Beacon Programs

Enrichment | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD)

All New Yorkers regardless of legal statusEveryoneCaregiverGrade-SchoolerPre-TeenTeenYoung Adult

Beacon Programs are school-based community centers for children, youth, and adults across the City. They are a safe place for fun activities, discovering new interests, learning new skills, and finding opportunities to contribute to the community.

Heads Up

Programs operate year-round during non-school hours on weekdays, weekends, and in the summer.
  • Programs are hosted in New York City public schools, but some programs are open to the whole community.
  • Beacon offers activities and services for school-age youth, families, and adults, including seniors.
  • Beacon makes special efforts to engage hard-to-recruit youth and young adults. Program areas include:
  • Academics: Including tutoring, homework help, reading clubs, and financial literacy.
  • Life Skills: Activities designed to increase personal responsibility, self-esteem, and confidence.
  • Career and School to Work Transition: Including career exploration workshops, work readiness opportunities, and help transitioning between school programs.
  • Community Building: Activities designed to strengthen leadership skills, community awareness, and civic responsibility.
  • Recreation, Health, and Fitness: Activities designed to promote healthy lifestyles such as cooking programs and organized sports.
  • Culture and Art: Including music, dance, photography, and drama.

    • Eligibility

  • Youth ages 5-21 who are enrolled in school can participate.
  • Beacon also offers (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dycd/services/after-school/beacon-adult-programs.page) adult programs for people who are over 21 years old.

    Required Documents

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    How to Apply

  • Enrollment is ongoing.
  • Apply online at Discover DYCD (https://discoverdycd.dycdconnect.nyc/home) . You can apply to multiple programs with one application. 
  • Apply in-person at a Beacon community center. To find a center in your area:
  • Go to the Discover DYCD (https://discoverdycd.dycdconnect.nyc/programme-public) website.
  • Type "Beacon" into the "Program Search" box.
  • Enter your zip code, neighborhood, or borough, and click "Search"

    Online

    You can use Discover DYCD to find programs in your area. To get started:

  • Go to the Discover DYCD (https://discoverdycd.dycdconnect.nyc/programme-public) website.
  • Type "Beacon" into the "Program Search" box.
  • Find programs in your area by entering your zip code, neighborhood, or borough, and clicking "Search"Select a program and apply with them directly. Enrollment is ongoing.

    Apply online today

    By Mail

    Get Help

  • Call DYCD Community Connect at 800-246-4646 (http://www1.nyc.gov/site/dycd/services/after-school/beacon-youth-programs.page) or 646-343-6800 to find out how to participate.
  • Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 9 am. – 5 pm.
  • Visit the Beacon program website for more information.

    • Beacon Programs

    Enrichment | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD)

    All New Yorkers regardless of legal statusEveryoneCaregiverGrade-SchoolerPre-TeenTeenYoung Adult

    Beacon Programs are school-based community centers for children, youth, and adults across the City. They are a safe place for fun activities, discovering new interests, learning new skills, and finding opportunities to contribute to the community.

    Heads Up

    Programs operate year-round during non-school hours on weekdays, weekends, and in the summer.
  • Programs are hosted in New York City public schools, but some programs are open to the whole community.
  • Beacon offers activities and services for school-age youth, families, and adults, including seniors.
  • Beacon makes special efforts to engage hard-to-recruit youth and young adults. Program areas include:
  • Academics: Including tutoring, homework help, reading clubs, and financial literacy.
  • Life Skills: Activities designed to increase personal responsibility, self-esteem, and confidence.
  • Career and School to Work Transition: Including career exploration workshops, work readiness opportunities, and help transitioning between school programs.
  • Community Building: Activities designed to strengthen leadership skills, community awareness, and civic responsibility.
  • Recreation, Health, and Fitness: Activities designed to promote healthy lifestyles such as cooking programs and organized sports.
  • Culture and Art: Including music, dance, photography, and drama.

    • Eligibility

  • Youth ages 5-21 who are enrolled in school can participate.
  • Beacon also offers (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dycd/services/after-school/beacon-adult-programs.page) adult programs for people who are over 21 years old.

    Required Documents

    NULL

    How to Apply

  • Enrollment is ongoing.
  • Apply online at Discover DYCD (https://discoverdycd.dycdconnect.nyc/home) . You can apply to multiple programs with one application. 
  • Apply in-person at a Beacon community center. To find a center in your area:
  • Go to the Discover DYCD (https://discoverdycd.dycdconnect.nyc/programme-public) website.
  • Type "Beacon" into the "Program Search" box.
  • Enter your zip code, neighborhood, or borough, and click "Search"

    Online

    You can use Discover DYCD to find programs in your area. To get started:

  • Go to the Discover DYCD (https://discoverdycd.dycdconnect.nyc/programme-public) website.
  • Type "Beacon" into the "Program Search" box.
  • Find programs in your area by entering your zip code, neighborhood, or borough, and clicking "Search"Select a program and apply with them directly. Enrollment is ongoing.

    Apply online today

    By Mail

    Get Help

  • Call DYCD Community Connect at 800-246-4646 (http://www1.nyc.gov/site/dycd/services/after-school/beacon-youth-programs.page) or 646-343-6800 to find out how to participate.
  • Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 9 am. – 5 pm.
  • Visit the Beacon program website for more information.

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