Our Youth Programs provides the children of Mercy Center’s families with academic support and enrichment activities in a safe and supportive environment.
After School Program – We offer the children of Mercy Center families a safe space where each child is encouraged to grow academically, socially and creatively. With caring, responsible adults and engaging activities, we connect each child to his/her school, family and community. We provide homework help and educational opportunities that foster creative ways to learn and have fun! In addition, we offer enrichment activities such as robotics, dance, arts and crafts, games and separate boys and girls groups. Open to children of Mercy Center adult participants.
Dance to Unite – This dynamic program brings dance and social-emotional learning opportunities to our 1st-8th grade students. Through weekly classes from October to June, professional teachers use dance as a vehicle to explore cultural diversity, kindness, respect, and other core values. Students experience creative self-expression while building self-esteem skills and celebrating different backgrounds. The program culminates in an end-of-year performance highlighting what they’ve learned and provides an enriching artistic outlet that fosters cultural appreciation and personal growth.
Summer Day Camp – we offer a 4-week Summer Camp during the month of July, offering our children a safe environment to learn and have fun! Our Camp is designed to offer hands-on learning opportunities through recreational activities, social growth, and fun, educational field trips. Through these opportunities, our children develop skills in teamwork, leadership, and responsibility. Registration is open to children in Mercy Center’s After School, with a limited number of spots available to children of Mercy Center adult participants.
STEAM – The STEAM program at Mercy Center includes engaging, hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities through KiwiCo Kits. These kits promote problem-solving, creativity, and practical skills, transforming interests in science, engineering, or art into lifelong passions. During October and November, students dived into engineering focused projects twice a week: grades k – 1 are exploring “Robot Coder” kits, grades 2 – 3 are building “Crawling Robots” kits, grades 3 – 4 are working on “Jumping Robots” kits, and grades 5 – 6 are assembling “Snake Robots.” This approach to learning fosters problem solving, creativity, and teamwork while making learning exciting and interactive.
Fiver Children’s Foundation Partnership – The Fiver Children’s Foundation offers boys and girls from underserved communities the opportunity to attend a two-week tuition-free camp each summer at a rural upstate site. Fiver begins a ten-year commitment to families when children are in third grade, and also provides enrichment activities throughout the year. Designated as a local partner in 2003, a limited number of spots are available to children in Mercy Center Youth Programs each year.
FUNDERS
We are very grateful for the generosity of the individuals, groups, businesses, foundations, and friends that partner with us to provide education, family, civic, social, and economic programs to the residents of the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx. Together, we’re making a difference in the lives of the women, men and families that reside in our community.
