CCC is grateful for the City Council’s longstanding commitment to youth services.  The Council has been a steadfast ally and partner to protect and expand the programs that provide youth with positive social, academic, and career-development supports that contribute to numerous benefits for the youth throughout their lives.  This past year, thousands of additional children and youth were able to participate in summer camp programs, elementary after-school programs, the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), and Work, Learn & Grow because of the City Council’s commitment to the next generation of New York City’s leaders.

We also appreciate the investments Mayor de Blasio and DYCD Commissioner Chong have made in youth services over the past five years, including expanding the middle school after-school program, increasing capacity in SYEP, and increasing the number and rate for Beacon community centers.

We believe more work remains to build upon earlier investments and program expansion, and we urge you to consider the following recommendations to strengthen elementary, middle, and high school after-school programs, summer programming, and the Summer Youth Employment Program.