Harlem YMCA
Today’s teens are tomorrow’s leaders. Y teen programs offer New York City young people a forum to be heard. Through civic engagement programs, health and fitness activities and special interest clubs, teens can connect with their peers while giving back to their community.
At the Y, we work every day to help teens set and achieve their personal and educational goals. As a result, NYC teens gain confidence as they recognize the Y as a place where they belong and can feel comfortable exploring new interests and passions. Through our leadership and academic enrichment programs, the Y makes sure that every teen has an opportunity to envision and pursue a positive future, and to take an active role in strengthening his or her community.
Teen Hours are from 3-8:30 PM during the weekdays and Saturday and Sunday 8AM-5PM.
For information about our teen programs, contact Jovanda Darden at jodarden@ymcanyc.org or call 212-912-2135.
Teen Membership
Come out and show your skills on our basketball court, work out in our fitness center or just hang out with friends in our lounge. A fitness orientation must be completed by all teens before using the cardio area.
Education, Leadership, and College Prep
Teen Center
FREE
Here at the Harlem YMCA we develop our Teen Center activities based on our teens’ needs and interests. We operate on weekday afternoons from 3:00-6:00PM (beginning October 3, 2023) and provide activities such as: creative art, teen talk, improv, Media (creating a podcast), swimming, sports tournaments, open gym for recreation, basketball, soccer and other sports, health and fitness activities, academic support such as tutoring and homework help, college readiness workshops, service learning and community service opportunities and so much more.
Fill out the Registration form and return to Jovanda Darden at jodarden@ymcanyc.org.
Achievers in Industry Corporate Scholarship Program (bai)
The Achievers in Industry (bai) initiative launched the Corporate Scholarship program to provide direct support to motivated New York City high school students in pursuit of a higher education.
Eligibility
All New York City college bound high school seniors are eligible to apply for the bai Corporate Scholarship and previous scholarship recipients currently in their freshmen, sophomore, and junior year of college. Students with an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Business/Finance are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicant must submit:
- Completed application
- One Essay
- Letter of Recommendation
- Official Transcript
- Professional Photograph
Recipients are selected based on a written essay, academic achievement and financial need.
bai Mentor Program
FREE for High School Students
The Mentor Program connects motivated New York City teens with acknowledged successful professional adults to realize their full potential through a variety of academic and social resources and experiences. Mentors have been recognized as Achievers in Industry at the Harlem YMCA’s Annual Awards Ceremony, referred by a Achiever Alum, or recommended by their respective corporations to participate in this program. Mentors are linked with mentees based on the mentee’s career goal and mentor’s area of expertise, as well as their common hobbies/ personal interests. Mentors and Mentees develop their own schedule of educational, social and recreational activities, based on their mutual schedules, and participate in a host of YMCA events during the school year that nurture a mentoring relationship. Mentors are encouraged to assist the YMCA in the efforts of conducting quality workshops and seminars, which focus on college readiness and career and personal development.
For more information, contact Gigi Davis at gdavis@ymcanyc.org
bai College Tour
High School Students
The bai College Tour is an annual trip that allows the Harlem YMCA to take 40 college bound high school juniors to visit a number of Historical Colleges & Universities. Each year the itinerary changes, but some of the regular stops include: Hampton, Spelman, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta, North Carolina A&T and many more!
Corporate Internship Program
Corporate Internship Program (est. 2011)
The Corporate Internship Program offers the Corporate Scholarship recipients an enriching experience that gives them relevant and necessary training to move forward in pursuing their career.
Successful scholarship recipients are paired with partnering corporations and placed within the organizations for hands-on training, skills development and work experiences.
During this professional placement, students network and work closely with professionals in their field of study.
Corporations provide an enriching and rewarding experience that includes industry-specific exposure and challenging project assignments to the interns.
The internship is a 9-week recruiting tool that creates an ongoing pipeline of future full-time employees.
It allows the corporation to be a part of the process of closing the skills gap, applying the latest in techniques and technology and enhancing their social media outreach while fostering leadership skills in current employees.
Swim & Sports
Swim Lessons
Teens can learn to swim and improve their skills. Swimming programs are not part of the Teen Center.
Lifeguard Training and Certification
Become a certified lifeguard and help save lives.
Youth Sports
Teens can learn to play a sport, develop make new friends, and become empowered in youth sports programs such as basketball, soccer and martial arts. Sports programs are not part of the Teen Center.
