Fall 2019 Scholarship Applications are now available for both the Family Development Credential Program for frontline staff and the Family Development Credential Program for Leaders aimed at supervisors, managers, and directors. These competitive scholarships are for frontline and family workers located in any of the 42 Neighborhood Development Areas (NDAs) throughout New York City. Pending student enrollment, classes are held each spring and fall at City University of New York (CUNY) campuses and off-site campus locations. There are no formal educational requirements for the program. However, students must be able to read and comprehend the curriculum, which is written in English at the 9th-grade level, and possess the writing skills needed to complete the portfolio and other assignments.

For more information on the FDC program and upcoming classes, click here or contact Rhodesia Humphrey, DYCD Capacity Building Deputy Director, at 646-343-6224.

The Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) is partnering with Candid, NYC Service and PASE to bring "Understanding Fundraising for 2020" to each borough this month. Funded by DYCD, these workshops are at no cost to participants. If you are a Community-Based Organization (CBO), Neighborhood Advisory Board, or a small or midsized nonprofit, this event is for you!

To register, click on the borough in which you would like to attend your workshop:

Queens - July 15
Staten Island - July 17
Brooklyn - July 23
Manhattan - July 24
The Bronx - July 25

For the last ten years, Step It Up NYC has been bringing about social change through community service and dance. This year was no different, as we challenged NYC step and dance teams to “step it up” for LGBTQ rights in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. What started with nearly 1,000 youth from more than 75 teams came down to the top ten, and on June 15, these teams took to the Apollo stage and used their performance to show that all young people—regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression— deserve to be safe, supported and healthy. Check out this year’s PSA on our YouTube page and visit our Facebook page to view pictures from the final showcase.

On June 14, over 35 DYCD-funded afterschool programs, hosted at NYC public schools from across the City, gathered for the DYCD 5th Annual Film Festival. Our festival was the biggest to date, featuring more than 60 short films from New York City’s youngest filmmakers in grades 6 – 12. Commissioner Anne del Castillo from the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment stopped by to offer encouraging words to the filmmakers. Visit our YouTube page to watch some of the winning films.

On June 27, DYCD providers learned best practices in leadership at our Above the Rim Basketball Intensive. Sports can highlight leadership qualities that are effective on and off the court. Workshops included STEM & Basketball, Trauma-Informed Coaching, College Readiness & Basketball and more. Check out highlights from the event on our Facebook page.

The Mayor’s Office Internship Program provides a unique opportunity to gain experience and develop the capacity to solve New York City’s most pressing issues. The mission of the Mayor’s Office Internship Program is to build a diverse pipeline of future public service leaders. This highly selected diverse group of men and women collaborate with staff to better the Office of the Mayor and New York City. For more information, visit their official website. Applications open July 15.

Did you know the New York City Department of Education’s Free Summer Meals program is available at hundreds of public schools, pools, parks, New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) complexes, libraries, and other locations around the City? No registration, documentation or ID is required to receive a free breakfast or lunch meal for New Yorkers 18 years old or younger.

July marks a new fiscal year for City agencies like DYCD, and throughout the month we will share information on ways to be financially responsible across all of our social media platforms. We will highlight stories such as the City’s Financial Empowerment Centers run by NYC Consumer Affairs. These centers provide FREE one-on-one professional counseling and coaching to support you reaching your financial goals.

With the nation’s first accessible college program, the Excelsior Scholarship, more than 940,000 middle class families and individuals making up to $125,000 per year will qualify to attend college tuition-free at all CUNY and SUNY two- and four-year colleges in New York State. To apply, you must be a resident of New York State; attend a SUNY or CUNY two- or four-year degree program; take 30 credits per calendar year (including January and summer sessions); and plan to live and work in New York following graduation for the length of time you participate in the scholarship program. Applications are due on August 15.

July is National Ice Cream Month, and Unigo needs a little help picking out a “Flavor of the Month” for their famous ice cream scholarship. Tell them all about your ice cream flavor, and you could scoop up a sweet $1,500 scholarship.

Bring a blanket and sit on the Lawn to enjoy great food, friends, and a feature film. The Lawn and food and wine concessions open 5 pm; film begins at sunset. Netflix presents Movie Nights with support from Chandon and Vulture. Enjoy the show!

The NFL season doesn’t start until September but later this month the New York Giants and Jets will be holding open practices with family fun events, autograph sessions and more.

What began in 1974 as a one-day tribute to Harlem has evolved over four decades into a month-long celebration of the community’s rich economic, political and cultural history. Things kick off on July 28 with “A Great Day in Harlem” and reach a fever pitch during the bursting-at-the-seams weekend of events held under the banner of “Summer in the City” and “Harlem Day,” including an auto show, children’s festival, small business expo, fashion show, educational fair, outdoor film screening and a dancing-in-the-street party. And on the final day of this celebration (August 24), there’s the Percy Sutton 5K Run. Click here for the full list of Harlem Week events and activities.

Are you tired of working on those long scholarship applications that require you to list every activity you have participated in since you started high school? What about writing those boring scholarship essays where you must explain why you deserve the award or who you are going to be in ten years? Well, you’re in luck. The $2,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is an easy scholarship with no essay required! The scholarship can be used to cover tuition, housing, books or any education-related expenses. To apply, visit the Niche official website.

The Teen Reviewers and Critics (TRaC) Program is a FREE afterschool opportunity for high school students to explore the arts in NYC. Participants spend ten weeks attending cutting-edge theaters, dance and music performances; visiting artist studios, galleries, and museums; mastering NYC’s subway system; learning the art of discussion and critical writing; producing media content; and so much more! For more information and apply, visit the Arts Connection website.

As part of its efforts to support youth volunteerism, the Karma for Cara Foundation (K4C) started a microgrant program in fall 2014. They are encouraging kids 18 and under to apply for funds between $250 and $1,000 to complete service projects in their communities. Whether it is turning a vacant lot into a community garden, rebuilding a school playground, or helping senior citizens get their homes ready for winter, they want to hear what project you’re passionate about. If you are interested in applying for a K4C microgrant, please click here to apply before deadline is October 1.

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.