Grant Provides Non-Traditional Sporting Activities for Athletes with Special Needs

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A new grant from the Westchester County Youth Bureau that focuses on non-traditional sporting events is providing new opportunities for our athletes with special needs! Sports like surfing, fishing, golf and bowling are all part of a special curriculum that BYSC is rolling out during the fall of 2022.

New York approved mobile sports betting last year and in doing so became the first state to allocate the portion of the state revenue from betting to fund annual grants targeting “sports programming for underserved youth.” And the funds generated from mobile sports betting are only expected to increase in the coming years, which is good news for the kids. We kicked off the new curriculum on a warm sunny day in September when we all gathered in Long Beach, NY for a day of surfing. With the help of Danny Mishkin from Sababa Beach Camps and the expert instructors from Skudin Surf, athletes with special needs and their volunteer coaches were popping up on their boards in no time.

And the fun is just beginning. Every few weeks until the end of the year, our athletes with special needs and volunteers will be enjoying time together experiencing a variety of non-traditional sports. And finally, a special shout out to Executive Director Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden at the Westchester County Youth Bureau for all her help in securing the funding for this program.

Coach’s Corner: Making The Extra Pass

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Categories Vol. 17 Fall 2022

Growing up in Westchester County, NY, my most formative years were shaped by sports. Whether I was trying out for a basketball team, playing kickball in the street after school or spending Christmas Day at Madison Square Garden with my mom, these moments have stuck with me my entire life. The ups and downs of … Continue reading “Coach’s Corner: Making The Extra Pass”

NBA Star & former MVP Camper Donovan Mitchell visits MVP Summer Camp

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Categories Vol. 17 Fall 2022

It was a very special day during the fifth week of MVP Summer Camp when Donovan Mitchell, three time NBA All-Star, showed up to offer advice and encouragement to the young basketball players. It was a homecoming of sorts for Mitchell, who attended MVP basketball camp more than 15 years ago when he was just … Continue reading “NBA Star & former MVP Camper Donovan Mitchell visits MVP Summer Camp”

BYSC’s Camp Shape in New Rochelle

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Categories Vol. 17 Fall 2022

As we do every summer, BYSC was once again at New Rochelle High School running a four week summer program called Camp Shape. More than 150 campers participated in one of three sports: soccer, tennis and basketball. Program participants are New Rochelle students who range in age from 7 to 15 and, while BYSC charges … Continue reading “BYSC’s Camp Shape in New Rochelle”

Summer Programming at Dayspring Community Center in Yonkers

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Categories Vol. 17 Fall 2022

When we arrived in late July at the Dayspring Community Center to drop off a Gaga Pit that BYSC was donating, we were met with some raised eyebrows from the staff. “What kind of pit is this again?” they asked. Danny assured them they would soon know what Gaga was and that they would grow … Continue reading “Summer Programming at Dayspring Community Center in Yonkers”

BYSC Family Spotlight: The Rosenbaums

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Categories Vol. 17 Fall 2022

Kim and Rich Rosenbaum, and their four children, have been an important part of the BYSC family for more than seven years now. Their 17-year-old daughter Lindsay has participated as an athlete in our Sunday morning Special Needs programs while 15-year-old son Finn has worked as a volunteer. And even Lindsay’s 10-year-old twin sisters KC … Continue reading “BYSC Family Spotlight: The Rosenbaums”

Volunteer Spotlight: Ethan Sommers

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Categories Vol. 17 Fall 2022

Ethan Sommers is a senior at Edgemont High School. He’s been volunteering at Purchase College on Sunday mornings working with our special needs athletes since he was in 7th grade. We recently got a chance to sit down with him to ask about his experience working with BYSC. How did you get started with Backyard … Continue reading “Volunteer Spotlight: Ethan Sommers”