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2020a year like no otherFor the past three years the Renaissance Youth Center Gala has played a huge role in how the organization has been able to provide services to young boys and girls in the Bronx throughout the year. This year, at a time of greater need than ever, we will continue in that spirit with a Progressive Gala, hoping to further expand awareness and support for the organization and our mission.

The gala will be virtual of course. It will run for a few days through daily emails, social media posts and videos. We hope to both inform and to entertain!

The pandemic has created greater needs in our community and has impacted the Bronx in ways that most of us cannot fathom. Support in the form of online learning, counseling, food distribution, summer programming and more are in dire need to keep families strong and our streets safe. We are filled with ideas on how to combat the strains COVID-19 has put on us all, and we are working on ideas to address the added burdens imposed both historically and currently on our community in the Bronx

The center has implemented safety protocols for a safe environment and we’re ready to move forward.

We now need your help.

FOR THE COMMUNITY

Our MissionRenaissance Youth Center MissionOur mission is simple: to empower at-risk inner city youth to fully maximize their potential as productive and responsible members of society through dynamic, team-building education, music and sports programs. We offer these opportunities while instilling the importance of building a strong community.

But today our mission is in jeopardyFunding for summer programs has halted due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Pools, parks and other healthy physical and social outlets are limited and often closed. Unemployment is at an all-time high, an unforeseen condition that hit the Bronx hard. Mental and physical wellness is at risk, not only because of the tangible changes in infrastructure that this pandemic has caused, but also due to the trauma our children and families face due to their racial and ethnic backgrounds.

The Bronx, already the poorest congressional district in the country, has now inherited a slew of additional issues. With a high rate of pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, asthma and hypertension, the link to complications from Coronavirus are even greater. Stress from racial trauma only exacerbates underlying conditions that already exist within our children and families.

But we will not give up. We are here for the community. And as always we will continue to foster strong relationships between RYC and our South Bronx family.

FOR THE CHILDREN

FOR NEW YORK

What’s at Stake

77,000 youths will not summer camps to go to this year Numerous NYC summer programs have been canceled Non-profits have been defunded by the city Organizations are forced to pivot to stay-at-home programming Unemployment is at an all-time high Bronx residents have a disproportionate propensity to contract Covid-19 and the list goes on

Programs in the Works

SUMMER SCHOOL LABS

Over 400,000 kids in NYC attend summer school, but learning at home on their own is not ideal. RYC is developing a program to set up labs at available venues in the Bronx. The program will be solely funded by RYC at the expense of $1,125 per child for six weeks.

GIVE-AND-GO BAGS

The bags will contain food and dire supplies for the community. Each bag costs RYC $60 to fulfill and assemble and will be given out at no charge. Our goal is to distribute at least 200 bags.

ONE-ON-ONE TUTORING

Through our relationships with local teachers RYC will identify young people who are struggling academically. This program will be serve as a supplement to this year’s online DOE summer school programming. $90 pays for one week of tutoring per child.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL GIVEAWAY

A back-to-school celebration to motivate our kids when they return to school in the fall. Bags will include needed school supplies. Each bag costs RYC $50 per child. Our goal is give away at least 500 bags.

STEAMPROGRAMMING

Student exposure to STEAM (Science,Technology, Art, Engineering, and Math) and literacy through the arts via hands-onlearning activities. Running the program on a per child basis for six weeks is $300.

CODINGCLASSES

Using MIT’s Scratch platform and the Python coding language the program is designed to teach kids coding skills and how to pitch to an audience. $320 is needed per child for a six-week session.

iBELONGI BELONG addresses the needs of at-risk teenagers and young adults that have had encounters with the legal system. The program is designed to examine current situations and future aspirations with the objective of shaping a positive outlook for each individual. $545 covers the 12-week program for one participant.

BEREAVEMENTCOUNSELING

With Covid-19 and the high-risk factors in the Bronx, counseling is much needed at this time. Each session costs $250 to run.

SUMMERCAMP

Camp will be conducted at the center, which is especially important this year. The cost is $950 per child for the summer which includes much-needed meals.

Pre-Covid-19 Programs

MUSIC ON WHEELS

Music On Wheels brings music teachers, instruments, and curriculum to schools that no longer have music programs. The program served 25 public schools in New York City in 2020, and has served dozens of schools every year since the early 2000s. Renaissance holds an annual Music On Wheels Recital where hundreds of students from New York City gather to perform for family and friends.

MUSIC WITH A MESSAGE

The Music With A Message (MWAM) Band is a touring youth band composed of 25 highly-talented musicians, singers, and dancers, who perform 50+ concerts each summer, uplifting community members through covers of famous songs, and original compositions dealing with issues facing Bronx and NYC communities. The Band regularly performs at venues like Yankee Stadium, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, as well as out-of-state venues.

IN-HOUSE MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS

Renaissance teaches vocals, guitar, drums,bass, and keyboard classes to students on Friday nights and Saturday mornings at our headquarters, and aslo in Co-Op City and in Queens. We teach more than 400 students each weekend, and run four 8-week cycles of classes every year, each cycle culminating in a recital for students, parents, and families. the cure for all.

RENAISSANCE YOUTH COUNCIL

Youth Council is a vehicle for teenagers to become community. Youth Council has held community paintings of Unity Park, got regulations enforced on a local slaughterhouse, and regularly sends youth to attend Police Precinct Community Councils. For the last two years, Youth Council has partnered with the Parks Department and the NYPD to launch the Youth Connect: Journey 2 Unity Tour, a series of events in each of New York City’s five boroughs highlighting role model teenagers and connecting disconnected youth to programs in their neighborhoods.

STEAMAFTERSCHOOL

We provide holistic afterschool programs at public schools, housing development community centers, and on-site at our headquarters, reaching a total of 350 in this program each week. We expose students to STEAM (Science, Technology, Art, Engineering, and Math) and literacy through the arts via hands-on learning activities. Our afterschool sites at our headquarters and PS 146 received grades of 90 and 96 respectively from New York City Department of Youth and Community Development monitors.

I BELONGI Belong is a new program started in 2019 for 16-24 year olds who may have gotten into trouble, or need support and inspiration to succeed on a new path. Participants learn instruments, music production, video production, and a variety of life skills, preparing them for employment or the next successful step on their path.

CODE THE BRONX

Code the Bronx is a program designed to teach our kids coding skills (using MIT’s Scratch platform and the Python coding language). Students also practice their public speaking and presentation skills at a final pitch event where they present a final project they’ve made to a panel of volunteer tech professionals.

SPORTS PROGRAMS

We coach multiple boys and girls travel basketball teams, host Friday Night Hoops clinics, and run a “Score 2” for Autism program. Our travel teams include study halls and weekly check-ins completed by students and their teachers to guide players towards academic and life success.

SATURDAYTUTORING

One-on-one tutoring is offered to kids on K-12 subjects every Saturday morning between music classes at our center. We have between 10-20 volunteers who come every week to form consistent relationships with tutoring students.

Our Target Goal:$150,000With your generous support we hope to reach our fundraising target goal of $150,000. This amount will ensure that we can continue to serve the South Bronx and the surrounding areas for those in need, especially during this pandemic.

An anonymous donor has offered to match up to $50,000 so with your help we are confident that we can attain our goal.

The funds raised from the Gala will be used for the programs listed on the previous pages, including established programs that will resume once safety allows.

We are confident that we can reach and maintain a new normal and offer valuable services and programming while practicing safe protocols for our students, their families, and our neighbors. Safety and well-being are top priorities.

To learn more about Renaissance Youth Center please visit our website: renaissanceyouth.org

FOR TODAY AND FOR THE FUTURE

Executive Staff and BoardBervin HarrisRenaissance Youth Center Co-Founder and CEO

Darren QuinlanRenaissance Youth Center Co-Founder, Basketball and MOW Director

Ginette DiazChief of Staff

Board of DirectorsHoward Altarescu, Board ChairmanJoe Robillard, TreasurerDino Bovell, Secretary Sarah DunnDevin JonesManny MontillaJerod WatsonJonathan OrnerNathaniel LitwakIvy Alphonse-CreanAnne Hasegawa

WE ARE STRONG WE ARE TOGETHER

FOR A BETTER WORLD

Renaissance Youth Center Virtual Gala 2020

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If you would like to donate with a check please print and fill out the information below and mail to: Renaissance Youth Center3485 Third AvenueNew York, NY 10456Checks should be made out to Renaissance Youth Center

renaissanceyouth.org/gala2020

THANK YOU! thank you!

Thank you!