Roosevelt Island Interim Youth Center Re-Opens As After School Drop In Center Yesterday For Children In Grades 2-8 - Will Be Open Next Week For Older Kids During Evening Hours Says RIOC

The Roosevelt Island Youth Center re-opened yesterday

under the supervision of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC). According to RIOC Public Information Officer Alonza Robertson:

Students were welcomed back to the Roosevelt Island Youth Center Monday as it officially reopened as an after-school drop-in center under the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation’s (RIOC) supervision.

Children in grades 2 – 8 were back in the 506 Main Street building playing ping pong, games and shooting pool. Director Roy Magsisi supervised a staff of five counselors, all now employees of RIOC.

RIOC President Susan Rosenthal hosted a second parents meeting Monday, following an earlier meeting on Sunday afternoon, to explain the new operation and answer additional questions from the community.

“I am happy to announce that five of the six former RIYP employees have agreed today to come work with us in the same capacity,” Rosenthal said. “I think it will serve the children well in having a smooth transition to have an air of familiarity with the those who’ll be working there.”

Besides collecting emergency contact information and signed permission forms for students, RIOC officials are busy Monday restocking healthy snacks and program supplies.

As previously announced, the drop-in center will be open from Monday to Friday from 2:45 p.m. – 6 p.m. In responding to parents’ concerns about activities for 13-year-olds to 21-year-old, Rosenthal said starting next Monday March 12, the center will remain open weekday evenings from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. for the older students and plans were in the works to resume SAT preparatory, music programs and Saturday evening activities.

Both the afternoon and evening programs will run through the end of the school year June 26.

The RIOC Youth Center will not offer a summer camp Rosenthal said, “but I would like to have a meeting between concerned parents and the leaders of the Beacon program to discuss summer and sports programs, two things that have traditionally been produced by the Beacon program,” she said.

Here's full video of last Sunday's meeting with with RIOC staff

and Roosevelt Island parents

regarding the new, interim Youth Center.