2 minute read
LIGHT IT UP
Next Article
YMCA OF GREATER NEW YORK HOSTS SATURDAY NIGHT LIGHTS PROGRAM
(top) Dodge Y Executive Director Jamel Davis joins Y teens and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Knicks legend John Starks, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and Council Member Lincoln Restler at the Knicks clinic at the Dodge Y. (above, l to r) Council Member Amanda Farías, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, and Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clarke get ready to hoop it up at the Castle Hill Y clinic.
Across the city, 13 YMCAs provide a safe space for teens between the ages of 11 and 18 on Saturday nights through the Department of Youth and Community Development’s Saturday Night Lights program.
This year, the program got a boost as the Y launched a partnership with the New York Knicks that features special basketball clinics where youth can strengthen their ball handling and shooting skills and meet a former Knicks player.
The first four YMCA branches to host the New York Knicks Saturday Night Lights Basketball Clinics were the Jamaica Y, the Dodge Y, the Castle Hill Y, and the Broadway Y.
“It is a priority that the children in our communities have access to safe places to play, as well as great programming so they can enjoy themselves, and these clinics are a great example of bringing everyone together,” said John Starks, New York Knicks Legend.•
New York Knicks legend John Wallace shares his skills and wisdom with Y youth.
Youth run drills at the Jamaica Y.
A Knicks clinic coach trains kids at their level – and keeps them smiling.
The Y has committed to reducing energy consumption, decreasing our carbon footprint, increasing the sustainability of our facilities, and enhancing member experience through strategic investments like this one. The Y plans to install an additional 33 EV charging stations at the Cross Island, North Brooklyn, Long Island City, and Castle Hill branches this year, and aims to make charging stations available at all Y branches with parking lots within the next few years.•
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie Jr. tests out a new charging station at the Northeast Bronx Y.
