Mayor To Honor Peekskill Schools My Brother's Keeper Challenge

PEEKSKILL, NY — The Peekskill city mayor will be presenting a proclamation noting the city and school district's acceptance of the National/NYS My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Community Challenge. The presentation will take place Saturday, Dec. 8.

This event combines two of Peekskill’s largest initiatives for the 2018-2019 school year: PCSD’s Saturday Academy and the MBK program, both of which were made possible by the receipt of the district’s Parent, Family and Community Engagement grant.

Former President Obama began the MBK initiative in February 2014 to address persistent opportunity gaps confronted by young men of color in order to make sure that all young men reached their full potential. This initiative seeks to establish a commitment from the community leaders to assist in reaching that goal.

To date, Peekskill City School District has identified more than 50 student mentees at the middle and high school levels. These young men have been paired with mentors that span from district employees to community partners and business owners, according to a spokesperson.

Recently, the district's MBK participants were highlighted for their participation in the historic Lower Hudson Valley MBK Youth Leadership Summit that took place at the White Plains County Center Oct. 25. (You can read more about the Peekskill MBK program here. Watch Peekskill’s MBK video here.)

The Saturday Academy program, which targets Peekskill students in grades Pre-K – 8 and their families, kicked off Nov. 3 at Peekskill Middle School and saw over 300 attendees at the first event. The District will hold a total of 6 more Academies throughout the 2018-2019 school year. Dec. 8 will be the Academy’s third session, and like previous events the day will feature information from multiple community vendors, wellness workshops such as yoga, crafts and activities for children and more. All Academies begin with a free warm brunch and each session thus far has hosted giveaways to target community needs, from winter coats to Thanksgiving dinner baskets. On Dec. 8, Santa will be joining the fun with free toys for children, including over 100 new children’s books donated by the Peekskill Police Department. We are also excited to welcome back the Two by Two petting Zoo for the day, among many other special guests.

The public is invited to come to the presentation Saturday at Peekskill Middle School, 212 Ringgold St. in Peekskill.

Agenda:

• 9:00 a.m. – Peekskill Middle School mentee/mentor breakfast (not open to the public)
• 9:30 a.m. – Mayor Rainey presents Proclamation to Superintendent Dr. David Mauricio (open to the public)
• 10:00 a.m. – Saturday Academy session begins with free warm brunch for guests, activities, giveaways, etc. (open to the public)

December 8 Saturday Academy Partners:

• Arts 10566
• Boy Scouts of America
• Empower YOU
• Families Talk Together /HRHCare
• HRC Care - Comite Latino
• Fidelis Care
• Peekskill Field Library
• Hudson Valley MOCA
• Be First Boxing
• MVP Healthcare
• New Era Creative Space
• Peekskill Basics
• Peekskill Hispanic Community Corp
• Peekskill NAACP "Black Diamonds"
• Peekskill NAACP - “The Road to LeadHERShip”
• Peekskill Parent Resource Center Satellite
• Peekskill Youth Bureau
• Peekskill Youth Soccer Club
• Peekskill My Brother’s Keeper (MBK)
• Spellbinders
• Inner Being Yoga for Growing Minds
• Two by Two Petting Zoo
• United Health Care Community Plan
• United Way of Westchester
• Xposure Foundations

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Photo credit: Google Maps.