On January 25, more than 80 leaders and practitioners participated in a joyful learning experience—gaining new tools, sharing best practices and celebrating successes in family engagement. A highlight of the event was a showcase from the first Circles of Support Family Engagement Practitioner Network who discussed transformation in their programs. Applications for the highly competitive 2nd Family Engagement Practitioner Network are available online.

On January 26, the top 30 teams performed at the Step It Up NYC semifinals for a chance to be part of the final showcase this June. Check out some of the photos and help us in congratulating the top nine teams that advanced to the finals! There is ONE more chance to be part of the finals in June: join us for the wildcard battle on Saturday, February 9, where you and your dance team can earn the tenth and final spot.

On January 23, more than 90 youth joined together in a networking social opportunity at DYCD’s Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Knicks Night Out hosted by Madison Square Garden. The event allowed young people from a variety of RHY programs to observe the Knicks and Houston Rockets pre-game team building activities and watch the game from the Chase Bridge. DYCD also got a shout out on the scoreboard above the court.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans, and throughout the month, DYCD is recognizing some of the amazing individuals and the roles they played in our history. Click here throughout the month to see our Facebook album with all our great features.

During the summer of 2019, DYCD, in partnership with the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), will offer a paid summer internship for forty (40) talented NYC high school students to work full-time at the DDC. This High School Summer Internship Program is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in architecture, engineering, building trades, public administration, business administration or information technology. For more information and to apply, visit the DDC’s official website.

Get ready to apply to pre-K! The pre-K application for the 2019—2020 school year opened on February 4. All NYC families with children born in 2015 can apply to pre-K between February 4 and March 15, 2019. To get the most up-to-date information on pre-K programs in your area, use DOE’s online pre-K Finder or visit the official Pre-K for all website.

Are you a student in grades 9—12 who wants to spend spring break exploring computer science and historical inquiry or interning as a teacher, urban farmer assistant, or animal care provider? Apply now for exciting STEM-related opportunities at the NYC Department of Education’s Genovesi Environmental Study Center and New-York Historical Society. To learn more and apply by the Friday, February 15 deadline, visit their official website.

Big things come in small packages, and now those simple gifts can really pay off in Unigo’s Sweet and Simple Scholarship! Think back to a time when you received a special gift that seemed so unassuming yet made such a strong impact in your life. Was it a present you could open in a box or a humble gesture from a stranger? Your gift will forever be priceless, but their Sweet and Simple Scholarship can help sweeten that present with a $1,500 award toward your college education.

Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) is a company-sponsored employee network dedicated to supporting the continued growth and development of black employees at Microsoft Corporation. This year, BAM will award two $5,000 scholarships to outstanding high school seniors who are interested in pursuing careers in technology. The scholarships are renewable, so winners who continue to meet the criteria can receive an annual $5,000 award for up to four years. To view the scholarship requirements and to apply for a BAM Scholarship, visit their website.

The New York County District Attorney’s High School Internship Program is a rigorous internship that provides students with an insider’s view of the criminal justice system. Each intern is assigned to a unit within the Office and helps Assistant District Attorneys and other staff members with their work. Interns also attend presentations and trips and participate in a mock trial competition. If you live in Manhattan or attend school in Manhattan, visit the DA’s official website for more information. Applications will be available starting Monday, February 11.

NYU School of Professional Studies (NYUSPS) Aspire is a scholarship program for rising high school juniors and seniors from underrepresented communities who will be first-generation college students. Aspire is a two-year college prep and mentoring program that features a variety of classes and workshops, which will prepare selected applicants for the college admissions process and experience. The program begins with a one-week college immersion intensive in the summer and continues with support throughout your junior and senior year in high school. The deadline to apply for this program is March 30, 2018, so apply today by visiting the Aspire program’s website.

Major League Baseball and Scholastic are celebrating the 23rd year of Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life, the educational program designed to teach young students about obstacles faced by Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson as he broke baseball’s color barrier. The program has reached more than 37 million youth and 5 million educators. The Breaking Barriers essay contest asks students in grades four through nine to submit an essay about barriers or obstacles they have faced or are still facing in their lives, and how they overcame or continue to overcome those obstacles using the values demonstrated by Jackie Robinson: Citizenship, Commitment, Courage, Determination, Excellence, Integrity, Justice, Persistence and Teamwork. For more information and to apply by the March 14 deadline, visit the official Breaking Barriers website.

New York Road Runners (NYRR) Run for the Future is a free seven-week scholarship program that teaches 11th grade high school girls how to run. This unique opportunity is designed for young women who have not previously participated in organized sports. With support from NYRR’s coaching staff, NYRR Run for the Future participants are introduced to the sport of running. Participants are taught running technique, nutrition, and goal setting so they can develop the ability, confidence, and motivation to be active for life. For more information and to apply, visit their official website.

Looking for an afterschool program in your neighborhood? Need information on improving reading skills or finding the nearest community center? The web application discoverDYCD allows you to search in multiple languages for DYCD-funded programs. You can search by borough, neighborhood or zip code, and discoverDYCD provides contact information, activities offered, and a mapping feature with navigation.

Categories of services include: Afterschool Programs, Family Support, Literacy Services, Youth Services and so much more! We hope you find discoverDYCD useful as you take advantage of the diverse resources and opportunities that New York City has to offer.