Staten Island Urban Center is proud to announce the Grand Opening of our brand-new storefront location at 206 Bay Street—and we’re inviting the entire community to celebrate with us!
📅 When: Saturday, December 6, 2025
⏰ Time: 12PM – 4PM
📍 Where: 206 Bay Street, Staten Island, NY 10301
This new space represents a major step forward in our mission to uplift youth voices, strengthen community leadership, and expand our presence in the neighborhoods we serve. The storefront will serve as a home for youth programming, creative media projects, community gatherings, environmental and social justice work, and new initiatives shaped in partnership with Staten Island residents.
To make the day even more special, Padro’s Kitchen will be catering the event, bringing amazing local flavor to our celebration.
Guests will have the chance to:

• Explore our new storefront
  
• Meet SIUC youth, staff, and community partners
  
• Learn about upcoming programs and opportunities
  
• Enjoy delicious food from Padro’s Kitchen
  
• Celebrate with music, activities, and a welcoming community atmosphere
  

We’re incredibly grateful for the support that has brought us to this moment, and we look forward to sharing this milestone with all of you.
Mark your calendars and help us spread the word—real community grows here.
We can’t wait to celebrate together on December 6th!

Community Conversation on Solar District Lighting

Staten Island Urban Center, in partnership with NYC Small Business Services, invites you to a community conversation on the design and installation of Commercial Solar District Lighting in Tompkinsville.
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📅 Thursday, October 9, 2025
🕠 5:30–7:30 PM
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📍 Staten Island Urban Center, 206 Bay Street (Ground Floor)
RSVP: [email protected] or scan the QR code.

🌟 Divine Women in Concert: The Butterflies & Cardinals Show​
📅 Saturday, October 4th, 2025
🕡 Doors Open: 6:30 PM | 🎶 Show Starts: 8:00 PM
📍 St. George Theatre, Staten Island
Join us for a transformative evening filled with music, art, and female empowerment! 🎤✨ Enjoy performances by incredible artists, musicians, and creators while celebrating beauty, hope, and remembrance. Proceeds and donations will benefit the Tackling Youth Substance Abuse Program (TYSA).
👉 Don’t miss out—invite your friends, spread the word, and be part of this unforgettable night!

🌿✨ Urban Roots & Culture at Tompkinsville Park ✨🌿
We’re closing out the summer and the season’s final Tompkinsville Afro Caribbean & Latin Food & Spice Market – International Edition! 🎉
📅 Saturday, August 16th | 🕛 12–4 PM
📍 Tompkinsville Park, 45 Victory Blvd, Staten Island
Join us for an unforgettable day of live performances, international flavors, and vibrant community energy. Enjoy delicious food, unique vendors, music, art, and activities for all ages. 🍲🎶💃
FREE & open to everyone — all are welcome! Bring your friends, family, and neighbors, and let’s send off the summer and our market season in style. 🌞
✨ Don’t miss it — this is your last chance until next year!

📚 Celebrating Art, Climate Justice, and Youth Voices at the Staten Island Museum
Join us for a morning of creativity, community, and inspiration at the Positivity Portals: An Altered Book Project Celebration on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor Cultural Center.
Positivity Portals is a multidisciplinary community art project focusing on climate justice, with a special emphasis on celebrating local successes. Created and facilitated by Caryn T. Davis, this project showcases the work of young people from the Staten Island Urban Center, a youth development program dedicated to empowering the North Shore community.
At this special celebration, guests will have the opportunity to:

• View imaginative altered books created by local youth, transforming old pages into vibrant works of art.
  
• Learn about the connection between art and environmental action, and how storytelling can inspire climate justice.
  
• Meet the artists and community members who brought this powerful project to life.
  

This event is a testament to the creativity, resilience, and vision of Staten Island’s youth — and to the power of art in sparking conversations about the future of our planet.
📍 Location: Staten Island Museum, Building A, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY
🗓 Date & Time: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Come be inspired by the art, the message, and the community spirit behind Positivity Portals. Admission is free, and all are welcome.

🎉 Celebrate Culture, Community, and Education at the HBCU Family Day in Tompkinsville Park!
Staten Island is coming alive this summer with a celebration you won’t want to miss! On Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 12 PM to 4 PM, the Tompkinsville Afro-Caribbean and Latin Food & Spice Market and HBCU Experience Staten Island are teaming up to present HBCU Family Day — a vibrant gathering dedicated to honoring the legacy of Historically Black Colleges & Universities while bringing our community together through food, music, art, and connection.
This exciting event will transform Tompkinsville Park into a lively hub filled with delicious flavors, inspiring performances, and valuable educational resources. Expect to enjoy:

• Live performances by Maya da Poet, DJ XCEL, and dynamic drumming with Imam Zul.
  
• Delicious eats from Jah American BBQ, Padro’s Kitchen, Sofrito Papi, Ms. Rodriguez’ Pasteles, Sandela Coffee, Otha & Dink-Fish & Brisket, and Food of Palestine: Oils, Olives & Offerings.
  
• Family-friendly activities like arts & crafts, book readings, and cultural showcases.
  
• Educational opportunities, including meeting current and recent HBCU graduates, college admission information, resume writing assistance, and essay help.
  
• Plus, giveaways and more!
  

HBCUs have a rich history of shaping leaders, innovators, and changemakers, and this event is all about celebrating that legacy while inspiring the next generation. Whether you’re an alum, a student considering an HBCU, or a community member who loves good vibes and great food, this is your chance to connect, learn, and celebrate together.
📍 Location: Tompkinsville Park, Staten Island, NY
🗓 Date & Time: Saturday, August 9, 2025 • 12 PM – 4 PM
This event is made possible thanks to the support of community partners including CityParks, Partnerships for Parks, Rotary Club of Staten Island, House of Community, Staten Island Urban Center, Friends of Tompkinsville Park, and Trinity Church Wall Street.
Bring your family, bring your friends, and come hungry for culture, education, and community spirit. We’ll see you at the park!

The Jazz Set: An Evening of Music & Impact for Staten Island Urban Center

Experience an unforgettable night of jazz with Justin Wood & Friends on Sept 6—featuring live music, wine, and hors d'oeuvres—all in support of the Staten Island Urban Center. Your presence and donations uplift community-led programs in arts, youth empowerment, and social justice. Come celebrate, give back, and be part of the movement.

Tompkinsville Afro-Caribbean and Latin Food & Spice Market: Poetry, Beats, and Flavors!
📅 Saturday, August 2, 2025 | 🕛 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Tompkinsville Park, Staten Island, NY
Join us for an unforgettable Saturday at the Tompkinsville Afro-Caribbean and Latin Food & Spice Market — a vibrant celebration of culture, creativity, and community. This month, we’re bringing together local talent and culinary delights for a powerful day in the park.
Headlining this special edition of the market is Maya Da Poet, whose words inspire and uplift. She'll be joined by the soulful rhythms of DJ Nazz Raidience, setting the perfect vibe for a community gathering like no other.
Featured Vendors & Artists Include:

• Jah American
  
• Padro’s Kitchen
  
• Nice Ice Baby
  
• Sofrito Papi
  
• Ms. Rodriguez’ Pasteles
  
• Sandela Coffee
  
• Otha & Dink - Fish & Brisket
  
• Gemrose Art
  
• Food of Palestine Oil, Olive & Offerings
  …and more!
  

Whether you're looking to taste bold new flavors, support local artisans, or simply enjoy a soulful summer afternoon in Staten Island, this event is for YOU.
Free and open to the public. Bring your family, friends, and your appetite!
🧡 Presented in partnership with CityParks Foundation, Staten Island Urban Center, House of Community, Islamic Relief USA, Friends of Tompkinsville Park, and more.

Good evening all,
The next Friends of Tompkinsville Park meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 29th at 6:00 PM at the Build-A-Dream Incubator, 4 Minthorne Street.
Join us as we celebrate the re-opening of the Afro-Caribbean and Latin Food and Spice Market, along with welcoming our new and returning vendors! Refreshments will be provided by Sandela Cafe.
If you have items you’d like to see added to the agenda, feel free to email me.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Warmly,
Saul and Kelly
Email: [email protected]

🎭 Free Puppet Show in the Park: Pippi Longstocking!
Brought to Staten Island by CityParks PuppetMobile
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Join us for a magical day of fun, laughter, and imagination with a FREE performance of Pippi Longstocking — live in Tompkinsville Park! This marionette puppet show brings the beloved red-haired adventurer to life in a bold, musical twist on Astrid Lindgren’s classic story.
📅 Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM
📍 Location: Tompkinsville Park, 45 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10301
🎟️ Cost: FREE – open to all ages!
Presented by the CityParks PuppetMobile and hosted in partnership with Staten Island Urban Center, Friends of Tompkinsville Park, and local community partners.
🧒 Perfect for families, kids, and anyone who believes in doing things their own way — just like Pippi!

🔗 Click here to learn more

This event is presented in partnership with:
🟢 Staten Island Urban Center
🟢 City Parks Foundation
🟢 Friends of Tompkinsville Park
🟢 House of Community
🟢 Every Thing Goes Book Café
📸 Don’t forget to tag us in your photos and share your experience!

🍧 Nice Ice Baby – Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 12–3 PM | Tompkinsville ParkJoin us for a sweet summer Saturday at Tompkinsville Park!
We’re partnering with Nice Ice Baby to serve up free Italian ices, games, and outdoor fun. It’s the perfect way to cool down and connect with the community!
📍 Location: Tompkinsville Park - 45 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10301
📅 Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
This event is brought to you by Urban Roots: A Summer of Growing, with support from Partnerships for Parks and the Friends of Tompkinsville Park.
🎉 Free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Come get a taste of summer with us!

☕ Environmental Justice Coalition Meeting – Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | 6 PM | SI Urban CenterJoin the Staten Island Environmental Justice Coalition for our July community meeting and coffee hour!
This special evening includes Scandela Coffee, an organic brew sourced directly from a Panamanian farmer. We’ll share updates on:

• 🌊 North Shore Waterfront projects
• 📊 Budget & legislation updates
• 🎤 A talk with special guest Nadia Adam from the Staten Island Industrial Alliance

📍 Location: Staten Island Urban Center – 4 Minthorne Street, Staten Island, NY 10301
📅 Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2025
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
☕ Hosted at the Build A Dream Incubator
💌 RSVP: [email protected]
📞 Info: 917-681-6688
Follow us on IG: @ej_coalition_of_staten_island
Let’s work together for a greener, more just Staten Island!

🥎 Kidz Softball & Wiffle Ball Clinics – July & August 2025 | Staten Island Parks
Registration is now open for Urban Roots: Kidz Sports Clinics this summer!
We’re hosting Softball & Wiffle Ball teams and clinics for youth ages 6 to 12 throughout July and August. It’s all about learning the game, staying active, and having fun with friends!
📍 Location: Mahoney Park - 87 Crescent Ave, Staten Island, NY 10301
📅 Dates: July & August 2025
🎯 Ages: 6–12 years old
⚾ To register:
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Call/Text: 917-831-6688
📲 Or scan the QR code on the flyer
Brought to you by Urban Roots: A Summer of Growing, with support from the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development.

Hope you can join us! 💛
We’re excited to participate in New Brighton Beautification Day on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 12 PM – 5 PM!
This is a free community event for all ages with planter unveilings, giveaways (yes, free pizza 🍕), snacks, music, and a closing celebration at Snug Harbor.
🌱 Let’s come together to show love to our neighborhood and help keep New Brighton beautiful!
📍 Meet us at 12 PM at North Shore Esplanade, Richmond Terrace & Westervelt Avenue for the kickoff.
See the flyer above for full details—we’d love to see you there!

Hosted by the Staten Island Urban Center, the Urban Roots: A Summer of Growing program is now enrolling youth ages 6–12 for softball and wiffle ball clinics and teams throughout July and August.
This isn’t just about sports — it’s about building teamwork, boosting confidence, and offering young people a safe space to play and grow.
Interested families can register by scanning the QR code on the flyer, emailing [email protected], or calling 917-831-6688.
Whether your child is picking up a bat for the first time or looking to improve their skills, this community-based program is a perfect way to stay active and connected this summer.

As we brace for hotter days ahead, it’s crucial to stay informed about weather conditions and emergency updates. The Notify NYC app offers free real-time alerts on everything from heat advisories to public safety concerns.
To sign up:

• 📱 Download the app on Apple or Android
  
• 📲 Text NOTIFYNYC to 692-692
  
• ☎️ Call 311 for more help
  

These alerts are especially important during heatwaves when temperatures can spike unexpectedly. Brought to you by PREPSI (People Resilient, Educated & Prepared of Staten Island), this service helps keep our community safe and aware.
Stay engaged. Stay safe. Stay Staten Island strong.
Let’s make this summer one of growth, fun, and preparedness. 🌱⚾☀️

Due to an expected rainstorm, Staten Island Urban Center is rescheduling this week’s "Play in the Park" to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
🗓️ New Date: Wednesday, June 4th
🕒 Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Location: Tompkinsville Park
This will be our final Play in the Park event of the season – and we’re going out with a bang! Come through for youth-led games, outdoor activities, snacks, music, and a fun-filled sendoff to our spring programming.
All families and young people are welcome to attend. Bring your energy, your friends, and your love for community fun!
Thank you for your flexibility—we can’t wait to see you there.

Styled in Survival: Honoring Courage Through Fashion & Voice
Saturday, May 17th | 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Alice Austen House Museum
2 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305
Join us for a meaningful afternoon of celebration, reflection, and healing at Styled in Survival—a special event dedicated to honoring the strength and resilience of domestic violence survivors, their families, and the advocates who support them.
This powerful gathering will feature:

• An award ceremony recognizing local champions
  
• A curated exhibition highlighting stories of survival and empowerment
  
• A mocktail hour to connect and build community
  

Hosted at the historic Alice Austen House Museum, this event is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to wear purple attire in honor of domestic violence awareness and solidarity with survivors.
Let’s come together to lift voices, celebrate resilience, and foster a sense of hope and healing.
Presented in partnership with:

• Alice Austen House
  
• Break Free Foundation
  
• Staten Island Urban Center
  

We hope to see you there.