DYCD is pleased to announce our new website!

In addition to the discoverDYCD locator service and quick links to key DYCD-funded programs, visitors can Get Services (more information on available programs), Get Involved (contracting with the City and joining boards and councils), and Get Connected (Youth Connect, social media, events and calendar). The site can also be translated into more than 100 languages.

The previous URL of www.nyc.gov/dycd will automatically redirect so there is no reason to update any existing bookmarks or materials. Also, be sure to spread the word through your professional and personal channels that the new site is now live.

We welcome your feedback, comments and suggestions, and you can leave them here.

Enjoy the new website!

The 2016 New York City Youth Guide to Summer Fun is here!

Whether you're cooling down at the Rockaways, picnicking at Orchard Beach, catching an outdoor movie in Brooklyn, taking in some rays at Central Park or enjoying a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry, we hope you find the guide useful as you plan your summer in the City.

Events and activities will be added throughout the summer, so be sure to check back regularly for the most up-to-date listings. To view or download the New York City Youth Guide to Summer Fun, click here.

July 19 – July 28, 2016
Various Locations
New York City is arguably the jazz capital of the world, and this festival highlights some of our musical metropolis’ finest contributions to the genre. Among the highlights: a Summertime Swing Party kickoff and nights dedicated to the music of Nat King Cole, George Gershwin and songwriting duo Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz. For details, including a full schedule, visit 92y.org.

July 20, 2016 – August 24, 2016
Socrates Sculpture Park
32-01 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11106
Free for all ages
Socrates Sculpture Park and Film Forum, in collaboration with Rooftop Films, present this annual international film festival, which features a different country or culture each Wednesday evening. This year’s series examines the theme of The River, either literally or metaphorically, as we celebrate our 30th anniversary and LANDMARK exhibition. Each week throughout the summer series, the film is paired with live international music and local food vendors representing each week’s featured country of origin, making for a diverse array of films, food, and music. This program invites visitors to picnic on the grass, see musical and dance performances, enjoy the cool waterfront breeze as the sun sets over the Manhattan skyline, and watch exceptional international films on an outdoor screen. For a list of films, please visit the website.

July 29 – July 31, 2016
Queens County Farm Museum
73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, NY 11004-1129
New York City’s oldest and largest powwow will feature three days of intertribal Native American dance competitions to which the public is invited. Over 40 Indian nations are represented at this spectacular event, held in the apple orchard on the farm grounds. A large selection of unique Native American art, crafts, jewelry, and food are available. Visit queensfarm.org for event details and admission.

July 31, 2016 – August 27, 2016
Harlem, NY
What began in 1974 as a one-day tribute to Harlem has evolved over four decades into a monthlong celebration of the community’s rich economic, political and cultural history. Things kick off on July 31st with “A Great Day In Harlem” and this weeks-long festival reaches a fever pitch during the bursting-at-the-seams weekend of events held under the banner of “Summer in the City” (August 20th) and “Harlem Day” (August 21st), including an auto show, children’s festival, small business expo, fashion show, educational fair, outdoor film screening and a Dancing In The Streets party. The movement to normalize relations between the U.S. and Cuba is also coming to Harlem this summer, the first annual Harlem/Havana Music & Cultural Festival will bring Cuban musicians, artists, dancers, chefs, educators, and more to New York as part of Harlem Week 2016. For more information, visit harlemweek.com.

Currently through August 22, 2016
The Lawn, Bryant Park
Manhattan, NY
Free for all ages
This HBO-sponsored series has been screening movies in Bryant Park for more than two decades. As one of the most popular summer movie series in the City, arrive early to claim a spot on the lawn, which opens at 5:00pm for blankets and picnicking. Films begin at sunset (typically between 8:00pm and 9:00pm). All packages, bags, briefcases, backpacks, etc. subject to inspection. For more details, visit bryantpark.org.

August 2, 2016 – August 25, 2016
The Bronx, NY
The streets of the Bronx heat up with the return of SalsaFest, a month of performances, dance parties, movie screenings and neighborhood festivals. Last year’s celebration featured a series of free Sunday concerts at Orchard Beach, plenty of live music and dancing at the Casita Maria Festival and Bronx native Willie Colón performing at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts. For information on this year’s events, visit ilovethebronx.com.

Currently through August 25, 2016
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn, NY
Free for all ages
A gently sloping hillside provides the perfect setting for outdoor movies in Brooklyn Bridge Park, the borough’s newest and most dramatic green space. The views of Lower Manhattan’s famed skyline often compete for viewers’ attention with a lineup featuring relatively recent (Selma, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle) and classic (Purple Rain, Singin’ in the Rain) films. For details, visit brooklynbridgepark.org.

Title I Focus Districts and Districts with Title I Local Assistance Plan (LAP) Schools are eligible to apply for this grant. Title I Focus Districts, Title I Priority Schools, Title I Focus Schools and Title I LAP Schools that were identified as of February 26, 2016 and did not subsequently successfully appeal their designation are eligible for funding. Title I Districts that were identified as a Focus District and Title I schools identified as a Priority or Focus School as of September 1, 2015 and subsequently removed from that status will remain eligible for funding during the 2016 – 2017 school year. Only Title I schools providing instruction to students during the 2016 – 2017 school year are eligible for an allocation. The following districts/schools are not eligible for the Section 1003(a) Basic School Improvement Grant: Non-Title I Focus Districts; Non-Title I Priority Schools; Non-Title I Focus Schools; Non-Title I Local Assistance Plan Schools; Priority Schools receiving a 1003(g) School Improvement Grant, School Innovation Fund Grant, Title I Socioeconomic Integration Pilot Program, or Receivership Grant; 2015 – 2016 Title I LAP Schools removed from that status for 2016 – 2017; and Focus or Priority Charter Schools.

Districts must target funds toward the area(s) of identification and subgroup(s) identified for improvement. Title I School Improvement 1003(a) funds may not be used for any school level activities in Non-Title I schools. Funds may only be used for activities allowed under Title I and must be used for mandated improvement activities. The application deadline is August 31, 2016. For detailed instructions, please review the SIG Grant Application page.

The Foundation’s mission is to support programs and institutions that enrich the quality of life in New York City. Grantmaking is focused on initiatives that help individuals, families, and communities benefit from the services and opportunities that will enable them to achieve their full potential. The Foundation seeks to foster system-wide improvement and change while at the same time maintaining its tradition of direct service and the opportunity to test models in action. It prefers to support preventive and early intervention strategies, efforts that help New Yorkers build and preserve self-sufficiency, encourage innovation and programs that provide high quality services. The Foundation has an interest in supporting programs that serve vulnerable populations, especially children and youth from underserved communities, immigrants, and the elderly. The Foundation makes investments in direct service, capacity building, and systems change. Letters of inquiry are accepted. Additional information can be found on the website.

The Resilience Advocacy Project (RAP) works to empower youth to become leaders in the fight to end poverty. RAP works directly with teens to give them the confidence, problem-solving and leadership skills to design and implement real-world solutions to entrenched social problems. At the same time, the Project conducts research and advocacy initiatives aimed at improving the policies and government systems that shape youth resilience. RAP is developing the social justice leaders of tomorrow. RAP is building a growing movement of resilient youth equipped and inspired to make sure that poverty in one generation does not predict poverty in the next. If you or a youth you know is interested in community leadership and advocacy, apply here to become a youth delegate with your local Neighborhood Advisory Board through the Resilience Advocacy Project.

Do you know an educator with a bright idea? The Pelican Foundation for Creative Education provides grants to middle and high school teachers for innovative projects that can bring valuable enrichment opportunities to students. The Foundation funds creative educational projects in all subject areas. Collaborations between disciplines are encouraged to apply. Please visit The Pelican Foundation for Creative Education's website for more details.

Local Arts Support offers support to performances, exhibitions, pop-up galleries, workshops and more across Brooklyn through the New York State Council on the Arts. Brooklyn-based nonprofit organizations and NYC-based artist-nonprofit partnerships may apply directly to this program. In 2016 alone, Local Arts Support awarded over $100,000 to 41 projects. To apply for project funding by September 21, 2016, please visit the website.

The Atlanta-based Captain Planet Foundation—co-founded by Ted Turner and Barbara Pyle in 1991—supports high-quality, hands-on environmental stewardship projects that have enabled more than 1.1 million youth across the U.S. and around the world make significant environmental improvements to their schools or communities. The Captain Planet Foundation primarily makes grants to U.S. based schools and organizations with an annual operating budget of less than $3 million. The foundation has a small grants program that funds gardens and other environmental projects around the country and will fund as many projects as its annual resources allow. The foundation has two deadlines; September 30th for spring and summer projects and January 31st for fall and winter projects. Captain Planet Foundation will accept small grant requests for amounts between $500 – $2,500. Preferential consideration is given to requests who have secured at least 50 percent matching or in-kind funding for their projects. All applicant organizations or sponsoring agencies must be exempt from federal taxation under the Internal Revenue Code Section 501, in order to be eligible for funding (this includes most schools and non-profit organizations). Apply for one of their small grants via the Foundation’s 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.