Success and Opportunity

A Year of Dedication, Collaboration, and Expansion  …And a chance to double your contribution In fiscal 2022 SGHY expanded services by 150%, increasing the number of school partnerships from two to five as well as greatly expanding the curriculums we can offer.  Thanks to generous contributions from our individual, corporate, and union supporters we have, so far, been able to provide a wide variety of programs in 1,180 sessions in fiscal 2023(Fall 2022); but there… Continue reading

We’ve Added More Enrichment

More Enrichment_Camp Zeke

This year…and next, SGHY has added more enrichment Implementing Sophie Gerson’s vision, SGHY’s unique, effective program model is identifying more enrichment with the best program providers and camps to our schools. This effort brings teachers from the schools alongside the coaches and instructors to assure complete for each student’s needs. Over the past two years SGHY has supported or brought to our schools sports programs in the form of tennis, badminton, volleyball, basketball, running, field… Continue reading

This IS Rocket Science – The Podcast

Rocket Science

Columbia Space Initiative’s (CSI) all-new, in-house produced space podcast, This IS Rocket Science, created by Henry Manelski now contributes to the overall partnership between Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth and Columbia University. The first Rocket Science episode was released October 21st to Spotify, with neary weekly episodes following.  Click on the episode you’d like to hear on the media player above. In 2017 SGHY added added collaboration with Columbia University Departments of Athletics and Science, bringing… Continue reading

Reaching Higher in Sports and Academics

Reaching Higher in Sports and Academics with the Help of Our Friends In Summer 2017 SGHY had their most expansive summer camp program, ever.  More middle-school children and a greater variety of camps, thanks to the generosity of our benefactor Dr. David Milch and to Board Member Ayo Harrington who coordinated the logistics. This Fall SGHY also put in place their most exciting school year program, reaching higher in sports and academics.  More students in… Continue reading

Spring Benefit Delivers on Summer Camp

This Year’s Spring Benefit Tops Its Goal  A trendy restaurant lounge on the far West Side in the 30s actually sports a mini-basketball court. When it’s Walt “Clyde” Frazier’s place — Clyde Frazier’s Wine and Dine — that’s what you get, and it was an appropriate venue for the 2015 spring benefit for Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth….Tequila Minsky, The Villager, May 28th, 2015 Honored at the event were Walt Frazier; Steve Ashkinazy – an L.G.B.T.rights pioneer; Pastor… Continue reading

TeamFirst and Ty Grant Give MS 126 Something to Remember

On January 29th more than 30 middle school students at MS 126 got the treat of a lifetime from TeamFirst and Ty Grant. For two hours our students were totally immersed in some serious training.  The basketball clinic wasn’t just about hoop shots, it was a grueling physical workout, the essence of teamwork, focus and after all that, skill.  Ty and his assisting coach challenged, cajoled, nudged boys and girls in equal measure.  And these… Continue reading

SGHY Will Include Space Science Education

This year SGHY will include Space Science Education for classes in MS 302 and MS 126 to attend the New York City Center for Space Science Education (NYCCSSE) a science-rich educational experience operated by the Department of Education.  Our students will utilize a NASA Aerospace Laboratory and Mission Control and Space Shuttle simulators as well as a robotics Lab NYCCSSE provides students with hands-on science learning. Under the brilliant leadership of its Director, Katherine Brown and its… Continue reading

Tennis and Basketball Day-Camp in Riverside Park

Kids of Summer Day Camp

Sixteen of our Bronx students this summer were enrolled at Tennis and Basketball Day-Camp in Riverside Park where they had intense basketball or tennis instruction, on the Hudson.  The Kids of Summer, one of the City’s top-quality day camps in connection with the Riverside Park Conservancy provided the instruction and facilities, and also generously discounted the cost.  SGHY arranged for transportation and remaining tuition.  Our kids came away with new skills, new confidence, new friends… Continue reading

Basketball Sleepaway Camp with Team First at Knox Boarding School

Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth - Ty Grant

 SGHY sponsored eight campers, four from each of our schools (MS 302 and MS 126), for a basketball sleepaway camp.  Retired NBA and St. Johns basketball star Tyrone Grant and his Team First coaches provided intense basketball training.  In addition, our inner-city kids —  many for the first time – experienced boating, swimming, and interacted with nature at Knox Boarding School on Long Island’s North Shore, as well as making a bunch of new friends.… Continue reading

Summer at Julian Krinsky Tennis Camp

Julian Krinsky Tennis Camp-Lunch

For the past two years SGHY has allowed two students from each school (MS 302 and MS 126) to attend a one-week session at the Julian Krinsky Tennis Camp, one of the nation’s premier tennis programs for young people.  The Krinsky organization generously accommodated two campers for the tuition of one.  In addition to new tennis skills, new friends, and lots of fun, these middle-school campers also derive inspiration from living on the Haverford College… Continue reading

Outdoor Adventures

Outdoor Adventures This Year Included Sleep-Away Camp with Manhattan Youth and the Appalachian Mountain Club. For most of our students the wilderness consists of a schoolyard or city park.  Sophie Gerson believed that all city kids need to fully experience nature and the great outdoors. SGHY arranged for two boys and two girls to join with Manhattan Youth, one of our city’s top quality youth service providers, for some real outdoor adventures.  For a week,… Continue reading

Sophie Gerson Tennis Cup

  The First Annual Sophie Gerson Cup between MS 302 from The Bronx and MS 126 from the Lower East Side/Chinatown in Manhattan – unbelievable ! This years tennis training culminated in a tennis tournament at Columbia University’s Dick Savitt Tennis Center at Baker’s Field. At the first annual Sophie Gerson Tennis Cup, our middle school tennis players were thrilled to play on the home courts of Columbia’s Ivy League Champion Men’s and Women’s Tennis… Continue reading

After School Tennis at MS 126

  After school tennis at MS 126 played at the East River Tennis Courts. Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth (SGHY) brought New York Junior Tennis and Learning (NYJTL),  their coaches and full program to the South Bronx and to Lower East Side this year. Working with teachers, NYJTL conducted an after school tennis program during the Spring semester. The program gave the students tennis rackets and three days a week of instruction with professional tennis players. The… Continue reading

After School Tennis at MS 302

after school tennis_ms302

  The After school tennis program for MS 302, uses the new Bronx Crotona Park Tennis Center Sophie always said, “Tennis is my racket.”  SGHY brought New York Junior Tennis and Learning (NYJTL),  the NYJTL coaches and their program to the South Bronx as well as the Lower East Side, this year. Working with these Middle School’s teachers, NYJTL conducted after school tennis programs during the Spring semester. What did the students have to say?… Continue reading

Summer Dance Institute

Partners - National-Dance-Institute

  The Irene Diamond Summer Dance Institute at the Renown National Dance Institute Is a Great Success.   For the past two summers SGHY has provided stipends to enable two students to attend NDI’s summer institute. This year SGHY will also sponsor after-school dance programs by NDI for MS 302 and MS 126 students. Here’s what our students have to say about it:  You learn a lot about jazz, ballet, tap and music that definitely… Continue reading

Sophie’s Stars Join Girls Basketball League

Sophie’s Stars Win  The Greenwich House Malakoff Girls Basketball League Championship SGHY provided an opportunity for more girls to play basketball by reviving the Sophie’s Stars team.  Sophie’s Stars won the league championship!  But, as Sophie would say, all girls won just by participating. “Sophie was one of the very first sponsors of the Greenwich Village Girls Basketball League twenty years ago, recalls Harry Malakoff, Commissioner and founder of the League. “She was, and her foundation… Continue reading

Girls Volley Ball at MS 302 in the Bronx.

Girls Volley Ball- MS302

If it’s Saturday, its girls volley ball at MS 302 in the Bronx. SGHY funding opened the school’s gym for the girls volleyball team to practice and play – and enjoy comraderie in a safe place with teacher supervision.  No wonder the MS 302 team won their division’s championship. This year SGHY will sponsor Summer Volley Ball for the students of MS 302. And here’s what the students had to say: Thank you for helping… Continue reading