Across the country, Community Builders have made the most of their facilitation role in NYSP, resulting in large increases in the numbers of youth participants from public housing. For example, in Massachusetts, five NYSP participating colleges increased their enrollment significantly with the help of Community Builder Fellow Martin Nee and Special Assistant Dave Powers. The participating colleges were able to entice an additional 400 public housing youths to participate in the program for the first time.

"This program was tremendously valuable to the young people of New Bedford's public housing," said Joseph Finnerty, Director of New Bedford Public Housing. "Beyond the educational and sports training provided, our young residents were exposed to positive undergraduate role models and the experience of being on a university campus. For many this was the first time in this setting. I am certain that many of the participants will be inspired to consider the values of college in a different light. We greatly appreciate the work of UMASS Dartmouth, the NCAA and HUD in this summer's program."

In Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University’s award winning NYSP initiative opened it’s doors to 30 youth from the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) for the first time. Community Builder Fellow Paul Diegelman worked closely with NYSP Project Administrator and Case Western Coach Dennis Harris, the CMHA Executive Director, and the University’s Director of Resident Opportunities and Community Initiatives. From this new relationship forged through NYSP, the Case Western Reserve University and the housing authority have created a partnership that will involve the youth of CMHA on an year round basis.

"I believe this was the best camp we have had in our history, and the youth from CMHA had a lot to do with this success," said Harris. "The CMHA youth that attended our summer program had a great time and were the ‘talk of camp.’ They brought a freshness and newness to this camp that was refreshing to all participants and staff. On behalf of Case Western Reserve University and CMHA, I would like to thank HUD for its involvement in the National Youth Sports Program."

"Participating in the National Youth Sports Program was an incredibly rewarding experience," said Deigelman. "There are no words that can truly describe the look on the faces of the youth that were awarded bicycles. (Four CMHA youth were awarded bicycles for excellence at programs end; their parents were also invited to watch the children receive their awards.) The look of sheer pride and joy should entice us all to make sure more public housing youth have the opportunity to participate in similar programs."

NYSP activities typically provide a combination of academic, personal development and athletic activities. Special emphasis is given to programming that focus on math and science, alcohol and substance abuse prevention, nutrition and personal health, and career opportunities.

"The HUD effort helps expand the boundaries of the universities . . . this grassroots relationship-building effort, although still evolving, has been quite succesful to date," said Ed Thiebe, National Director of NYSP. "It has enabled us to target the program to a universe of children that have not always been able to take advantage of this or similar programs."

Community Builder Fellow Anita Font helped facilitate outreach to young people in residences managed by the Tucson Housing Authority. Recently, the local NBC affiliate covered the local NYSP program.   Click here to view a webcast of the NBC story. (http://www.iti-corp.com/hud/archive/archive-8-16-99-21-n.htm)