“Raise your hand if you have ever been surfing before…” only the instructors’ hands raised as we looked around and wiggled our toes in the warm sand. Like many of the programs we offer, our annual surfing trip is a brand-new experience for the youth which we serve. In September, 2022 on a warm, sunny … Continue reading “Surfs Up!”
I’m a first-year student at Harvard College studying government and environmental science. In addition to my formal studies, I continue to be engaged in climate action as I have been for the past three years. In the midst of my climate advocacy while I was in high school, I spent one month with Backyard Sports … Continue reading “From BYSC Volunteer to Harvard: Michael Waxman”
Allison, Ben, Samantha (17), Jacob (14) and Rebecca (11) all found their way to Backyard Sports Cares through separate, yet equally meaningful paths. “Whenever we are looking for a meaningful way to give, Backyard Sports Cares is always there to connect us to amazing opportunities,” says Allison. Allison chairs the Family Mitzvah Corps group at … Continue reading “Volunteer Spotlight: The Friedland Family”
This past summer, BYSC sponsored a trip for 25 boys and girls (ages 6-16) who traveled from Mount Vernon to Brant Lake to spend a weekend enjoying the camp. The kids are part of BYSC board member Nesta Felix’s Newflex Youth Program which aims to build leaders in struggling communities through mentoring, leadership and sports … Continue reading “Volunteer Spotlight: Charlie Block and Jonah Segal at Brant Lake Camp”
For the past 12 months at Battle Hill Park in White Plains, the fields have been strangely quiet. No soccer balls, frisbees or baseballs and even worse, no sounds of kids playing. But all that changed in April when Backyard Sports Cares launched a pick up soccer program for kids 8-14. It takes place under … Continue reading “Pick Up Soccer at Battle Hill Park”
Fortunately, I don’t have to reach back too far to recount a personal, but formative sports experience which has shaped the introduction of one of our recent initiatives. Shortly after settling in Westchester with a young family in the mid ‘90’s, I participated in a weekend early morning sandlot soccer game with neighboring dads (and … Continue reading “Coach’s Corner: A “Pick Up” Pick Me Up”
When the Covid lockdown hit the Youth Shelter of Westchester, figuring out how to get the residents some exercise became a priority. “We were locked in this house and realized that if we didn’t get these guys out to burn off some steam, we were all going to go crazy,” explains Youth Shelter of Westchester … Continue reading “BYSC Builds a New Fitness Room at the Youth Shelter of Westchester”
We are happy to announce that White Plains Hospital has agreed to become a new corporate sponsor of Backyards Sports Cares. The sponsorship is specifically directed at our special needs programing and we are actively working together to develop new and creative ways to make the partnership work. White Plains Hospital Outreach Coordinator Amanda Gonzalez … Continue reading “White Plains Hospital Signs On as New Sponsor for Backyard Sports Cares”
It’s a match made in heaven(and if not heaven, at least a Methodist Church in Mount Vernon). The players include Backyard Sports Cares, the Youth Community Outreach Program and Gaga. Yes, Gaga, and for those that have never heard of it, it’s most easily described as a variation on dodgeball, with some important differences. First … Continue reading “Gaga at the Youth Community Outreach Program in Mount Vernon”
“Raise your hand if this was your first time ever playing tennis,” Coach Danny asked as we wrapped up our first session of Friday Night Tennis at Purchase College. “Raise your hand if you hit a forehand today,” Coach Danny continued. Almost every hand went up in the air accompanied by tall, proud shoulders and … Continue reading “Friday Night Tennis at Purchase College”
Fraternal twins Margot and Graydon Diamond, rising seniors at Scarsdale High School, are in their fourth year as volunteers at our special needs program at Purchase College. We recently got a chance to sit down with them to ask about their experience working with BYSC. Tell us what kind of experince do the BYSC kids … Continue reading “Volunteer Spotlight: Margot & Graydon Diamond”
This summer I had the vantage point to witness both the devastating effects of, and the creative opportunities inspired by, the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to youth sports in Westchester County. I was shown a tale of two cities. On one hand, children from the more affluent communities played in the roomy backyards of … Continue reading “Coach’s Corner: A Tale of Two Cities”
Jocelyn joined the Backyard Sports family when her son – now in college – was only three, and eventually became a founding Board member of Backyard Sports Cares. She is now helping to bring us into the future: this spring and summer, Jocelyn led the search committee for our first Development Officer. Far beyond resume-reading, … Continue reading “Board Spotlight: Jocelyn Sontag”
Backyard Sports Cares
75 South Broadway, Suite 453
White Plains, NY 10601
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Backyard Sports Cares is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Gifts to BYSC support programs that strengthen and enrich the development of Westchester children and are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
