Youth Development & Community Programs

Youth Development and Community Programs educate and nurture youth into successful adults. Through the delivery of innovative services, we encourage the participants in our community programs and our youth in foster care to make positive connections, expand their experiences and achieve their dreams.

Youth Development

At HSVS, we believe that access to high quality, stimulating education, connections with supportive adults and opportunities for personal and professional development will eradicate many of the racial inequalities and systemic barriers our young people face and ensure they lead happy, fulfilling lives.

We dream that every youth in our care attains a post-secondary degree or certificate, connects with a lifelong supportive adult and secures fulfilling, stable employment. This vision is inspired by the youth themselves through our active Youth Advisory Board, which informs agency policies and programming.

American Dream Program Brochure

Community Programs

HSVS Youth & Community Programs are comprised of a COMPASS, two Beacons, and 2 Cornerstone programs, all funded by the New York City Department of Youth & Community Development. Each program fosters the educational growth of our participants, and provides a safe place where children and adults can develop their interests, make friends and explore opportunities. HSVS creates programming based on the needs of the community and the interests of the participants. The HSVS Youth and Community Programs are structured and emphasize safety, academics, recreation and arts enrichment.

P.S. 102 One World COMPASS Program

211 72nd Street, 11209
(718) 567-2365
Nada Arkadan, Director
Kelly Cheung, Assistant Director
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 2:30-6:00 p.m.
Grades: K-5

McKinley I.S. 259 Beacon Program

7301 Fort Hamilton Parkway, 11228
(718) 836-3620
Joseph Impeduglia, Director
Sarah Lanza, Assistant Director
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 2:30-9:30 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Grades/Ages: Grades 4-12 | Adults 21+

P.S./I.S. 288 Shirley Tanyhill Beacon Program

2950 W. 25th Street, 11224
(718) 714-0103
Marie Paul Jeanty, Director
Hours: Mon., Wed. and Fri. 2:20-8:30 p.m.
Tues. & Thurs. 2:20-9 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Grades/Ages: Grades 4-12 | Adults 21+

Surfside Cornerstone Program

2315 Surf Avenue, 11224
(718) 996-5893
Radayza Montas, Director
Tameeka Brandon, Asst. Director
Hours: Mon – Fri 2:30–10 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Ages: 5-21 yrs | Adults 21+

Wyckoff Gardens Cornerstone Program

280 Wyckoff Street, 11217
(718) 834-8595
Regina Mitchell, Director
Sandy Salvador, Assistant Director
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 2:30-10 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Ages: 5-21 yrs | Adults 21+

The Permanency Pact Program

Through the generous support of the Redlich Horwitz Foundation, HSVS is delighted to launch our Permanency Pact Program, which creates a formalized, facilitated process to connect youth in foster care with a Supportive Adult who has pledged to offer lifelong friendship, professional guidance and emotional support. The HSVS Permanency Pact Program focuses on youth ages 18-21 and closes the gap for our young people by providing them with a safety net as they navigate adulthood. We know that with the support of responsible, dedicated adults, our young people will beat the odds and break through to success. Whether it is help to co-sign a lease, select an insurance plan or learn how to balance a budget, youth aging out of foster care need the same support that their peers often receive from parents or family members. Each Permanency Pact will provide a safety net for youth as they navigate adulthood with a responsible adult who has pledged to provide ongoing support and guidance.

For more information, call (718) 422-2469.

The American Dream Program

HSVS’ American Dream Program (ADP), founded in 1997, provides education, emotional support and career advancement programming to empower older youth to overcome their personal challenges and excel as adults. Through ADP, HSVS strives to break the cycle and reverse trends of poverty, incarceration and homelessness for our youth, especially as they age out of care. With the generosity of private donors and foundations, ADP has impacted the lives of over 100 youth pursuing their college and career dreams. Revamped in 2015, the American Dream Program now has more individualized, comprehensive support for our record 50 enrolled scholars. With this additional support, each of our ADP scholars will be able to find their own paths, make a plan and develop the skills they need to take on the challenges of work, education, finances and adult responsibilities with energy and confidence.