Category: volunteer teen mentors

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!

Working with special needs children sparks education career for former BYSC volunteer

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Categories Teen Mentors, volunteer teen mentors, special needs sportsTags

Inspiring stories of growth, compassion, and success from Backyard Sports Cares volunteer alumni   “I knew for a while after working with kids that I wanted to go into education, in general. After taking a special education class, the information and practices we learned felt like an extension of everything I had been doing with … Continue reading “Working with special needs children sparks education career for former BYSC volunteer”

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”

Former BYSC volunteer, Emily Holzberg, finds her experience and compassion add value to career and client, Autism Speaks

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Categories volunteer teen mentors, special needs sportsTags ,

As parents, we try to instill values, like compassion, leadership, respect, and charity in our children. Volunteerism has traditionally played a role in helping to teach kids that giving to others who are less fortunate is a way to build character, connect diverse communities, and increase awareness of the world outside of their zip code. … Continue reading “Former BYSC volunteer, Emily Holzberg, finds her experience and compassion add value to career and client, Autism Speaks”

Learning to play basketball also teaches sharing and teamwork among teens with special needs

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Categories volunteer teen mentors, special needs sports, basketballTags ,

Consuelo Engel shares her and her son James’ experience as a participant in Backyard Sports Cares PLUS program for teen athletes with special abilities. For more than two years, 18-year-old James has been building his skills on the court while connecting with teammates and volunteer peer mentors. The teen program is an off-shoot of BYSC … Continue reading “Learning to play basketball also teaches sharing and teamwork among teens with special needs”

Passing the Baton: Backyard Sports 2019 Inaugural Red Shirt Ceremony

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Categories Teen Mentors, Red Shirts, volunteer teen mentors

Backyard Sports Cares started with just a few caring people and a vision in 2009 and has grown into what is now an integral part of our community. Serving over 200 children with cognitive challenges, Backyard Sports has been able to give those with limited access to sports programming a safe space to play sports, … Continue reading “Passing the Baton: Backyard Sports 2019 Inaugural Red Shirt Ceremony”

BYSC Peer Mentor Shares Her Experience Volunteering with Special Needs Athletes

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Categories Teen Mentors, Red Shirts, volunteer teen mentors, special needs sportsTags , , ,

Emily Lattman is a senior at Scarsdale High School. When she’s not studying and hanging out with friends, she’s giving back to the community by volunteering her time as a peer mentor for Backyard Sports Cares PLUS program for special needs children. We caught up with Emily after last Sunday’s sports program and she talked … Continue reading “BYSC Peer Mentor Shares Her Experience Volunteering with Special Needs Athletes”

Brothers find connection through BYSC Program for Special Needs Athletes

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Categories Red Shirts, volunteer teen mentors, special needs sports, Soccer, basketball

James Fitzpatrick, former BYSC teen mentor and “Red Shirt” alum, comes back to visit PLUS program athletes, including his brother Kyle. We chatted with James Fitzpatrick this past weekend when he came to pick up brother, Kyle, from our Sunday program for special needs athletes. Now a Geometry and Spanish teacher at Iona Prep, James … Continue reading “Brothers find connection through BYSC Program for Special Needs Athletes”