Management Upheaval At Roosevelt Island Youth Center Continues - RIOC Removes Newly Hired, Well Liked And Respected Director Today

After a bitter and contentious community battle to remove the Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) and it's Executive Director Charlie Defino as the long time operator of the Roosevelt Island Youth Center, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) initiated an interim after school drop in program for children in grades 2-8 beginning March 5. On March 17, RIOC added an evening program for youth ages 13-21.

RIOC hired the well liked and respected former RIYP Director Roy Magsisi

 Roy Magisi (center) With RI Youth Center Kids at RIYP March 2 Last Day Farewell

to manage it's interim Youth Center.

Today, RIOC Director Of Operations Shelton Haynes informed Mr. Magsisi

that he was being fired effective immediately. At least one other former RIYP employee who RIOC hired for the Interim Youth Center was also fired. According to Mr. Magsisi, no reason was given by RIOC for his firing other than:

We are moving in a different direction.

After learning of his dismissal, Mr Magsisi sent this email to the families who rely upon the Roosevelt Island Youth Center:

I regret to inform you all that I have been terminated from my position at the Youth Center with RIOC, effective immediately.

It has been a remarkable and humbling experience serving the youth community of Roosevelt Island. I have seen many of them grow (so quickly!) in the past 5 years. Meanwhile, I have had the pleasure of meeting so many of your younger children. The children, YOUR children give me so much hope for the future of the community, the Island and our society.

Unfortunately, the Piano classes and SAT Prep classes are suspended indefinitely.

I feel so terribly disappointed - in myself. I've let you all down. For that, I am so sorry and I will regret not doing or fighting enough.

During a March 4 community meeting, Mr Magsisi expressed his plans for the interim center including continuing the RIYP practice of keeping children in the Youth Center in the event parents are late in picking them up after 6 PM.



RIOC had no comment today regarding the reason for firing Mr. Magsisi. However, RIOC Public Information Officer Alonza Robertson reported:

...Erica Spencer-El, a long-time RIOC community relations manager has been promoted to Director of Community Affairs and the youth center will be one of her new management assignments, in addition to oversight of Community Relations and Island-wide events. More details on additional staff and programming additions, the scheduled renovation of the center and RIOC’s efforts to create a youth soccer program will be forthcoming.

Below are the new RIOC rules and regulations for the Roosevelt Island Youth Center:

The following guidelines and rules have been developed in an effort to help all of us achieve our objective of operating a safe, supervised, and drug/alcohol-free facility for the enjoyment and benefit of all Youth Center patrons and staff of the Roosevelt Island Youth Center.

All participants of the Roosevelt Island Youth Center agree to that the following rules apply to all and that disobeying them may result in a ban from the Youth Center program.

1. Most important: Join in, have fun, and let others have fun too.

2. All participants must sign in at the start of every session.

3. Generally, all participants must sign out at the conclusion of a session. In the event a participant does leave a session early, the participant must sign out, and leave the premises. Participants in the fifth grade or higher may sign out on their own; participants in grades below the fifth grade must be signed out by an authorized person listed on the participant’s Youth Center Contact Information Form.

4. RESPECT EVERYONE: members, staff, and visitors.

5. No bullying, fighting, swearing or theft.

6. No excessive rowdiness or other inappropriate behavior.

7. No discrimination: participants are to treat everyone fairly.

8. No alcohol, drugs, or smoking anywhere inside or around the immediate areas of the Youth Center– NO EXCEPTIONS! Anyone suspected by our adult staff to be under the influence of drugs, in possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia, or having used drugs, alcohol or any controlled substance, of possessing a weapon, will result in their parents being contacted.

9. Anyone found to be in possession of drugs, alcohol or any controlled substance, including drug paraphernalia or any weapon, while inside the Youth Center or its surrounding areas, will be immediately reported to the Public Safety Department, parents will be called, and the participant will be prohibited from using the Youth Center.

10. No littering: Participants are expected to use all bins, trashcans, and exercise a reasonable effort to keep the Youth Center looking tidy, neat and clean.

11. No running inside the Youth Center facility.

12. No playing of dangerous games.

13. Health and safety rules apply at all times.

14. No damage, vandalism or graffiti of any kind to personal or public property.

15. Keep computer use clean and safe (If you don’t know, ASK!)

16. No food or drink is allowed on the 2nd Floor.

17. If you have an allergy, you must inform Youth Center Staff and also include such information on the Youth Center Contact Information Form.

18. Absolutely no products that contain nuts, or nut bi-products, will be allowed on the premises.

ANY VIOLATION OF THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION FROM THE YOUTH CENTER PROGRAM. IN ADDITION THE PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT MAY BE CALLED TO DEAL WITH ANY ACTUAL OR SUSPECTED ILLEGAL ACTIVITY.

Stay tuned for more.

UPDATE 4/11 - RIOC Public Information Officer Alonza Robertson adds:

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) has scheduled an informational meeting for parents of the Island’s Youth Center participants this Saturday, April 14 at 5 p.m. to allow senior leaders to discuss and answer questions about recent staff and policy changes.

On Tuesday, RIOC promoted Erica Spencer-EL as its new Director of Community Affairs and made the center’s management her priority directive. Steven Ayala, Johanne Enama and Abhipsha “Abby” Mainali all joined RIOC as interim staff members in the past month and will continue to help run the Center’s operations.

Roy Magsisi, the Center’s previous director is no longer affiliated with RIOC and the Youth Center as of Tuesday, April 10. As a result, the piano and homework assistance classes, previously taught by Magsisi, are suspended temporarily. “We would like to thank Roy for his work in helping keep the Center open for our young people,” said RIOC Chief Operating Officer Shelton Haynes.

A detailed set of facility rules and policies has been recently released also. “Our objective is and remains, since assuming management of the Center’s operations March 5, is to develop the Center, and its structured programming, into something that parents, students and staff could all enjoy,” Haynes said.

At the parents meeting, to be held at the 506 Main St. facility, Haynes and Spencer-EL will discuss the recent personnel and policy moves, the creation of a Parents Advisory Committee, center hours (currently weekdays from 2:45 p.m. – 6 p.m. for students in grades 2 – 8; and 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. for youth ages 13 – 21), its planned renovation schedule and future programming, including an eight-week youth soccer skills workshop and tournament.

Change Is Difficult Says RIOC President Susan Rosenthal - Reports On Re-Opened Youth Center, Farmers Market, Helix & Bike Ramp, Tram Station Elevators Construction, Welcome Sign, Wayfinding Signage & More

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal reports to the community:

Change is difficult! The first residents of the WIRE buildings have survived less open spaces, more building developments with thousands of new residents, Four Freedoms Park and the Cornell Tech campus.

Following these changes, over the course of a few years, a clash over the future of the youth center has erupted into an open, sensitive and disturbing divide in our community. It is downright depressing.

I believe this current situation not only poses a serious challenge but also a tremendous opportunity. Do we want to define ourselves by angry words or shall we take a moment, think and strive to have conversations that lead us toward something for the entire island community that’s constructive, cooperative and collaborative?

For the record, the recent legal inquiry and report about allegations made against the former head of the RIYP had nothing to do with the quality of services our youth received during its tenure. I, and the board members of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, openly acknowledge the praise and testimonials many adults and young people gave at our January and March meetings. However, the RIOC board’s decision to withdraw the grant award was a difficult one that reasonable folks could differ over.

And when RIYP shut down its operations last Friday, RIOC acted fast in making the decision that we would not leave our parents and students without a program.

As you are probably aware by now, RIOC reopened the youth center, under our supervision, last Monday as a free afterschool childcare center for students in grades 2 – 8; open five days a week from 2:45 p.m. – 6 p.m. Starting Monday, March 12, the center will offer extended hours from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. for youth ages 13 – 21. The center will remain open through June 26, the last day of the current school year. RIOC is exploring what will happen after that. We will not leave you high and dry.

The previously-planned renovation of the entire building will also start in the next few months, and be completed in phases to not disrupt ongoing activities at the center.

We’ve held two parent meetings, sent out group emails and advisories and held numerous other informal meetings to gather your input on programs and services that are most desired – including weekend evenings for teens, music instruction classes, SAT prep and homework assistance – and getting those re-established as quickly as possible. (Please contact Roy Magsisi, our new youth center director, at roy.magsisi@rioc.ny.gov if you have additional questions about our current operations).

Many of you also have asked us about the status of youth sports programs and summer camps. Both were offered by the former RIYP, when it operated both the center and the Beacon program headquartered at PS/IS 217.

Beacon programs are free school-based community centers – supervised by the City of New York Department of Youth & Community Service serving children age six and older, and adults. There are currently 91 Beacons located throughout the five boroughs of New York City operating in the afternoons and evenings, on weekends, and during school holidays and vacation periods, including the summer. The Roosevelt Island Beacon program, under new leadership since September 2017, needs our input on the kinds of programs including sports, we would like to see here on the island.

I invite you to join me in planned discussions (dates and times to be announced soon) with Beacon leadership to address these and any lingering issues involving inclusion, past assumptions and future opportunities we should be pursuing to help all our island youth and young adults develop and get ahead.

Feel free to email me at susan.rosenthal@rioc.ny.gov to offer your thoughts, ideas or to join me in future discussions about how we might participate together for the enhancement and healing of our community.

OTHER UPDATES

The Helix and Bike Ramp

The first phase of construction of Helix Ramp repairs is a demolition.

On Monday March 12, the contractor will start the demolition of the outer lane. Signs and traffic lights have been installed earlier this week to help manage traffic slow. Please note all over-size delivery vehicles, and their business destinations, must coordinate with the Public Service Department at 212.832.4545 at least 48 hours prior to delivery date.

As we previously noted the Saturday Farmer’s Market, relocated to Good Shepherd Plaza from its previous home underneath the Helix, has been warmly received by residents and visitors alike. We are considering making the relocation permanent.

The Request for Proposals to construct a bike ramp, off the Roosevelt Island Bridge, and lane will be issued this month and we hope to begin construction on that project by the summer.

Manhattan Tram Station

The Manhattan Tram Plaza, the official gateway to the island from Midtown, is getting a major facelift by way of a new glass elevator project set to begin this month also. The renderings of the project show an enhanced, sleek platform and a ritzy glass-walled elevator powered by electric motors that drive traction cables and counterweight systems.

Seawall Railings

The rustic seawall railings that encircle the island and serve as the official buffer between our land and the East River are all scheduled to be replaced and repaired this year as well. The concrete spall repairs, where the concrete has broken up, flaked, or become pitted due to constant freezing and thawing - have already begun on the island’s west side.

RI Welcome Sign and Wayfinding Signage

The RIOC Board’s Real Estate Committee voted February 27 to move forward on the RI welcome sign’s fabrication. The big red letters – which I’m sure many of you have seen or heard about - are set to be displayed near Tram Plaza for a three-month trial period to allow a lengthier time to gauge public comment. I have a $1 bet with Judy Berdy, operator of the Roosevelt Island Visitors Center and president of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS), that the welcome sign will increase foot traffic to the center and result in more business and revenue for RIHS. When I collect on the bet, I’ll share with you how many more dollars she’s made due to influx of more customers.

In addition to the welcome sign, the much-needed and often-asked for wayfinding signs and kiosks - which will offer visitors additional information and directions to island businesses and landmarks beyond the Tram - are set to be installed in August.

Rebuilding is important

Development, decline, revitalization and redevelopment. That is the story of how Roosevelt Island was, and how it sits now in its history. Rebuilding our infrastructure: roads, ramps, bridges, railings, elevators and seawalls is critical; something I hope you also deem as important. But most important, is the rebuilding of our personal relationships.

We know that Roosevelt Island is a special place for a host of reasons. We can rekindle that original sense of unity, which Roosevelt Islanders describe with pride. It CAN be done, only when we band together.

RIOC Answers Questions From Parents About Roosevelt Island Interim Youth Center Drop In Program For Children Grades 2-8 Thru End Of School Year- No Program For Older Kids

As reported last Friday:

Less than 24 hours after rejecting the Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) as operator of the Youth Center, RIOC announced late this afternoon that it will operate an interim after school drop in program for children in grades 2-8...

and:

... The drop-in program will be open Monday through Friday and provide afterschool care from 2:45 p.m. - 6 p.m. and serve children in grades 2 – 8.

The program will be managed by former RIYP Director Roy Magsisi...

This afternoon, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal, General Counsel Jaci Flug, Mr. Magsisi and Public Safety Deputy Director Kevin Butler

spoke to concerned and some upset parents

at the Youth Center building about the new interim program.

Here' video of the meeting.

Part 1 - Ms Rosenthal reported that the interim program will be in place until the end of the school year. At present, RIOC does not know what will be done after the school year but Ms. Rosenthal is eager to speak with any parent who has ideas on how to proceed. Ms Rosenthal added that parents need to sign consent forms to have their children be picked up at PS/IS 217 and brought to the Youth Center.



Part 2 - Mr Magsisi describes how children will be picked up from school and escorted to youth center. Deputy Director Butler reports that PSD Sergeant Jeff Laszczych will be on staff during the Youth Center drop off hours.



Part 3 - Questions from the parents included what do teens older than 8th graders do who are no longer allowed in the Youth Center. No programs are currently being offered to these older kids.



Part 4 - How will information be posted about Youth Center, who will be allowed inside building, what happens to RIYP data. will homework assistance be provided, answer is no.



Will post more video tomorrow.

UPDATE 3/5

Part 5 - What are we going to do with the older kids, Soccer Program, Little League etc.

In response to question from parent asking how we got to this situation, Ms. Rosenthal responded she did not want to look back but work to go forward.



Part 6 - The past is what brought us here says another parent.

According to RIOC General Counsel Jaci Flug, RIYP informed RIOC on Friday, March 2 that they were shutting down the program the same day and not fulfilling remaining term of contract to the end of March.



Part 7 - Ms Flug added that RIYP Treasurer Steve Kaufman made "some threat or allegation" to close on Thursday and on Friday confirmed it.

RIOC will not release full investigation report because of privacy concerns and attorney work product. Ms Rosenthal said the Executive Summary tells the whole story but not the details.

Ms Rosenthal said they offered the entire former RIYP staff jobs with the new RIOC interim center. Ms Flug added that the former RIYP staff were all offered jobs "at the same salary or higher as part time RIOC employees and they all said no with the exception of Roy."

Parents expressed unhappiness with the new Beacon After School operator.



Part 8 - Will RIOC Interim Youth Center hire kids from Roosevelt Island.

Parents say there is a "disconnect" between parents who need the Youth Center and RIOC staff who don't understand the history and dynamics of Roosevelt Island.



Part 9 - A parent asked if RIOC Board Director Fay Christian's relationship with PS/IS 217 was a conflict of interest that required her not to vote on the RIYP Youth Center operator contract. Ms Flug said there was no conflict because PS/IS 217 has nothing to do with RIOC and the Youth Center.

Ms Rosenthal talks more about Youth Center investigation and reason for not approving RIYP as Youth Center operator.



Finally, Part 10 - RIOC still figuring out how the Interim Youth Center will work.



No matter how much RIOC wants this issue to go away and move forward, there will be more to come.