Fresh Youth Initiatives

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Fresh Youth Initiatives

FYI empowers youth who have the fewest resources to reach their greatest potential. Our annual 5K Fundraiser is coming up! Race weekend is November 12-14.

Afterschool, summer, and in-school programs provide 1,200 children and teens in Washington Heights/ Inwood with no-cost academic, cultural, and social-emotional supports. Donate or sign up to become a fundraiser on our Race Website - https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/NewYork/FreshYouth5K

06/08/2026

Last month, we asked young people about how they take care of themselves and where they feel most like themselves.
Their answers were different, but a common thread emerged: belonging grows in spaces where people feel connected, supported, and free to be themselves.

We were honored that some young people named FYI among those spaces.

This month, we're reflecting on the importance of spaces where people feel seen, valued, and welcomed.

Belonging is community wellness. 💛🌈

***

El mes pasado, les preguntamos a los jóvenes cómo cuidan de sí mismos y en qué lugares se sienten más auténticos.

Sus respuestas fueron diferentes, pero surgió un tema en común: el sentido de pertenencia crece en espacios donde las personas se sienten conectadas, apoyadas y libres de ser ellas mismas.

Nos sentimos honrados de que algunos jóvenes mencionaran a FYI como uno de esos espacios.

Este mes, reflexionamos sobre la importancia de crear espacios donde las personas se sientan vistas, valoradas y bienvenidas.

El sentido de pertenencia es bienestar comunitario. 💛🌈

06/03/2026

FYI Volleyball team clinched a Final Four playoff spot in the DYCD Girls Volleyball League. Join us this Sunday at 12 PM at Brooklyn College and cheer on the team!

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¡El equipo de voleibol de FYI aseguró su pase al Final 4! Acompáñanos este domingo a las 12 PM en Brooklyn College para apoyar al equipo.

05/27/2026

FYI Soccer Club Visits Yankee Stadium

For the first time in our middle school sports programming, we launched a Soccer Club and celebrated with a visit to Yankee Stadium.

Our students watched New York City Football Club live, experiencing the energy of the game and deepening their connection to the sport.

Moments like this go beyond the game. They spark passion, build confidence, and help young people see themselves in new spaces. Experiences like this expand what feels possible, strengthen community, and inspire our youth to stay engaged, committed, and dream bigger both on and off the field.

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El Club de Fútbol de FYI visita el Yankee Stadium

Por primera vez en nuestra programación deportiva de escuela intermedia, lanzamos un Club de Fútbol y lo celebramos con una visita a Yankee Stadium.

Nuestros estudiantes tuvieron la oportunidad de ver a New York City Football Club en vivo, experimentando la energía del juego y fortaleciendo su conexión con el deporte.

Momentos como este van más allá del juego. Despiertan pasión, fortalecen la confianza y ayudan a los jóvenes a verse en nuevos espacios. Experiencias como esta amplían lo que sienten posible, fortalecen la comunidad e inspiran a nuestros jóvenes a mantenerse comprometidos, motivados y a soñar en grande dentro y fuera del campo.

05/26/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported our heART of Leadership Benefit & Fundraiser 💙💛✨

We’re incredibly grateful to our guests, staff, supporters, and community for making the evening so special. Events like this remind us of the power of community, connection, and investing in young people together.

A special thank you to La Pulpería for the beautiful space and amazing vibes throughout the night! 🌟

***

Gracias a todos los que asistieron y apoyaron nuestro heART of Leadership Benefit & Fundraiser 💛✨

Estamos profundamente agradecidos con nuestros invitados, staff, colaboradores y comunidad por hacer de esta noche algo tan especial. Eventos como este nos recuerdan el poder de la comunidad, la conexión y la importancia de invertir juntos en nuestros jóvenes.

¡Un agradecimiento especial a La Pulpería por el hermoso espacio y las increíbles vibras durante toda la noche! 🌟

05/25/2026

Healing is not one-dimensional: it lives in movement, joy, and belonging.

When young people are supported to move their bodies, express themselves, set boundaries, connect with others, and be heard, they build tools for resilience that extend far beyond any single space!

Community wellness grows when youth are seen, valued, and given room to define what healing looks like for themselves.

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El sanar no es un proceso de una sola dimensión: vive en el movimiento, la alegría y el sentido de pertenencia.

Cuando los jóvenes reciben apoyo para mover sus cuerpos, expresarse, establecer límites, conectar con otros y sentirse escuchados, desarrollan herramientas de resiliencia que van mucho más allá de cualquier espacio individual.

El bienestar comunitario crece cuando los jóvenes son vistos, valorados y reciben el espacio para definir por sí mismos cómo se ve la sanación.

05/18/2026

We asked various FYI teams behind the scenes to ask a critical question: What do our young people actually need from us right now? The answer was unanimous. They don’t need more lectures: they need a safety net. They need consistent, non-judgmental guidance outside the home to help navigate the struggles they keep bottled up.

Our entire staff is here to build that bridge. Because youth mental health is community health.⚡️💚

*******
Les preguntamos a varios equipos de FYI una pregunta crucial: ¿Qué necesitan nuestros jóvenes de nosotros en este momento? La respuesta fue unánime: no necesitan más sermones; necesitan una red de seguridad. Necesitan una orientación constante y libre de juicios, fuera del entorno familiar, que les ayude a afrontar las dificultades que llevan reprimidas.

Todo nuestro personal está aquí para tender ese puente. Porque la salud mental de los jóvenes es salud comunitaria. ⚡️💚

05/11/2026

FYI’s Spring Wellness Event kicked off Mental Health Awareness Month the Uptown way 💚🌷

From homemade morir soñando made with love by staff, to young people volunteering and showing up for their community, kids (and adults!) getting their faces painted, families taking portraits together, free wellness resources, food pantry support, and so many beautiful moments in between - this day was a true reminder that healing happens in community.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible partners and friends: NMIC, Uptown Youth Collective, Girl Scouts NYC, Project in Motion, Bronx Special Kids, Donut Bites. We are also grateful for our ongoing local massage therapy support and Viva Uptown, for organizing their first Mental Health Awareness 5K in support of To Write Love on Her Arms, which culminated right here in our space! Thank you as well to Manny De Los Santos for stopping by and showing us all love!

Here’s to a month of healing, honest conversation, and radical self-care. Let’s look out for one another - because mental health is community health.

- FYI Community Wellness Team 💛🌱

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04/23/2026

It was truly an all‑hands‑on‑deck experience, April Spring Break, Reverse Week at PS 128, as students and group leaders worked together to create collaborative sculptures inspired by local landmarks in the Washington Heights–Inwood community.

Kindergarten and first‑grade students created their own imaginative version of the George Washington Bridge, exploring scale, structure, and teamwork. Second‑ and third‑grade participants brought the Little Red Lighthouse under the George Washington Bridge to life, focusing on structure, color and shared construction. Fourth‑ and fifth‑grade students took on the challenge of recreating architectural elements of The Met Cloisters, working collaboratively to interpret its unique forms and history.

These small-scale collaborative sculptures reflect creativity, and perseverance. All completed works will be exhibited and auctioned at our fundraiser event on May 12.

A heartfelt thank you to all group leaders who supported students through this ambitious and challenging endeavor. Your guidance made these meaningful works possible.

04/20/2026

Seeing Double? Nope just celebrating Students Dress as Staff here at Luperon! Senior Erica dressed as Ms.Darielle! Is that a future FYI staff we see? 🤩

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¿Viendo doble? ¡No! Solo celebrando como los estudiantes se visten como el personal de trabajo aquí en Gregorio Luperón. ¡La estudiante senior Erica se vistió como la Sra. Darielle! ¿Será que estamos viendo a una futura staff de FYI? 🤩

02/28/2026

Winter tried it. We didn’t slow down. ❄️💙

From El Mercadito and Snowman Day to consent workshops, anime club trips, and community wellness. FYI showed up, stayed warm, and kept the impact moving. (Shout-out for organizing the toy drive)

Impact does not freeze. 💪✨

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El invierno lo intentó. Nosotros no bajamos el ritmo. ❄️💙

Desde El Mercadito y Snowman Day hasta talleres de consentimiento, salidas del club de anime y eventos de bienestar comunitario. En FYI seguimos presentes, mantuvimos el calor y el impacto en marcha.

El impacto no se congela. 💪✨

Address

505 W 171st Street
New York, NY
10032

Website

http://www.freshyouth.org/

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