on a college team. She has learned the value of patience, hard work, humility, and constructive criticism.
Alyse says, “At first I was nervous, but I knew I needed a new challenge. It takes time to get comfortable, but
“I can’t imagine my life without soccer,” Alyse says. “Without the scholarship, I wouldn’t be here.”
IMPACT: Asphalt Green awarded $671,000 in scholarships in 2018-2019. 13
FISCAL YEAR 2019 THE YEAR IN PICTURES
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FISCAL YEAR 2019 FINANCIALS JULY 31, 2018 – JUNE 30, 2019
Program Service Revenue
81% ANNUAL REVENUE
Private Support
18% Government Support
$31,758,802*
1% Program Expenses
71% Capital Expenses ANNUAL EXPENSES*
14% Administrative Costs
13% $35,328,907**
Fundraising Expenses
2% * Includes $2,746,234 of depreciation expenses ** Does not include New York City committed funds for payments completed.
The unaudited financial information set forth is preliminary and subject to adjustments and modifications. Asphalt Green is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. A copy of Asphalt Green’s latest annual financial report may be obtained, upon request, from Asphalt Green, 555 East 90th Street, New York, NY 10128 or from the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau, Attn: FOIL Officer, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
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WITH GRATITUDE TO ALL OF OUR SUPPORTERS… Asphalt Green gratefully acknowledges the City of New York Department of Parks and Recreation, the New York City Council, and the Office of the Manhattan Borough President for their support of our free community programs and capital projects. Gifts made July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019
$500,000 +
$15,000+
$5,000+
George E. and Annette Cross Murphy Charitable Fund Michelle and Howard Swarzman / The Litwin Foundation
Anonymous Jesse Berland / Safety Facility Services Inc. Gregory Blatt Kirsten J. Feldman and Hugh Frater Tommy Gallagher Samantha and Thomas Newman Patricia and Paul Saunders Tory Burch, LLC Elisabeth and Gareth Turner TYR
Adidas Audrie Bann and Jerry Wen Heather Bellini and Kevin Neznek Sandye Berger/ Sol and Margaret Berger Foundation Elise and Andrew Brownstein James F. Capalino / Capalino+Company Susan and Alexander Casdin The Chapin School Karen and Samuel Choi Kim and Thomas Cole Con Edison Cozen O’Connor Credit Suisse Americas Foundation Susan Domcheck and Bob Vonderheide Natalia and Peter Feigin Jeanne Donovan Fisher Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP Gail and Roy Geronemus J.A. Faccibene & Associates Michal and David Kahan Susan and Michael Katzke Seema and Somesh Khanna Kings Point Capital Management LLC Arthur Koenig Andrew S. Koerner Stacy and Thomas Kuhn Nina and Ralph Levene Wan Li and Bruce MacLennan Christine and Kenneth Martin Daniela Mattos-Turcinov and Marko Turcinov Dennis Mehiel Metro Team Sports Madge and Martin Miller Pamela and Gifford Miller Ruth and Theodore Mirvis Nelson Air Device Corp Jeannemarie O’Brien and Yves A.Casimir Paula J. Olsiewski and John Healey Perella Weinberg Partners Shari Pire PJT Partners Alexandra and John Porges Jodi Schwartz and David Blechman Joan Solotar Anne Marjolein Steenbergen
$100,000+ Gray Foundation The Harris Family Charitable Foundation Darcy Miller and Andrew J. Nussbaum Ronald O. Perelman / MacAndrews & Forbes Incorporated FJC - A Foundation of Philanthropic Funds Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz Barrie and Albert Zesiger
$50,000+ Anonymous Nealy and Stewart Clifford Justin Derfner / Charitable Lead Annuity Trust UNDER THE WILL OF LOUIS FEIL Sandy and Burton Freeman Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP Caroline Hribar and Mallon FitzPatrick IAC Jeanne and Samuel Jemal Amanda and Thomas Lister Amanda and Ned Offit Wendy and Ian Sacks Anna and Eugene Schneur / Omni New York LLC
$25,000+ Stacey and Michael Bennett Christa D’Alimonte and Flint Hobart Goldman Sachs & Co. Rebecca Mai and David Mitnick Jennifer and David Millstone Bernard Nussbaum Caryn Siedman-Becker and Marc Becker Anthony Selwyn Tabatznik Locky and Scott Trachsel Two Trees
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$10,000+ Anonymous Apollo Global Management The Arthur Loeb Foundation Sara and Jonathan Banner The Barker Welfare Foundation Sara and Geoffrey Bible Anne and James Bodnar Donya and Scott Bommer Centerview Partners, LLC The Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust Stephen Fishbein Elizabeth and Mark Gormley Susanna Hong Hospital for Special Surgery Lori and David Moore Abigail and Jonathan Moses Peter and Gloria Nussbaum Emily and Damon Pazzaglini PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Frances and Thomas Qualter Rose M. Badgeley Residuary Charitable Trust William Savitt Jennifer M. Shotwell Jackie and Bippy Siegal David Silk Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities Merry Sui Yuan and Robert L. Wu Zog Sports
William Stern Jennifer and Geoff Symonds Andrea and Paul Vizcarrondo, Jr. Cecilia and Mark Vonderheid Pam Wasserstein and Adam Shapiro Jacqui and Peter Weidman Erika Weinberg and Matthew H. Nord Peter Weinberg Elizabeth and Michael Zuppone
$1,000+ Jan Aronson Salvatore Barbieri Yael and Alp Benadrete Anna Luciana Bertoni Blue Smoke Mark F. Bonner Jennifer N. Brazil The Brearley School Butter Beans, Inc. Charina Endowment Fund Judy Chen and Kevin Yao Gabrielle and Stephen Cornick Kelly and Sean Corridon / Chubb Charitable Marcio Cyrillo Elizabeth “Stella” Dellamora Ann Brookman Dey Trinh Doan Maralène Downs William S. Eakins, Jr. Early Family Foundation Deborah and Eric Edell EisnerAmper LLP Nandini Ektare Ming Fang John Finley Marie Fisher Hope and Michael Fitzgerald Polly and Bob Flanigan Flexis Capital Fernando Fontenla Paul Ford, Jr. Antoinette and Trevor Freeman Nancy Greenbaum Sharon and David Greenberg Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, P.C. Christina and Matthew Guerreiro
Maura Hanlon-Grossi and Eugene Grossi Christopher Harris Joan E. Heath David Helpern Jonathan Horowitz Robert L. Horton III Houlihan Parnes Realtors Sharon and Richard Hurowitz Sari and Steven Irgang Anne Keating Janine Keuskamp Carol Kim and Tim Chin Jessica and Tim Kisling Sua and Lane Krevitt Kim and Simon Krinsky Steven Laduzinski Alexander M. Laughlin Jenna Levine Wendy and Garbis Mahmouzian Sara and John Marks Carolyn and Stephen McCandless Mount Sinai Medical Center Wendy and Gregory Myers National Environmental Chemical Corp. Ted Niedermayer David Oliver Katherine and Jordan Orange Marcie and Jordan Pantzer Deborah L. Paul Geoffrey Pitt Betsy and Robert Pitts Vanessa and Fred Rosado Marc Rowan Anthony Scaccia Eleanor and Eugene Schloss Amy Sherman Alexandra and Michael Shuman Maggy Siegel Ellen and Daniel Sigg Natalie and Eiko Stange Kristen and Matthew Stein Judy and Michael Steinhardt Nancy Ann Stern and Samuel Karetsky Martha Stewart Wayne Talsky Kathryn and Ronald Tenpas Jimmy Tse Carol Tweedy and Joseph Antonuccio Lee and Raymond Wareham Anne Waterman Bassin and Darin Bassin Gloria Weissberg Wesley Weissberg and David Goldberg Andrea and Evan Hollander Matthew Williamson Karen Wimmer
$500+
In Kind ($1,000+)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Julie Ader Ahmed Alali Jessica and Scott Bieker Nancy and Robert S. Blank Foundation Marcia and Thomas Borger Amy Cohen Hayley Cort Jeanne Duffy Maria Fisher-Timson and Kevin Timson John Frawley Courtney Goldsmith Lynn Grande / Pfizer Foundation Valoree Celona Hall Lishia Horton-Simmons and Edward Simmons Erika and Mohammad Imam Judith Itkin and Tony Benton Olivia and Max Kamhi Catherine and John Kayola Denise and Paul Lachman Christie Lee Keryn M. Limmer Helen MacFarlane and Kenneth Linge Rebecca Marzen and Anthony Dimarco Susan and Tom McInerney Irene Joyce Melchior Martha Murray Nicole and Bruce Paisner Gregory Plotko Alex Price Dyanne Rosado Sam Schwartz Engineering Kathleen B. Sarg Paul C. Saunders, MD Sean Coakley Plumbing and Heating Evangeline Shih and David Decima Brynja Sigurdardottir and Gudmundur Kristjansson Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center, Inc. Benjamin F. Stapleton III Leesa and Michael Suzman Laura Wolff Alice Wong Janet G. Zinn
Cosmos Communications, Inc. Cynthia Oh and Chris Rhee Emily Roman Benny Vanhulle
Caroline Hribar
In Honorarium
Locky Trachsel
AGUA Seniors - Class of 2019 Katie Duffy Truman Edell Asphalt Green Sports Programs Andrew J. Nussbaum Joey Ravikoff Patricia A. Saunders Alegra Teixidor-Salerno Robert L. Wu
In Memoriam
CO-CHAIRPERSON
Barrie R. Zesiger CO-CHAIRPERSON
VICE-CHAIR
Robert L. Wu TREASURER
Andrea Wenner Hollander SECRETARY
Jon Banner Christa D’Alimonte Justin Derfner
Nicholas Celona Cyril Charles Patricia D. Eastman Andrew Fisher Doug Irgang Ruth Kardish Bernard Nussbaum
William S. Eakins
Community Partners
Thomas Newman
P.S. 125M M.S. 363X P.S. 70X New Settlement Community Center BronxWorks Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center The Brearley School The Equity Project Charter School New York City of Education, Office of School Wellness Programs New York City Department of Health Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness Hospital for Special Surgery Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center East Harlem Tutorial Program
Andrew J. Nussbaum
Kirsten J. Feldman Rowdy Gaines Samuel J. Jemal James Kinderknecht, M.D. David Mitnick
Ned Offit Damon Pazzaglini Travis Rundlet Wendy Sacks Patricia A. Saunders Albert L. Zesiger
HONORARY BOARD
Robert R. Cross
FOUNDERS
Annette C. Murphy George E. Murphy, M.D.
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Maggy Siegel EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Sarah Bennett CHIEF MARKETING & STRATEGY OFFICER
Marcus Farny CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
PHOTOGRAPHY: Emmanuel Abreu, Ally Fox, David Nicholas Photography, Anna Milyaeva, Poby, Jeffrey Valenzuela
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Asphalt Green creates positive change in the lives of New Yorkers through the power of sports and fitness.
UPPER EAST SIDE
555 E. 90th St. (AT YORK AVENUE) (212) 369-8890
BATTERY PARK CITY
212 North End Ave. (AT MURRAY STREET) (212) 298-2900
asphaltgreen.org