{"id":238184,"date":"2026-05-20T16:43:05","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T16:43:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/238184\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T16:43:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T16:43:05","slug":"bronx-residents-rally-against-funding-cuts-to-renaissance-youth-center-bronx-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/238184\/","title":{"rendered":"Bronx residents rally against funding cuts to Renaissance Youth Center \u2013 Bronx Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than 100 people packed the recital room at Renaissance Youth Center<\/a> (RYC) in Morrisania to protest city funding cuts totaling nearly $800,000 that put its afterschool and school-based programming at risk.<\/p>\n

Several staff members, alumni, and Bronx families who rely on RYC spoke passionately against the cuts, saying that the decision was made without explanation and despite the organization\u2019s 25-year track record of service to the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The cuts to RYC come amid a major expansion<\/a> of free afterschool programs under the Comprehensive After School System of New York City (COMPASS), run by the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), which aims to add 184,000 slots in the next two years. <\/p>\n

In response to the Bronx Times\u2019 inquiry, a DYCD spokesperson said in a statement that the agency \u201cis committed to providing free, high quality afterschool programming to families across all five boroughs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe COMPASS center-based procurement, the first in more than a decade, was a competitive, criteria-driven process designed to modernize the system, increase contract rates, and expand access in high-need communities. DYCD recognizes the vital role Renaissance Youth Center has played in the South Bronx community, and we remain committed to working with key stakeholders to continue to connect communities to the resources and supports they need,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n

If the proposed cuts take effect, leaders said RYC would lose at least 35 staff members, most of whom are South Bronx locals, and services would be cut for 120 students at seven schools, plus hundreds more who attend afterschool and weekend programs. On Saturdays, the center operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and can see as many as 450 kids, staff told the Bronx Times.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Council Member Althea Stevens joined RYC Founder and CEO Bervin Harris (right) to say she would \u201cfight like hell\u201d against the cuts. Photo by Emily Swanson<\/p>\n

RYC currently uses three floors of their 3485 Third Ave. building for programming and had hoped to expand to the fourth and fifth before learning of the cuts in early April. The center includes rooms for music practice and performance, coding, engineering, agriculture, architecture and even zoology, home to a gecko, two bearded dragons, three turtles, a giant fish and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"The agriculture room at RYC, where students learn to grow hydroponic produce. Photo by Emily Swanson<\/p>\n

Bervin Harris established RYC in 2021 and told families and staff he was \u201cheartbroken and disappointed\u201d by the cuts \u2014 especially since the organization received millions in public funds just last fall to purchase the building<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When RYC bought for $7 million<\/a>, at least half of the funds were allocated by Borough President Vanessa <\/a>Gibson, Assembly Member Chantel Jackson, Council Member Althea Stevens and others. Public records<\/a> also show numerous past funding awards from council members and other electeds.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would you spend millions of dollars on getting us able to purchase the property, then take away the money to run the service?\u201d Harris said. \u201cHelp it make sense.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Harris said his center offers more than most because of its programming in STEM, arts, sports, leadership and more, and that it plays a vital role in ensuring families have childcare, wifi, food and other necessities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The center\u2019s importance to the community was especially noticeable during the pandemic, Harris said. \u201cWhen the schools closed, we were here every day.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

He called for increased transparency into how funding decisions are made and encouraged families to use social media, make phone calls and send letters to elected officials \u2014 including Mayor Mamdani, who recently met RYC participants at the Five Boro Bike Tour after they sang<\/a> the National Anthem.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter 25 years of showing up for the community, we should be building our future, not defending our right to serve,\u201d Harris said. \u201cThis community will not quietly lose a program that has changed lives for decades.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Assistant Director Emilia Mercado, who has been with RYC for 11 years, said tearfully that finding her job at the center allowed her to escape domestic violence and raise five children alone. All her kids are now counselors at RYC, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my safe place, and I refuse to let it go down,\u201d Mercado said, before leading the group in the RYC cheer.\n<\/p>\n

\u2018These programs save lives\u2019<\/p>\n

Several parents took the mic and said that RYC provides a safe space for their kids, which is critical to their own ability to work, attend school and provide for their families.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Families worried about the funding cuts filled the performance room at RYC. Photo by Emily Swanson<\/p>\n

One mother said she never would\u2019ve been able to finish her college degree without sending her two daughters to the afterschool programs. Another mom, who said she and her daughter used to live in a domestic violence shelter, said her child with autism is bullied in school but \u201cshe loves coming here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Council Member Stevens, who represents the neighborhood and chairs the Committee on Children and Youth, said she had 20 years\u2019 experience running afterschool programs before becoming an elected official. From that experience, \u201cI know what a good program looks like,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stevens said that two programs in her district, both of which she considers \u201cpillars of the community,\u201d are now facing cuts.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThese programs save lives,\u201d she said. \u201cThey keep families together.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Like Harris, Stevens \u2014 who secured a total of $3.3 million towards the building purchase, according to RYC \u2014 also questioned the point of investing public funds only to cut programming. \u201cMake it make sense.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The council member said she is speaking to the current DYCD commissioner and mayor, though the funding decision was made under the previous administration. She also urged parents and young people to contact media outlets and attend city budget hearings.<\/p>\n

After all, rallies like the one at RYC saved one of her former programs from cuts years ago, she said.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Stevens vowed to \u201cfight like hell\u201d to protect funding for the Renaissance Youth Center. \u201cThis is one of the places we cannot lose.\u201d\u00a0
\n\"\"RYC\u2019s wall of photos includes images of parents helping to build the center in 2001. Photo by Emily Swanson\n<\/p>\n

After the program, Harris told the Bronx Times that $320,000 was cut from RYC\u2019s center-based program and $468,000 from the school-based program. He also said he sent an appeal letter to DYCD a month ago and has received no response.<\/p>\n

Harris, as president and CEO, earns a salary of $250,570, according to the most recent tax filings. But when it comes to the programs he oversees, he said he\u2019s often left scrapping for funds, even after 25 years and a track record he feels is proven to the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve grown weary, he said. \u201cI would think we\u2019re past that at this point.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

The proposed cuts would probably not require RYC to entirely shut down, Harris said. But today, as hundreds of families and staff members depend on him to maintain current services and even add more, he said he\u2019s emotionally exhausted, yet keeping up the fight. \u201cWe should be growing, not diminishing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

This story was updated at 12:21 p.m. to include statement from DYCD.\n<\/p>\n

Reach Emily Swanson at\u00a0eswanson@schnepsmedia.com<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0(646) 717-0015<\/a>. For more coverage, subscribe to our\u00a0newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\n