Youth Programs at PS33 Unite to Address Neighborhood Conerns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Kenyatta Funderburk

Inwood House's Yourth-For-R.E.A.L.

Phone: 917.674.8269/Fax: 718.563.2275

Youth Programs at P.S. 33 Unite to Address Neighborhood Concerns

Bronx, NY – August 3, 2005 – Although Inwood House and BELL are running separate programs for young people at P.S. 33 this summer, they have been working together to develop their students into effective leaders of their community. On Tuesday, August 9^th, they will join together to hold P.S. 33’s Summer Community Change Day of Action.

The Community Change Day of Action will take place at P.S. 33, located at 2424 Jerome Avenue (between Fordham Road and 184^th Street). This will be a youth-led rally against a variety of problems in their community. This event will feature P.S. 33 students, as they will share with the public their findings on the issues of poverty, violence, juvenile delinquency and animal cruelty. The objective of the Summer Community Change Day of Action is to bring attention to young people’s concerns, while inspiring community members to work together and become more involved in addressing neighborhood problems.

Inwood House was established as a residence in 1830 to help delinquent girls in New York City rebuild their lives. Today, Inwood House cares for homeless, pregnant teens in foster care, and is internationally recognized as a leader and innovator in youth development, teen pregnancy prevention, and family support serving nearly 8,000 young people in New York City and New Jersey. Inwood House’s Youth-For-R.E.A.L. (Responsibility, Excellence, Achievement, & Leadership) Program provides a variety of after-school activities to P.S. 33 and M.S. 399 students. As part of Youth-For-R.E.A.L.’s Community Change Project, young people analyze and address the problems they are concerned about in their neighborhood. From this experience, children learn about research and teamwork, while developing valuable leadership and critical thinking skills. Youth-For-R.E.A.L. children use what they learn to make their community a better place to live.

During the summer, Inwood House partners with the Children Defense Fund in doing Youth-For-R.E.A.L.’s Freedom School. Youth-For-R.E.A.L.’s Freedom School provides young people with a literacy-rich summer experience. The Freedom School serves second through fifth grade students over a six-week period during the summer. Freedom Schools combine reading, conflict resolution, and social action into an activity-based experience that promotes social, cultural, and historical awareness for its youth participants.

BELL is a community-based, non-profit organization founded by Black Harvard Law School students in 1992, and is designed to increase the educational achievements, self-esteem and life opportunities of children living in low-income communities. BELL serves underperforming elementary school children, grades K-6, in Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Prince George's and Montgomery counties in Maryland. This year, BELL is educating nearly 10,000 students.

The BELL Summer Program was created to ensure that scholars continue to increase the academic and social gains they make during the school year, and have the opportunity to enjoy fun interactive activities. The purpose of BELL Summer is to educate Black and Latino children, and to help them increase their self-esteem and commitment to community service. The BELL Summer Program is comprehensive six-week academic camp that provides intensive academic instruction, hands-on educational, cultural, artistic and recreational activities, guest speakers, community service projects and field trips.

For more information about the Community Change Day of Action, please call 718.563.2274 or e-mail kenyattafunderburk@hotmail.com.