Brooklyn can be a national model for what it looks like to build community around philanthropy, and in truly challenging moments like the one we are currently facing, it becomes even clearer: the way forward is to build strength globally. When national systems fail us, community becomes the safety net, neighborhood institutions become the backbone.
The surge in new funding includes more than half a billion dollars in recurring funding targeted at costs that city officials say shifted from the state to New York City in recent years, including $300 million for youth programming, $150 million in restored sales tax revenue and $60 million for public health. The remaining $500 million will go toward "shared priorities" to be determined by the city and state.
The Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center is Central Brooklyn's first recreation facility of its kind, featuring a full gym, indoor swimming pool, dance studio, culinary kitchen, media lab and an indoor track overlooking a full basketball court. Neighbors say the center fills a long-standing gap in community resources. 'There's been a lack of activities for children and adults,' said participant Tawana King. 'With the swimming, exercise and arts and crafts, it gives people a sense of belonging.'
PITMAN, New Jersey -- Randy Van Osten knew he had a calling to serve in the church since he was a teenager. That path led him to become the pastor at First Baptist Church of Pitman. There, he wears many hats in addition to his tie-dye shirts and patchwork pants. He and a team of volunteers contribute to the Pitman Food Pantry, a project that brings several church communities together to feed the neighborhood.
As KTVU reports, a boxing ring used by heavyweight champion George Foreman in the 1980s sustained extensive damage after a car thief crashed into Lightning's Boxing Club on 5845 MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland at some point in the early hours Thursday morning. Kris Lopez, who co-owns the gym with his wife Denise Lopez, said the impact of the crash was forceful. "It's like an earthquake," Kris Lopez told KTVU. "The force knocked over the ring stairs and pushed the ring out of place."
From day one, our administration's North Star has been public safety. We have gone to work to sweep out crime and illegal activities from our neighborhoods, and because of this work, we are currently in our eighth consecutive quarter of crime reductions. That means for almost two straight years since January 2024 crime has consistently declined each quarter in New York City. But public safety is about more than just policing. To make sure our communities feel safe and are safe, we must make smart, upstream investments that prevent crime in the first place. We must invest in our young people and provide them with safe places away from gun violence. Places to just be kids, and to play and build trust with law enforcement.
It's funny because people ask me often, as you can imagine, what is it like being Bruce Lee's daughter? The answer that I give nowadays, which most people don't like, is that it's the same as you being the child of your parent, right? They're like, no, it's not. I say, but it is. It's exactly the same. Of course there are many fans of my father who come up to me and express themselves to me, so perhaps it's on a different scale sometimes.
Mookie Betts was named the 2025 recipient of Major League Baseball's most prestigious individual player honor, the Roberto Clemente Award, which is annual recognition of an MLB player who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions, both on and off the field. Betts was nominated by the Los Angeles Dodgers for his many extraordinary efforts, including supporting young people in a variety of ways and helping victims of the L.A. fires.
Keithen Foster remembers the T-Mobile side-kick phone he used to text his mentor, longtime Brian McKnight bassist Chris Loftlin, while he was in high school. Touring kept Loftlin busy, but he made time for Foster, who was in awe of the experiences his mentor would share in their conversations. 'I remember him saying, 'yo I'll hit you back tomorrow, I'm about to hop on this flight and go to Tokyo,’” said Foster, reminiscing about the excitement of Loftlin’s touring life.
GAA Palestine expressed deep disappointment over the denied entry for the touring party of 33 children and 14 mentors, stating that necessary documentation was provided on time.
This qualification shows that a youth club can be more than a place to get fit and perform. It can be a launch pad, the beginning of what happens when we centre on their voices and their futures.
