Gilman Rec-Connect, the Hunters Point Family’s newest program, is part of a city-wide initiative of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, to leverage the synergy and resources of community based organizations to create dynamic community centers throughout the city. The goal of the Gilman Rec-Connect program is to revitalize the recreational activities offered and create new programming for over 200 youth and their families each year, for youth and their families living in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood.
The governance of the project has been designed to be a Youth/Adult partnership that empowers adolescent community residents to assume responsibility for community development. Consistent with the Hunters Point Family’s philosophy and practices, all services are delivered within the framework of youth development principles. Gilman Rec-Connect is a unique youth led program that promotes youth leadership, education, recreation, and offers programming that encourages youth and family engagement within a safe and inviting environment. Gilman Rec-Connect’s decision making structure reflects our vision to create a youth-led program that is supported by adult co-leads from the Hunters Point Family. All decisions related to programming, activities, and events are made by the Youth Steering Team. The Program Director assists youth to come to a consensus and make responsible decisions by helping them to weigh various relevant factors, playing out possible scenarios, and playing devils advocate.
Gilman Rec-Connect partners with various other programs and organizations to offer a variety of activities for participants with various interests and skill levels, including: Streetside Stories, Tree Frog Treks, Music in Schools Today, Boy Scouts of America, Acrosports, Lacross for Life, Kipp Bay Academy, Girls 2000, Alice Griffith Community Garden.
Gilman playground operates in the fall and winter from 10am to 7pm[j1] Monday – Friday, and occasional Saturdays. During the spring and summer the hours of operation are 9am to 8pm Monday – Friday and occasionally on Saturdays. The following activities are offered at the program: Basketball, Tree Frog Treks, Sports, Space for Daycare Providers’ Play Area Drumming, Cooking Class, Weight Training, Yoga, Streetside Stories, Community Advisory Group Meetings, Movie Nights, Arts & Crafts, Dance Class, Gender-Specific Groups, Outings, Barbecue/Picnic, Games, and Community Meetings
Gilman Rec-Connect staff solicit on-going feedback from youth and conduct an annual community assessment to ensure that its programs remain true to the original vision while remaining responsive to changing community needs
[j1]See message in email and insure dates on page 3 and here are consistent.
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