STATEN ISLAND URBAN CENTER
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  • Our Urban Town News
    • Our Urban Town News - Spring Summer 2022 Perceptions >
      • Our Urban Town Spring Summer 2022 Perceptions Cover
      • Community Spotlight - Against Da Grain Angie Feature
      • Economic Study Finds MERC Is Next Step To Progress - Sam Cristy, SIUC
      • Our Community, Our Land - Saul Porter, SIUC
      • Colorism - Malasia Reed, CHS Student
      • An American Family - Rachel Sanchez, Educator
      • When Will Segregation End? - Ania Nixon, CHS Student
      • A Vision of Hope for Relief - Jaylette Jones Tottenville HS Student
      • Who Am I? - Nodrot Adebayo Tottenville HS Student
      • The Black Mid-Island Experience - Chelsea Jones, Tottenville HS Student
      • A Black Male Enters the South Shore - Tecumsay Morris, CHS Student
      • Tompkinsville Park is Healing and Everyone is making a difference
    • Our Urban Town Spring Summer 2021 - Refresh & Reimagine Blog Version >
      • Refresh & Reimagine Our Urban Town For A Post COVId 19 World
      • Coming Soon To Tompkinsville Spring/Summer 2021 Park
      • Happening Now In Tompkinsville Spring Summer 2021
      • Racial Impact Study Would Enhance Equitable Outcomes - By Kelly Vilar
      • Community Spotlight on Jersey Street
      • Landfill Fashionistas Live On >
        • Art and Action for Social & Environmental Justice
      • Notes from a Landfill Fashionista: Meat Consumption - A Major Polluter By Amara Cordero, Youth Writer
    • The Landfill Fashionista: Podcasting for the Environment
    • Our Urban Town Winter 2021 Blog Version
    • Our Urban Town Winter 2021 >
      • Congratulations to the Friends of Tompkinsville Park and to Artist Musa Hixson
      • The Fabulous Art of Shani Mitchell
      • Landfill Fashionista Art Wall of Portraits at Snug Harbor Cultural Center Through June 2021
      • Take Yourself Off Mute By Rev. Dr. Alfonso Wyatt
      • Grassroots Litter Program Underway
      • Supporting The Mental Health of Teens During COVID-19 Pandemic By Dr. Grace Feyijinmi
      • A Case For Moving Towards a More Culturally Responsive Education For Black and Brown Children By Fern Metcalf
      • Writings of Tysen Metcalf
    • Mental Boxing With Tysen
    • Spring/Summer 2020 >
      • "Tompkinsville’s Urban Village" by John Kilcullen
      • "Two Lynchings, One Borough: The Legacy of a Racialized Community" by Debbie-Ann Paige
      • "Conversations with Staten Islanders The Right to Lifer and the Progressive" by Roxanne Mustafa
      • "Census2020 Staten Island" by Tatiana Arguella
      • "Bittersweet: A Poem for the Environment" by Kristy Anderson
    • Spring/Summer 2019 >
      • "Living A Life Centered on Helping The Community" by Amoy Barnes
      • "Food for Thought" by Melishia Brown
      • "My Thoughts on Immigration" by Friday Martinez
      • "My Period" by Tiffany Davis
      • "REsistah Radio On AIR" by Kelly Villar
      • "Youth & The Power of Words: Thoughts on Teaching Creative Writing to Young People" by Raymond Ramirez
      • Haikus & Pantoums
    • Spring 2018 >
      • "Finding Your Authentic Feminine Power Voice" by Deborah Quinones,
      • "Why We Fight For Housing Dignity On Staten Island" by Deacon Mary Bourne
      • "The Black Helicopter Mom Chronicles" by Tammy Greer Brown
      • "Dyslexic Friendly Communities" by Laura Cavallieri
      • "A Daughter of DACA" by Judith Prado
      • "The Call For The Young Women’s Leadership School On Staten Island" by Susan Master
      • "Profiles of the Past and Present"
      • "The Food Deserts of Staten Island" by Susan Fowler
      • "Profiles of the Future"
      • "Paying It Forward" by Rosalind Diaz
      • "The New Surge of Women Entering the Political Arena: A Moment or a Movement" by Jasmine “Jasi” Robinson
      • "Nature and Justice" by Rev. Gabriella Velardi
      • "Why I March?" by Lorie Honor
      • "War is a Justice Issue" by Brittany Ramos DeBarros
    • Fall/Winter 2018 >
      • "The Debate: Jane Jacobs & Robert Moses On The Developing North Shore" by Kelly Vilar
      • "Why We Fight For Housing Dignity On Staten Island" by Deacon Mary Bourne
      • "Making Businesses Work on Bay Street" by Lorie Honor
      • "The Role of Civic Groups in Shaping Development & Advocating for Communities"
      • "Visualizing The North Shore" by Nicholas Zvegintzov
      • "Reflections on Serving the Poorest Staten Islanders" by Zulma Cruz
      • "Staten Island’s Unacknowledged Crisis of Environmental Devastation" by Saul Porter
      • "Out of School, Out of Work, But Not Out of Options" by Elizabeth Speck & Faoziyat Sanusi
      • "We’re Still Here" by Annecia Steiniger
      • "Thriving Students Reflect Thriving Communities" by Lou Bruschi
      • "The Mis-Education of Staten Island Development" by Kelly Vilar
      • "Maritime Education A future for Staten Island youth" by Captain Ann Fraioli
      • "Nature and Justice" by Rev. Gabriella Velardi
      • "The Promise of Tompkinsville Park: Why we don't give up." by Katie McCarthy
    • Summer 2017 >
      • "Editor's Page URBY and Democracy" by Annecia Steiniger
      • "We’re Still Here" by Annecia Steiniger
      • "Adaptation To Climate Change" by Annecia Steiniger
      • "Reclaim Our Harbors Through Maritime Education" by Isabel Bruschi
      • "Visualizing The North Shore" by Nicholas Zvegintzov
      • "Issues: A Hip Hop View" by Brendyn Owoyemi
      • "Recreation" by Nicolas Vilar
      • "My Concerns for the Growing North Shore of Staten Island" by Delcia Coye
      • Inaugural Issue Fall 2016 >
        • "The Debate: Jane Jacobs & Robert Moses On The Developing North Shore" by Kelly Vilar
        • "The Cromwell Update" by Steve Joseph
        • "The Role of Civic Groups in Shaping Development & Advocating for Communities"
        • "Making Businesses Work on Bay Street" by Lorie Honor
        • "Graffiti and Street Art on Staten Island" by Chris Penn
        • "Why have a Maritime Education & Recreation Corridor?"
        • "Staten Islander's Deserve Housing with Dignity" by Nick Petrie
        • "No School Seats, No Development" by Barbara Sanchez
        • "Confessions of a Black Helicopter Mom" by Tammy Greer Brown
      • "The Power of Play" by Kelly Vilar
    • Winter 2017 >
      • "The Mis-Education of Staten Island Development" by Kelly Vilar
      • "Thriving Students Reflect Thriving Communities" by Lou Bruschi
      • "Bringing Arts, History & Education to the Table: “Sandy Ground at St. John’s” Finale and Our Next Steps" by Robert Fanuzzi
      • "Dyslexic Friendly Communities" by Laura Cavallieri
      • "Breaking Barriers" by Naomi Watts
      • "Truly Organic" by Carmen Abercrombie
      • "Confessions of a Black Helicopter Mom Part Two" by Tammy Greer Brown
      • "An Essay on Social Justice" by Tysen Marcellus Metcalf,
      • "Maritime Education A future for Staten Island youth" by Captain Ann Fraioli
      • "#rebuildcromwell Open Letter No. 16"
  • volunteer or donate
    • Documentary: Our Urban Town
  • Press
  • Gallery
  • Registration Form
Youth Development 
At the Staten Island Urban Center youth development through youth involvement is way for young people to become socially conscious, to be aware of the world around them, and to discover their own educated social, political, cultural and historical perspectives on the events that are occurring in their own lives. The goal is to help youth to become action oriented and driven by things they care about and are educated on. Youth who are involved become dynamic problem solvers finding solutions and acting on them which leads to what we believe are the most successful parts of youth and community development: growth, self-determination and independence. 

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Young Women's Leadership Training Group
The Staten Island Urban Center's Young Women's Leadership Training Group is a youth development program focused on learning about leadership through the arts. We incorporate college and career readiness, cultural exploration, gender studies and social activism into leadership training while using the arts and music as mediums of expression. 
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Young Womens Leadership Group launches ReSistah Radio, a 2 hour show youth-produced broadcast on grassroots MakerPark Radio in March 2019.
Click for ReSistah Radio
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Our Urban Town Youth Writing Investigators
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In 2017, Ashley Davis 17 and Faysyntheia Sims 16 - both SIUC Youth Artrepreneurs were selected as one of the youngest artists to participate in the 100 Gates Project in NYC.
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Youth leaders Naysha and Nya preparing architectural rendering made of recycled materials to illustrate need for public open space for youth
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Staten Island Urban Center youth leaders lead participatory dance fitness exhibition with children at health fair in the park
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SI Urban Center Youth Leaders helping paint the community mural project with Projectivity and other community members
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Staten Island Urban Center youth leaders hiking through the Conference House Park on the way to their greenhouse project

Youth Development through Art and Action

Supporting young people
in the time of COVID 19

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Imam Zulqarnain Abdu Shahid, President of Baitul Jamaat - House of Community leading the SI Urban Center Youth through the Drum Circle therapy
The Staten Island Urban Center's Express Yourself Youth Studio Sessions  lead youth to discover their own voices through writing music, poetry and spoken word. In 2017 we partnered with Lyric Lab, Projectivity Movement and Brighton Heights Reformed Church and were able to produce a performance series that included presentations with videos, self produced graphics and recorded works.
Below is a self produced video & lyrics  by 13 year old Tysen Metcalf called I Wish
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Cromwell at the MERC Symposium Nautical Knot-Tying with Boy Scouts
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Ania Nixon, SI Urban Center Intern poses with her parents in front of her artwork being displayed at the Staten Island Museum apart of the Altered Books Exhibit
PictureSI Urban Center Youth Leaders take a tour a photo during their hike through the Mariners Marsh Park (MMP) January 2023

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PictureSimi Nodrot - Our SIUC Youth Intern
​Youth Leadership Development:
Youth Social Justice, Enrichment & Collaboration
Youth Leadership Development is at the core of the future.  We are developing youth leaders by exposing and involving them in doing good works, creating positive change in communities and schools, exploring a larger world outside of Staten Island, the city and country, understanding history and using discovery as a seed for building leadership. The Staten Island Urban Center has been a catalyst in creating an agenda for the north shore community on youth. 

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November 2022 SI Urban Center Youth Leaders take part in the It Takes Green to Build a Greenway walk and rally to advocate for the North Shore Waterfront!
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SI Urban Center Youth participate at the NYC Climate, Jobs, and Justice Campaign Launch with NY Renews at Union Square on Nov 16 2022

Advocating for more resources needed for the community

PictureJareth, SI Urban Center Jr Staff assisting members of the community to sign up to receive services and resources from the community.
​Since 2015, we have been advocates helping to bring resources to Staten Island such as the Youth Build program and the New York Harbor Middle School. We continue to advocate for other unique resources that expose young people to opportunities that help make a difference not only in their own lives, but also in their communities. 

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Ayven, SI Urban Center Intern performing his poems to the public during the open mic segment at It's My Park Day event in Tompkinsville Park
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First Lady of NYC Chirlane McCray with Our Urban Town Youth Writer Nafiul Bahri & Kelly Vilar
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    Please use this CONTACT ME form if you are interested in learning or registering for one of our youth programs. Please indicate your interests in the comments section. Thank you. 

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  • Home
  • Events
  • Youth Development
  • SIUC Youth Media
  • Community Development
  • We are Innovators & Activists
  • Our Urban Town News
    • Our Urban Town News - Spring Summer 2022 Perceptions >
      • Our Urban Town Spring Summer 2022 Perceptions Cover
      • Community Spotlight - Against Da Grain Angie Feature
      • Economic Study Finds MERC Is Next Step To Progress - Sam Cristy, SIUC
      • Our Community, Our Land - Saul Porter, SIUC
      • Colorism - Malasia Reed, CHS Student
      • An American Family - Rachel Sanchez, Educator
      • When Will Segregation End? - Ania Nixon, CHS Student
      • A Vision of Hope for Relief - Jaylette Jones Tottenville HS Student
      • Who Am I? - Nodrot Adebayo Tottenville HS Student
      • The Black Mid-Island Experience - Chelsea Jones, Tottenville HS Student
      • A Black Male Enters the South Shore - Tecumsay Morris, CHS Student
      • Tompkinsville Park is Healing and Everyone is making a difference
    • Our Urban Town Spring Summer 2021 - Refresh & Reimagine Blog Version >
      • Refresh & Reimagine Our Urban Town For A Post COVId 19 World
      • Coming Soon To Tompkinsville Spring/Summer 2021 Park
      • Happening Now In Tompkinsville Spring Summer 2021
      • Racial Impact Study Would Enhance Equitable Outcomes - By Kelly Vilar
      • Community Spotlight on Jersey Street
      • Landfill Fashionistas Live On >
        • Art and Action for Social & Environmental Justice
      • Notes from a Landfill Fashionista: Meat Consumption - A Major Polluter By Amara Cordero, Youth Writer
    • The Landfill Fashionista: Podcasting for the Environment
    • Our Urban Town Winter 2021 Blog Version
    • Our Urban Town Winter 2021 >
      • Congratulations to the Friends of Tompkinsville Park and to Artist Musa Hixson
      • The Fabulous Art of Shani Mitchell
      • Landfill Fashionista Art Wall of Portraits at Snug Harbor Cultural Center Through June 2021
      • Take Yourself Off Mute By Rev. Dr. Alfonso Wyatt
      • Grassroots Litter Program Underway
      • Supporting The Mental Health of Teens During COVID-19 Pandemic By Dr. Grace Feyijinmi
      • A Case For Moving Towards a More Culturally Responsive Education For Black and Brown Children By Fern Metcalf
      • Writings of Tysen Metcalf
    • Mental Boxing With Tysen
    • Spring/Summer 2020 >
      • "Tompkinsville’s Urban Village" by John Kilcullen
      • "Two Lynchings, One Borough: The Legacy of a Racialized Community" by Debbie-Ann Paige
      • "Conversations with Staten Islanders The Right to Lifer and the Progressive" by Roxanne Mustafa
      • "Census2020 Staten Island" by Tatiana Arguella
      • "Bittersweet: A Poem for the Environment" by Kristy Anderson
    • Spring/Summer 2019 >
      • "Living A Life Centered on Helping The Community" by Amoy Barnes
      • "Food for Thought" by Melishia Brown
      • "My Thoughts on Immigration" by Friday Martinez
      • "My Period" by Tiffany Davis
      • "REsistah Radio On AIR" by Kelly Villar
      • "Youth & The Power of Words: Thoughts on Teaching Creative Writing to Young People" by Raymond Ramirez
      • Haikus & Pantoums
    • Spring 2018 >
      • "Finding Your Authentic Feminine Power Voice" by Deborah Quinones,
      • "Why We Fight For Housing Dignity On Staten Island" by Deacon Mary Bourne
      • "The Black Helicopter Mom Chronicles" by Tammy Greer Brown
      • "Dyslexic Friendly Communities" by Laura Cavallieri
      • "A Daughter of DACA" by Judith Prado
      • "The Call For The Young Women’s Leadership School On Staten Island" by Susan Master
      • "Profiles of the Past and Present"
      • "The Food Deserts of Staten Island" by Susan Fowler
      • "Profiles of the Future"
      • "Paying It Forward" by Rosalind Diaz
      • "The New Surge of Women Entering the Political Arena: A Moment or a Movement" by Jasmine “Jasi” Robinson
      • "Nature and Justice" by Rev. Gabriella Velardi
      • "Why I March?" by Lorie Honor
      • "War is a Justice Issue" by Brittany Ramos DeBarros
    • Fall/Winter 2018 >
      • "The Debate: Jane Jacobs & Robert Moses On The Developing North Shore" by Kelly Vilar
      • "Why We Fight For Housing Dignity On Staten Island" by Deacon Mary Bourne
      • "Making Businesses Work on Bay Street" by Lorie Honor
      • "The Role of Civic Groups in Shaping Development & Advocating for Communities"
      • "Visualizing The North Shore" by Nicholas Zvegintzov
      • "Reflections on Serving the Poorest Staten Islanders" by Zulma Cruz
      • "Staten Island’s Unacknowledged Crisis of Environmental Devastation" by Saul Porter
      • "Out of School, Out of Work, But Not Out of Options" by Elizabeth Speck & Faoziyat Sanusi
      • "We’re Still Here" by Annecia Steiniger
      • "Thriving Students Reflect Thriving Communities" by Lou Bruschi
      • "The Mis-Education of Staten Island Development" by Kelly Vilar
      • "Maritime Education A future for Staten Island youth" by Captain Ann Fraioli
      • "Nature and Justice" by Rev. Gabriella Velardi
      • "The Promise of Tompkinsville Park: Why we don't give up." by Katie McCarthy
    • Summer 2017 >
      • "Editor's Page URBY and Democracy" by Annecia Steiniger
      • "We’re Still Here" by Annecia Steiniger
      • "Adaptation To Climate Change" by Annecia Steiniger
      • "Reclaim Our Harbors Through Maritime Education" by Isabel Bruschi
      • "Visualizing The North Shore" by Nicholas Zvegintzov
      • "Issues: A Hip Hop View" by Brendyn Owoyemi
      • "Recreation" by Nicolas Vilar
      • "My Concerns for the Growing North Shore of Staten Island" by Delcia Coye
      • Inaugural Issue Fall 2016 >
        • "The Debate: Jane Jacobs & Robert Moses On The Developing North Shore" by Kelly Vilar
        • "The Cromwell Update" by Steve Joseph
        • "The Role of Civic Groups in Shaping Development & Advocating for Communities"
        • "Making Businesses Work on Bay Street" by Lorie Honor
        • "Graffiti and Street Art on Staten Island" by Chris Penn
        • "Why have a Maritime Education & Recreation Corridor?"
        • "Staten Islander's Deserve Housing with Dignity" by Nick Petrie
        • "No School Seats, No Development" by Barbara Sanchez
        • "Confessions of a Black Helicopter Mom" by Tammy Greer Brown
      • "The Power of Play" by Kelly Vilar
    • Winter 2017 >
      • "The Mis-Education of Staten Island Development" by Kelly Vilar
      • "Thriving Students Reflect Thriving Communities" by Lou Bruschi
      • "Bringing Arts, History & Education to the Table: “Sandy Ground at St. John’s” Finale and Our Next Steps" by Robert Fanuzzi
      • "Dyslexic Friendly Communities" by Laura Cavallieri
      • "Breaking Barriers" by Naomi Watts
      • "Truly Organic" by Carmen Abercrombie
      • "Confessions of a Black Helicopter Mom Part Two" by Tammy Greer Brown
      • "An Essay on Social Justice" by Tysen Marcellus Metcalf,
      • "Maritime Education A future for Staten Island youth" by Captain Ann Fraioli
      • "#rebuildcromwell Open Letter No. 16"
  • volunteer or donate
    • Documentary: Our Urban Town
  • Press
  • Gallery
  • Registration Form