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BRONX TIMES REPORTER, MARCH 25-31, 2022 BXR
FYI Around The Borough
The New York Knicks teamed up with
the Castle Hill YMCA to keep kids off
the streets and to inspire them to follow
their dreams. Nearly 100 youngsters got a
chance to meet and receive game pointers
from former Knick John Wallace on Saturday,
March 5, thanks to a partnership
between the YMCA and Knicks organization.
Also in attendance at this event were
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clarke,
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson
and Councilmember Amanda Farias.
The kids were ecstatic at the thought
of having a 6’8” professional basketball
player in the gym with them. A member
of the Y as a kid, Wallace said that he is
glad to participate in the Saturday Night
Lights program at the Y because it is his
way of giving back.
Sharlene Brown, Castle Hill YMCA executive
director, said that the Saturday
Night Lights program has been a great addition
to the Y, specifically because safety
is imperative for healthy youth development.
“I hope more kids will come take advantage
of this free program. It’s a great
way for them to positively expel energy,
and they get to make friends at the same
time. We have a wonderful staff who is excited
about working with kids,” she said.
The Saturday Night Lights program
is free for teens and is offered every Saturday
from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Castle Hill
YMCA.
Read Across America with Birch Family Services
Attendees shop for books at Birch Family Services
Pelham Bay in celebration of Read Across
America and Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
Photos courtesy Birch Family Services
City Councilmember Marjorie Velazquez reads
to children at Birch Family Services Pelham Bay.
The event was part of a celebration of Read
Across America and Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
Birch Family Services Pelham Bay had a ton of fun celebrating Read Across America
and Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Councilmember Marjorie Velazquez shared in the day by
reading “Green Eggs and Ham,” “Oh! The Places You will Go” and “One Fish Two Fish
Red Fish Blue Fish” by Dr. Seuss. Also, Bronx Bound Books -- a book store on wheels --
dropped by and the children and their families were able to purchase books.
City Councilmember Kevin Riley and state Sen. Jamaal Bailey joined Good Shepherd
Services for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 17 to celebrate the opening of
the Truman Beacon Community Center. This new center is part of the Department of
Youth and Community Development’s Beacon Program. It will also provide year-round
programming for children, youth and adults to participate in recreational activities,
acquire new skills, and find opportunities to contribute to the community.
Photos courtesy YMCA
New Truman Beacon Community Center
opens in the Bronx
Saturday Night Lights, Knicks at Castle Hill YMCA
Group photo at ribbon cutting ceremony. From left, Digna Layne, Community Relations Manager;
Theory Thompson, Chief Program Officer; state Sen. Jamaal Bailey; Chante Brown, Good Shepherd
Services; Shaneva Gaskin, Truman Beacon Community Center; City Councilmember Kevin Riley; Noel
Photos courtesy YMCA Ellison, Riverbay Corporation; and Yani Fernandez. Photo Jewel Webber