The YWCA NYC’s OST programs create a safe and nurturing environment designed to support academic achievement, enhance social skills and foster success in school and life. We operate elementary and middle school programs for children in K through 8th grade in Central Harlem, Carroll Gardens, Coney Island and Brownsville, Brooklyn. Our staff of diverse community-based educators and licensed teachers create strong partnerships with the schools, families, and community leaders to ensure access to a variety of enrichment activities.
Our OST programs are offered in partnership with DYCD at our six locations (see the ‘program sites’ section below). Find us via DYCD Connect by searching for ‘The Young Women’s Christian Association of the City of NY’ here →
Signature Programs
Adventures in Peace Keeping
is a cultural diversity effort that fosters appreciation of difference, models healthy conflict resolution strategies and promotes civic engagement in the school community.
Gardening Project
combines science education and healthy eating habits. Throughout the program year students learn botany, life and environmental sciences, nutritional sciences and develop culinary skills using fresh produce from the gardens.
Everyday Heroes
enables students to explore what it means to be a hero, encourages mindfulness and self-expression through meditation and theater, and engages them in age-appropriate discussions of race and racism, self-empowerment, and service to one’s community.
Program Goals
Foster social & emotional competencies and physical well-being.
Students learn how to identify and manage their emotions and resolve conflict through our youth development programming, while staff intentionally models appropriate behavior.
Provide opportunities for youth to explore their interests and creativity.
Students participate in a variety of hands-on, experiential and creative, project-based learning activities. The YW also conducts field trips to cultural, educational and sporting events that broaden the students’ perspectives and self-concept.
Build skills that support academic achievement.
Aligned with the New York State Common Core standards, our STEM and Literacy activities support the development of critical thinking, academic competency and other cognitive skills. Additionally, college and career exposure promotes college bound habits and sparks children’s imaginations.
Cultivate youth leadership and community engagement.
Student feedback about program activities forms a critical component of our program planning process. Students’ leadership skills also emerge as they learn how to collaborate with one another as they complete projects.
Engage parents and other caretakers to support OST goals.
The YWCA NYC has an open door policy that welcomes families. Parents are partners in encouraging and supporting the core outcomes of after-school programming. Parents are encouraged to contribute ideas, volunteer and attend program events including student performances and events that foster positive interaction between students and their families. Parents have access to youth development specialists during workshops. In addition to hosting new family orientations and other parent information exchange sessions, program leadership is available to address parents’ inquiries and concerns related to after school services.
Program Sites
P.S. 90, Edna Cohen School
2840 West 12th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11224
718.266.8090
P.S. 188, Michael E. Berdy School
3314 Neptune Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224
718.266.6380
P.S. 327, Dr. Rose B. English School
111 Bristol Street, Brooklyn, NY 11212
718.495.7801
P.S. 329, Surfside School
2929 West 30th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11224
718.996.3800
K448 – Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies
610 Henry Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
718.923.4700
M524 – New Design Middle School
625 West 133rd Street, Room 125 H, New York, NY 10027
Thank You To Our OST Sponsors & Partners!
A special thank you to each of our School Sites for providing us the space and the partnership to make an impact in our communities. Thank you to our community partners, funders and sponsors; your help makes our work possible. To become a partner, please contact our Development team at [email protected].
