Category: afterschool programs

BYSC’s 2019 achievements drive program momentum in 2020

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Now in our 10th year of serving the Westchester community, BYSC has established its mission to close the gap in sports participation among under-served kids. The milestones reached, new initiatives explored, and the support that we have received through funding and volunteerism has delivered the momentum we need to continue our important work in 2020.

We thank you for your support and we hope you enjoy our highlight reel from 2019. Looking forward to an exciting and thriving 2020 in Westchester!

Program Spotlight: BYSC Basketball League

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Categories afterschool programs, inclusive sports, basketball, under-served communitiesTags

This January marks the third anniversary of Backyard Sports Cares Basketball League. The program engages more than 150 fourth and fifth graders in a weekly team practice and a Saturday morning game, where they have the opportunity to hone their competitive skills and have fun. For many of these athletes, the league has been their … Continue reading “Program Spotlight: BYSC Basketball League”

BYSC Alum Spotlight: Andrew Goldberg tells how volunteering with under-served kids impacted his life

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Categories volunteer teen mentors, afterschool programs, At risk youth, under-served communitiesTags , ,

Inspiring stories of growth, compassion, and success from Backyard Sports Cares volunteer alumni “It was a very fulfilling and interesting experience. When I look back on it, I wish I could relive some of it.” In this second installment of our series on BYSC former volunteers, we connected with Andrew Goldberg, a graduate of the … Continue reading “BYSC Alum Spotlight: Andrew Goldberg tells how volunteering with under-served kids impacted his life”

BYSC executive director announces Next Generation Campaign to lead organization into the future

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Categories Teen Mentors, afterschool programs, fundraisingTags , ,

  LISTEN to our podcast interview with Danny Bernstein, executive director, BYSC When Backyard Sports Cares launched in 2009, we knew we were doing something special. There was a void for many parents in the Westchester Community who were seeking either affordable sports programming for their typical child or programs that were accommodating to their … Continue reading “BYSC executive director announces Next Generation Campaign to lead organization into the future”

Gannett Grant Fever Simmers as BYSC Earns Finalist Standing for $25K award

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Categories afterschool programs, inclusive sports, Soccer, basketball, under-served communities

Backyard Sports Cares (BYSC) has earned finalist status to potentially win Gannett Media’s A Community Thrives grant. To qualify as a grant finalist, BYSC had to raise $3,000 via a Crowdrise Campaign. The organization has exceeded that goal by raising more than $4,000 in three weeks — four days in advance of the campaign cutoff. … Continue reading “Gannett Grant Fever Simmers as BYSC Earns Finalist Standing for $25K award”

The guru behind the GAGA ball — And BYSC’s Mission GAGA 2018

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Categories Volunteers, afterschool programs, GaGa programTags , , ,

When you hear the name Talon Athletics, the sport of GaGa may not spring to mind, but it should. Based on an inspiration by Scott Blumberg and Will Perez more than five years ago, Talon Athletics has grown into the largest supplier of GaGa Pits, protective gloves, as well as the premier host of GaGa … Continue reading “The guru behind the GAGA ball — And BYSC’s Mission GAGA 2018”

Youth Soccer Participation has Fallen Sharply — Cost of Entry Among Principle Causes

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Categories afterschool programs, inclusive sports, Soccer, under-served communitiesTags

This past week, the New York Times published a story about the decline in youth soccer participation in the US. According to the report, over the past three years, the percentage of 6- to 12-year-olds playing soccer regularly has dropped nearly 14 percent, to 2.3 million players. The number of children who touched a soccer … Continue reading “Youth Soccer Participation has Fallen Sharply — Cost of Entry Among Principle Causes”

Bridging cultural differences through sport: Visiting UK coaches introduce rugby and cricket to Westchester grade schoolers

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Categories afterschool programs, inclusive sports, special needs sportsTags

Backyard Sports Cares “guest counselors”, Rhodrey Dafydd and Tom Finnigan of the United Kingdom, recently spent the month of May participating in our afterschool and special needs programs.  They led early morning and recess rugby and cricket programs to elementary school students in White Plains and New Rochelle. They also assisted in a physical education … Continue reading “Bridging cultural differences through sport: Visiting UK coaches introduce rugby and cricket to Westchester grade schoolers”

#MissionGaGa takes flight at Mt. Vernon Boys & Girls Club

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Categories afterschool programs, under-served communities, GaGa programTags ,

As part of Backyard Sports Cares’ Mission: Gaga 2018 initiative, BYSC, in conjunction with host families, will be donating a portable gaga pit to the Boys and Girls Club so they can enjoy the game all year-round. To get the kids formally introduced to gaga action, Backyard Sports Cares hosted a Gaga Day on Thursday, January … Continue reading “#MissionGaGa takes flight at Mt. Vernon Boys & Girls Club”

Productive Discussion: BYSC brings local at-risk youths together with role models from the Westchester Knicks

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Categories afterschool programs, basketball, At risk youth, under-served communitiesTags

How do you get at-risk youths in crisis to open up and take some hard-won advice? If you’re Backyard Sports Cares, the answer is pizza…and a few local heroes from the Westchester Knicks! This past week, Danny Bernstein, executive director, Backyard Sports Cares, decided to add a unique dimension to the recreational programming that the … Continue reading “Productive Discussion: BYSC brings local at-risk youths together with role models from the Westchester Knicks”

Backyard Sports Cares Leads Art Appreciation Program at Yonkers DaySpring Center

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Categories afterschool programs, Art programsTags ,

Following successful programs with the White Plains Youth Bureau and the Mary Blige Center, Penny Bauersfeld of Scarsdale recently completed a six-week “Learning to Look” art appreciation program with 12 elementary school-aged children from the Day Spring Center in Yonkers. The program includes five weeks of afterschool study of various periods and artists.  Children learn … Continue reading “Backyard Sports Cares Leads Art Appreciation Program at Yonkers DaySpring Center”

Game, Set and Match! — An Interview with BYSC Tennis Coach Rita

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Categories afterschool programs, under-served communities, tennis

By Arden Franklyn Although some believe tennis is an exclusive sport, it’s actually largely recognized around the world as a mainstream activity that can be played by virtually anyone.  I recently caught up with Coach Rita, who leads the Backyard Sports Cares’ afterschool tennis program every Thursday at Ridgeway Elementary. The veteran tennis coach typically … Continue reading “Game, Set and Match! — An Interview with BYSC Tennis Coach Rita”

BYSC Tennis Program Flourishes at Ridgeway Elementary

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Categories afterschool programs, tennisTags

By Arden Franklyn Every Thursday, for 90-minutes, Rita, BYSC’s Tennis Coach, leads a group of 10 kids from Ridgeway Elementary through various energizing drills that are focused on the fundamentals of tennis. But the drills themselves aren’t the only reason why improvement has been evident among these young players. Before rackets or balls take to … Continue reading “BYSC Tennis Program Flourishes at Ridgeway Elementary”