The New York Yankees are providing deserving local youth with the opportunity of a lifetime.
The Yankees, who are collaborating with the Bronx’s 12 community boards, are currently taking applications for nominations of the annual New York Yankees Community Council Youth Leadership Awards, a process that honors five youth community leaders residing in each community board area.
This process, which has been an annual Yankee and community board tradition since 2000, analyzes qualified teenagers and young adults from the Bronx who actively volunteer in their community on a regular basis.
At the end of the process, five deserving individuals from each board (60 in total) will be a recipient of a youth leadership award.
Receiving this award is no small achievement.
Following the nominations, each recipient of this award will receive a $750 stipend allocated by the Yankees, in which each individual can use the money towards school supplies or however else they choose to spend it.
In addition, the Youth Leaders from each board will be recognized on-field during a pre-game ceremony at Yankee Stadium in 2016 on their respective Bronx Community Board’s Day.
They also receive a framed certificate at a future community board meeting.
“This is so exciting for the board as well as the nominees who devote so much of their time to assist the community in many ways,” said Ivine Galarza, CB6’s district manager. “The Yankees are winners on all levels, and it’s very exciting that they involve themselves with our community’s youth during such an important process.”
Nominees of this award are expected to perform at least 50 hours of community, leadership or volunteer services as a tutor, mentor, community unity developer and/or as an advocate against violence and substance abuse in their respective communities.
The nomination process involves each community board’s chairperson approving a nominee’s completed application and resume before submitting it to the New York Yankees Community Council for consideration.
Each board’s Education & Youth Committee is also involved in the nomination process.
Community boards request that all applications be submitted by Tuesday, November 10.
“The youth within our community board and youth as a whole (in the Bronx) are the leaders of the future, and I am so proud that there are so many young members taking part in community based services that have helped so many,” said Adaline Walker-Santiago, CB7’s chairwoman.
“This nomination process keeps these youth leaders highly inspired and motivated to continue their services in their community, and I acknowledge their teachers, parents and guidance counselors for paving a positive path for them. This is truly an amazing experience.”
She also added that previous youth nominees from her board have volunteered at the nearby Tracey Towers and Moshulu Montefiore Community Center.
“It’s good that the Yankees are giving back to the community,” said John Fratta, CB11’s administrative manager and former DM. “It’s important to recognize the youth in our area that are not only successful in school but also devote their own time to community services.”
“We have a great group of kids involved each year and it’s very exciting to see them become even more motivated during this process,” said Linda White, CB11 member and co-chair of the board’s Youth & Education Committee.
