NEW YORK, NY— Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a new citywide initiative launching an interactive website called “Summer in NYC,” designed to connect children and teenagers with free and low-cost summer programs aimed at reducing youth violence.
City officials said the platform will allow families to search opportunities by age, ZIP code, interests, and travel distance.
Options include sports leagues, photography and painting classes, summer jobs, mental health resources, free meals, and public events such as watch parties tied to the FIFA World Cup.
“Too often, we tell young people what not to do – but don't tell them what they should do,” Mamdani said in a statement. “With summer fast approaching, we are using every tool available to keep young New Yorkers safe, listened to rather than lectured at, and surrounded by community.”
The Office of Neighborhood Safety partnered with community-based gun violence prevention and intervention organizations to develop the program.
Officials said the initiative comes as the city continues efforts to prevent a seasonal rise in violence.
Police officials said New York City is currently trending downward in shootings and murders, but historically sees increases in gun violence during the summer months.
The administration pointed to increased outdoor activity and unsupervised youth as contributing factors in past seasonal spikes.
The announcement followed a conversation between the Mayor’s office and members of True 2 Life, a Staten Island-based group within the city’s Crisis Management System, which works with individuals impacted by gun violence.
The City will also expand law enforcement presence during the summer months. The New York City Police Department said it will deploy an additional 2,600 officers during late-night and early-morning hours as part of its seasonal public safety plan.
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