School Aged After School Programs

Ditmas Educational Enrichment Program (DEEP) is funded through the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development’s Out of School Time initiative. FDC serves 160 six through eighth grade students from Ditmas Junior High School. Program activities include: Tutoring/Homework Help; Multimedia and Computer Based Projects, Youth Leadership Workshops, Arts-Based Learning and Enrichment, and Recreation.

FDC/PS 217 Parent Association After School Program is a collaborative effort between PS 217 and FDC to provide after-school activities to children in kindergarten through fifth grade. The after school program provides working parents with an affordable option for after school programming and wraparound care for other school sponsored after school activities. Program activities include: Homework Help; Karate; Game Room, Open Gym/Sports; Gardening, and Arts Enrichment.

High School / Older Youth Programs

FDC Youth Center is an early evening center that serves 120 high school age teens. Funded through Department of Youth and Community Development, the Alumni Skills & Drills program provides a safe, indoor, supervised youth leadership and recreation program. Participants attend workshops that help them to succeed and overcome issues they face, such as youth and gang violence, teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse.

Youth Leadership Council
FDC’s Youth Leadership Council works collectively to empower themselves and their community by engaging in community service projects and career and college entry trainings. Recent activities include creating a mural on Marlborough Rd and East 16th street, assisting with a Blood Drive, conducting a youth survey throughout the neighborhood, and Brooklyn College tour. The Youth Leadership Council meets at the FDC evening center at PS 217.

GED/Job Readiness
FDC has partnered with the NYC Department of Education Offsite Educational Services to provide GED classes to out-of-school youth ages 16-21. Classes run from 4 pm to 7 pm at Ditmas Junior High School.

Career and College Exploration Program (CCEP)
CCEP is based at Erasmus High School for Service and Learning. CCEP provides workshops and individual counseling for students to: develop academic, personal and workplace skills; explore individual interests; and gain exposure to post-secondary education and career options. Youth enrolled in the program are linked to the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), area internships, and job placements in targeted industries. FDC provides on-going social services and follow-up support for all CCEP participants and their families.

Youth Outreach

Street Outreach
FDC ‘s Peer Street Outreach Workers interact with youth who are hanging out in parks, playgrounds and on street corners and refer them to FDC’s youth programs and other community based service providers. Youth identified through FDC’s Street Outreach program are encouraged to attend the evening center at P.S. 217.

Immigrant Youth/Family Literacy