Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 1 p.m. (New York City time), 250 Broadway - 8th Floor - Hearing Room 2
Committee: Committee on Children and Youth
The Committee on Children and Youth, chaired by Council Member Althea V. Stevens, held an oversight hearing on DYCD's Beacon and Cornerstone community center programs, plus several resolutions on youth sports funding, a fatherhood initiative, baby bonds, guaranteed income, and child savings accounts. DYCD Associate Commissioner Wanda Ash-Rawl testified that there are 92 Beacon and 100 Cornerstone programs serving tens of thousands of New Yorkers, but that the last Beacon RFP was issued in 2017 and the last Cornerstone RFP in 2015, with the agency now exploring a combined concept paper and reassessing funding, staffing, and program design. Council Members questioned the agency on waitlists at popular sites like the Goddard Beacon, staffing models, NYCHA facility repair coordination, stipends for youth workforce participants, and the three-day enrollment requirement for Beacons. Public testimony included an Assembly member on the fatherhood initiative, Beacon providers and alumni, fathers' advocacy groups, a high school student on youth sports inequity, and other community members.
0:16 Good afternoon welcome to
0:16 today's New York City Council
0:18 hearing for the committee on
0:20 children and youth at this
0:22 time please silence all phones
0:24 and electronic devices if you
0:25 wish to speak in today's
0:27 hearing please fill out an
0:28 appearance card with one of
0:30 the sergeants moving forward
0:31 no one is to approach the dead
0:34 chair you begin good.
0:41 Good good welcome to today's
0:44 hearing on children in youth
0:45 on the children you've
0:47 committed I'm councilman roth
0:48 thea Stevens chair of the
0:49 committee thank you for
0:50 joining us here today where
0:53 where this committee will be
0:54 evaluating dice deeds beacons
0:56 and cornerstones program
0:57 . In addition to the oversight
0:58 topic will be also hearing the
1:02 following
1:02 . Resolutions brazo 3
1:04 2sponsored by Council Member
1:05 setting aside a portion of
1:07 revenue from state betting t
1:09 osupport youth
1:10 . Um sports programs upgrade
1:12 communities to support
1:13 infrastructure and expand
1:14 access to recreational
1:15 activities for young people
1:17 russell hundred 42 bar council
1:20 member calling for for the
1:21 establishment of the center
1:23 for fatherhood initiative
1:24 under the office of children
1:26 and family services raizo 161
1:28 deputy speaker Williams
1:29 calling for the establishment
1:31 of baby bomb pilot program for
1:34 foster use russell 2 1 7
1:36 sponsor are Council Member
1:37 calling for the regulation of
1:40 false or misleading
1:41 advertising related to food
1:42 products to be protected t
1:45 oprotect children rezo to 76
1:47 sponsored by deputy william
1:48 speaker which will create a
1:50 targeted meaningful test
1:51 guaranteed income program for
1:52 low income individuals young
1:54 adult and foster youths razo
1:58 hundred 77 by deputy.
1:59 Speaker Williams calling for
2:01 the creation of a federally
2:03 funded savings account for
2:05 every child and raise 278 also
2:08 sponsored by deputy.
2:09 Speaker Williams calling for
2:11 the management of funds and
2:13 eligible child care bank
2:14 accounts by the state
2:15 comptroller.
2:16 Those are all the reasons
2:17 we're hearing so now we'll
2:18 actually get to what we're
2:20 really here for
2:22 . For decades became a corner
2:25 stone as trusted a trusted
2:27 neighborhood
2:28 . They provided young people
2:28 and adults with safe.
2:30 Spaces to learn build
2:32 relationships develop skills
2:34 access support services and
2:35 engage with their communities
2:36 could have have some tissue
2:38 thank you today there are 9
2:41 2beacon programs and a hundred
2:44 cornerstones programs
2:45 operating throughout the City
2:45 that serves tens of thousands
2:47 of New yorkers each year
2:49 . This number reflects the
2:50 significant demand for
2:51 accessible community based
2:54 programming and critical roles
2:55 that those hunters play I'm
2:58 sorry I'm thank you
3:02 . Critical role that those
3:02 singers play those programs
3:05 are particularly thinkyou're
3:06 important at at time when many
3:08 young people continue to
3:10 reflect significant challenges
3:11 as young people are
3:12 experiencing extraordinary
3:13 high rates of loneliness
3:16 anxiety and social isolation
3:18 research consistently
3:19 . Demonstrates that
3:19 participation and structural
3:20 community based program and
3:22 prove educational outcomes
3:24 strengthens social connecting
3:25 support mental health and
3:26 promotes positive youth
3:27 development at the same time
3:30 today's hearing provides an
3:31 opportunity to assess whether
3:32 our vestments have kept the
3:34 pace with expectations we we
3:36 placed on these programs the
3:38 last comprehensive beacon
3:39 procurement was issued in
3:42 20017 and the last cornerstone
3:43 procurement was issued in 2015 e
3:46 continued to deliver services
3:49 through contract renews and
3:51 extension.
3:51 But providers have
3:53 consistently raised concerns
3:55 regarding funding levels
3:56 staffing challenges security
3:58 costs and conditions of the
3:59 facilities many providers
4:01 report that they are absorbing
4:03 substantial cost beyond their
4:05 contract awards to continue on
4:07 operating these vital programs
4:08 as we look at the future it is
4:10 important that we evaluate
4:11 whether providers have the
4:12 resources necessary to meet
4:13 the needs of the communities
4:15 they serve we look forward t
4:17 odiscussing dad's plan for
4:18 future procurement but since
4:19 your programming expansion and
4:21 opportunities to strengthe
4:22 ncommunity based programs
4:23 citywide there testimony and
4:25 testimony from community
4:26 members will help inform how
4:28 City can continue to support
4:30 these critical community
4:32 institutions
4:32 . Before we begin I would like
4:33 to think committee staff
4:35 including student senior
4:35 apollo Ana senior policy
4:38 analyst elizabeth artz our
4:41 senior committee counsel I'm
4:45 real
4:45 . A gaza wall at their hard
4:47 gstaff back at district 16 I
4:53 will now turn it over to a
4:55 committee counsel to swear in
4:57 the administration mom did you
4:58 want to read oh I have another
5:00 statement to read it was very
5:03 long this is from dr natasha
5:08 Williams Council Member in the
5:10 attachable
5:10 . Rooms committee on children
5:12 and youth hearing a statement
5:13 on brazil 106 1 2 7 6 2 7 7 2
5:18 7 8 wealthy inequalities have
5:19 often been described as one of
5:21 the defining process issues of
5:22 our time however while the
5:23 wealth gap in our country and
5:25 our City has reached alarming
5:27 levels
5:27 . We know those
5:28 disproportionate are the
5:29 result of deep rooted
5:31 historical and systematic
5:33 discrimination against some of
5:35 the most marginalized
5:36 community.
5:37 Particularly black and brown y
5:40 the medium household networks
5:41 for black families and 14 14
5:44 times lower than that of white
5:45 families in New York this
5:47 reality again underscored by
5:49 state City state and federal
5:51 government have long known
5:52 . And at a time failed failed
5:55 quite at a time has failed t
5:57 oadequately address those who
5:59 have been historically
6:00 disadvantaged have also been
6:03 systematically denied
6:04 meaningful opportunities t
6:05 obuild financial security for
6:06 themselves and future
6:08 generations despite long
6:09 starring barriers that
6:12 continue to particularly
6:14 circle the cycle of poverty
6:16 . Lawmakers are every at every
6:18 level of government introduced
6:19 legislation aimed to narrowing
6:20 the wealth gap one proposal
6:22 that has gained significant
6:24 attention is this creation of
6:24 a so called baby bond program
6:26 . Those programs establish
6:29 government and and manage
6:31 savings accounts.
6:31 For newborns helping create
6:32 long term financial assets
6:34 that can be assess in
6:39 adulthood access in adulthood
6:40 raise a hundred 61 we'll call
6:41 the New York state legislation
6:44 to pass somebody bill a 7 2 4
6:47 1 5.
6:48 Sponsored by assembly member
6:49 khalil anderson which would
6:51 establish a baby bond pilot
6:52 program for foster youth who
6:55 disproportionately face
6:56 financial instability
6:58 . In adulthood razo 2 7 7 will
7:01 call on congress to pass s 441
7:07 slash hr 1 0 4 1 also known as
7:08 the american opportunity
7:11 account act sponsored by
7:14 senator cory booker and
7:17 congresswoman pressley rezo 2
7:18 7 8 we'll call on New York
7:20 state to pass the senate bill
7:24 5 6 4 an assembly bill a 6 0 5
7:30 9 introduced by senator jamal
7:33 bailey and assembly member
7:35 michael michael benedetto
7:35 these will require the state
7:37 to deposit a thousand dollar
7:38 sallocation and so it counts
7:39 managed by the controller
7:41 additionally resolution 278
7:42 will call on congress to pass
7:45 legislation creating a
7:47 meaningful tea tested
7:48 guaranteed income program for
7:49 low income individuals young
7:51 adults and foster care use
7:53 . Research also shows that
7:55 even small amounts of savings
7:56 because have made long term
7:58 impacts including reducing the
7:59 future state loan debt
8:01 lowering aquatic financial
8:02 stress and increasing
8:04 household wealth with
8:06 particularly significant gains
8:07 for black and latino families
8:10 those findings make it clear
8:12 that even modest investments
8:14 in financial security can
8:15 create meaningful generational
8:16 changes we must continue to
8:20 advance serious conversation
8:21 and bold policies that help
8:22 close the wealth gap and
8:23 expand opportunities for our
8:26 young people thank you I would
8:28 like to knowledge councilman
8:29 councilman be Felder and
8:30 Council Member.
8:31 Borough oh thank you for
8:32 being here councilmember
8:33 . Brewer only the o are
8:34 . Here I know I know we're so
8:37 blessed and let me tell you
8:39 guys to get ready because
8:41 councilmember Brewer is
8:42 serious about the community
8:47 center so.
8:47 We will now hear testimony
8:49 from the administration before
8:50 we begin I will administer the
8:52 affirmation panelists please
8:54 raise your right hand I will
8:55 read the affirmation once then
8:57 call on each of you
8:58 individually to respond ah do
9:00 you affirm to tell the truth
9:01 the whole truth and nothing
9:03 but the truth before this
9:04 committee and to respond
9:06 honestly to Council Member
9:08 begin a hello oh it's okay
9:49 afternoon Stevens and members
9:50 I think it's just the sound
9:53 . Good afternoon chair Stevens
9:55 and members of the children
9:58 and youth committee bring it
10:00 closer no no no let me no it's
10:06 too loud good afternoon chair
10:07 Stevens and members of the
10:08 children and youth committee I
10:11 am wanda ash ral associate
10:14 commissioner of the New York
10:16 City department of youth and
10:19 community development I am
10:19 joined by my bi three cia
10:22 harrah's assistant assistant
10:24 commissioner for community
10:26 centers thank you for the
10:28 opportunity to discuss the
10:31 beacon cornerstone a community
10:33 centers d y c d s community
10:35 centers include 92 beacon
10:38 programs located in public
10:39 schools across New York City
10:41 and 100 cornerstone programs
10:44 operating in New York City
10:45 housing authority developments n
10:50 non school hours during non
10:53 school hours on weekdays
10:54 weekends and in the summer
10:57 each center transforms its
10:59 host location into a resource
11:01 for the whole community by
11:03 offering an integrated range
11:05 of programming tailored t
11:09 olocal needs for all
11:10 participants especially youth
11:11 community centers offer a safe
11:13 place to engage in
11:15 recreational activities
11:16 discover New interests acquire
11:18 skills and find opportunities
11:20 to contribute to the community
11:22 guided and supported by
11:24 program staff centers provide
11:26 activities and services for
11:28 school aged youth
11:28 . Families and adults ages 2
11:32 0to years
11:32 . And older including seniors
11:34 in keeping with the original
11:37 concept programs make special
11:38 efforts to engage hard t
11:41 orecruit youth and young adultsn
11:44 activities that foster
11:45 positive youth development
11:47 social emotional learning assi
11:49 beneficialadership skills
11:53 . D y qed community centers
11:55 have a broad reach in fiscal
11:57 year 25 programs served more
12:01 than 62000 youth and 17000
12:04 adults cornerstone programs
12:05 range in size from smaller
12:07 centers to large multipurpose
12:10 community spaces in fiscal
12:11 year 25 cornerstone community
12:14 centers served over 21000
12:15 young people and 6700 adults
12:19 . D y c d monitors program
12:20 performance and provides
12:22 technical assistance to help
12:25 programs reach their contract
12:26 and community goals d City
12:29 program managers make periodic
12:31 onsite visits to programs to
12:32 ensure that sites are
12:34 welcoming properly staffed
12:35 engaging the community and
12:37 operating at full capacity d y
12:39 City program managers also
12:41 monitor weather enrollment and
12:43 attendance are consistent with
12:45 contracted levels and program
12:48 goals d y cities evaluation
12:50 and monitoring system and d c
12:53 connect documents detailed
12:55 program evaluations and fou
12:58 rkey sections program practice
13:01 program compliance
13:02 administration and outcomes
13:04 and outputs if a program does
13:05 not meet the established
13:07 standards the right City issue
13:09 a strategic action plan or a
13:12 corrective action plan.
13:13 And provides on site
13:15 coaching and capacity building
13:17 resources if there are issues
13:18 or indicators that need
13:21 serious and formal correction
13:23 this includes but it's not
13:25 limited to contract compliance
13:28 program quality and outcomes
13:29 and safety violations beacon
13:32 and cornerstone community
13:34 centers host specialized
13:36 activities and participate in
13:37 various citywide initiatives
13:39 to support and enhance
13:39 offerings to the community
13:42 these include Saturday night
13:44 lights um which is a sports
13:47 program that enhance has
13:48 enhanced community center
13:50 programming by offering young
13:52 people year round free sports
13:54 and enrichment activities on
13:56 Saturday evenings the s and l
13:58 program provides basketball
13:59 soccer dance and other sports
14:01 and arts services in the
14:03 community centers and schools
14:05 uh most of which are co
14:07 located and with beacon and
14:10 cornerstone programs there are
14:12 141 programs throughout the
14:14 City of which 46 are located
14:17 in beacon and 50 are located
14:19 in cornerstone community
14:20 centers in fiscal year 2
14:23 5programs served 442
14:27 4participants we also offer
14:28 mental health support services.
14:31 Diversity participated in a
14:32 pilot initiative in
14:34 partnership with the mayor's
14:35 office of community mental
14:36 health to introduce New skills
14:39 for program staff on mental
14:40 health coping strategies they
14:42 can use to work with young
14:45 people in partnership with the
14:47 New school center for global
14:50 mental health City facilitated
14:51 the first adaptation and
14:53 implementation of early
14:54 adolescent skills for emotions
14:57 prefer to ease in the united
15:02 states the intervention was
15:04 specifically developed t
15:06 oprovide a scalable culturally
15:09 adaptable and preventive and
15:10 preventive model of care for
15:13 youth experiencing symptoms of
15:15 anxiety stress.
15:16 Depression and other forms
15:17 of psychological distress the
15:19 ease initiative focused on