This past June, PowerPlay launched a new initiative called Summer STARS. Summer STARS is modeled after our STARS Series program with the goal of reintegrating young people into social settings, while focusing on their physical and social-emotional wellbeing. This 5-week program was of extreme importance to our young people as they were excited to resume in-person programming and engaging with their friends. We operated five sites throughout Brooklyn and Staten Island serving over 100 girls.
We are grateful to our amazing partners that helped with recruitment and facilitation. These included Health 4 Youths and Muslim Sisters of Staten Island who are both based in Staten Island and invited us into their community. Additional thanks to Rugby United New York for introducing our young women to the sport of Rugby; local basketball player, Teshawn Byron for sharing his basketball talents with the girls, and the NYPD for supporting our efforts and chaperoning our young people on trips.
The summer culminated with a trip to Coney Island to watch the Brooklyn Cyclones compete in a match against the Aberdeen Ironbirds. For many of the young women and their families, it was their visit to a ballpark and their first baseball match. Major kudos to the Cyclones for providing the tickets and making the day special for our families. Check out highlights from this game below! PowerPlay Goes to a Cyclones Game – PowerPlay (powerplaynyc.org)
