Health & Life Skills
BEKB isn’t just a mindset; it’s a commitment to ensuring every member graduates on time and is prepared for post-secondary education. Here’s how we’re making it happen.
Brent's Club
Meetings weekly | Ages 10 – 17
Brent’s Club is an innovative program for members ages 10-17 that encourages healthy lifestyle choices and prevents drug and alcohol use.
By promoting a drug-free lifestyle, the program offers benefits such as career and college exploration, academic success programs, activities, and community service.
Members can earn exciting incentives, including field trips, prizes, and college scholarships, thanks to the support of the Brent Shapiro Foundation.
Culinary & Healthy Habits
Recognizing the importance of health and nutrition education, we approached our local city council and successfully raised over $1 million in city funding and private donations to build a state-of-the-art kitchen.
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In our Culinary Learning Center, members have the chance to become young chefs, creating their own healthy dishes. They visit the market to select fresh produce and other nutritious items, then work together to prepare meals, all while learning valuable cooking and nutrition skills.
Smart Moves
The SMART Moves (Skills Mastery and Resilience Training) program tackles issues like drug and alcohol use and premature sexual activity with a comprehensive approach.
This prevention and education program engages young people ages 6 to 15 through discussions, role-playing, and skills practice. Participants develop resilience and refusal skills, assertiveness, and decision-making abilities while analyzing media and peer influence. By involving Club staff, peer leaders, parents, and community representatives, SMART Moves aims to foster responsible behavior and promote abstinence from substance abuse and adolescent sexual involvement.
Smart Girls
SMART Girls is a dynamic program designed to foster healthy attitudes and self-esteem in girls aged 8 to 18.
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This small-group initiative focuses on health, fitness, and prevention education. Through engaging sessions, participatory activities, and mentoring with adult women, participants explore personal and societal attitudes, develop skills for healthy eating and physical fitness, and learn about effective health care.
SMART Girls also emphasizes building positive relationships with peers and adults, supporting girls as they grow into confident, well-rounded individuals.
Youth Development
School’s Out New York City (SONYC)
SONYC is a transformative program for 6th to 8th graders, offering a structured, club-like environment where youth can choose how to spend their time. With a focus on rigorous instruction in sports and arts, SONYC empowers students through youth leadership and community service. The City becomes a dynamic classroom with educational trips and beyond-the-classroom learning opportunities. Programs run three hours daily, five days a week.
COMPASS SONYC Pilot
Launched in 2015, the COMPASS SONYC Pilot provides specialized programming for middle school youth in ACS and homeless facilities. In collaboration with the Administration for Children Services, the Department of Homeless Services, and community organizations, the pilot aims to build supportive relationships, keep adolescents on track, and foster optimism. The goal is to stimulate curiosity, nurture talents, broaden horizons, build resilience, and inspire youth to envision brighter futures.
Emotional Wellness Program
The Emotional Wellness Program at Kips Bay is dedicated to breaking the stigma around counseling and therapy.
By fostering an open and supportive environment, we encourage kids to seek help for any issue, from urgent concerns like self-harm to everyday challenges such as career choices or relationship dilemmas.
Our program provides a safe space for members to explore their feelings and connect with support groups, helping them build strong, positive bonds within their community. Here, help is always accessible, and support is always just a step away.
Youth Employment Program
The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the nation's largest youth employment initiative, offering NYC youth aged 14 to 24 valuable career exploration and paid work experiences each summer.
Participants explore various interests and career paths, develop essential workplace habits, and engage in activities that enhance their social, civic, and leadership skills. Through structured projects and work-based opportunities, SYEP equips young people with the skills and experiences needed for future career success.