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Hoping for Another Year at Tolentine-Zeiser

By HEATHER HADDON

The Tolentine-Zeiser Youth Program is no stranger to adversity. In its 12-year history, the kids' sanctuary has been shuffled between buildings and is perpetually strapped for cash. And their 23-inch TV, boom box and several other valuable items were stolen, and never replaced, last October.

The thefts "crippled us," said Carmen Irizarry, the first and only director of the 
University Heights institution. "But we had to improvise. You have to find a way to make resources work for you."

But Tolentine-Zeiser could be facing its most harrowing fight over the bulk of its 
resources -- the Community Share funds from the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). The entire youth program's budget of $128,000 (for staff, activities and rent) comes from Share funds. 

"It will kill us," said Sister Margaret McDermott, director of Tolentine-Zeiser 
programming, about the possible funding loss. "There's no way we would be operating without it." 

Tolentine-Zeiser isn't on the chopping block yet, but its safety net has been stripped away with the reorganization of Share funding (see p. 1). With the city pushing to centralize the Share procurement process, community boards will no longer have as much a say in which programs are prioritized. 

Young people at the center on a recent weekday evening couldn't even fathom the loss of their beloved program. "I would move off this block," said 12-year-old Tomeka White. "If this wasn't here, people would be out in the streets shooting at each other."

The dense University Heights streets that surround the youth center, located on Andrews Avenue, are certainly some of the highest crime spots in the 52nd Precinct -- and will be targeted in this year's citywide Operation Impact policing program. Most of the roughly 30 young people who descend on the small corner building after school live within walking distance. The area is also home to six elementary and middle schools, and many working families.

For the Almanzars -- who live down the street -- the free program is a boon. Andres Almanzar picks up his son, McDaniel, after he gets off his job at a dry cleaner. By the time they get home, his wife has already begun her night shift cleaning offices in Brooklyn.

"They help him with his homework, but he gets to play here too," Almanzar said.

The modest space is set up for both functions. There are two popular pool tables, and a large bookcase crammed with games. Three boys started up a serious dominoes game mid-evening while other kids colored valentines. Sophie Tay, a 20-year-old volunteer who used to play in chess tournaments, often teaches the game at the center. 

But mostly, Tay loves to tutor. "I've definitely seen them improve, especially in their writing skills," said the Andrews Avenue resident. Looking up from her coloring, White boasted that, with Tay's help, she had scored above passing grades on her recent state achievement tests. A professional tutor is also on staff at Tolentine-Zeiser.

It is some of the simple rituals that keep kids coming to the modest building. On Fridays, part-time staffer Karina Diaz leads the participants through recipes in a 30-minute meals cookbook. Families celebrate their children's birthdays at the center, with everyone contributing chips or soda. There are dance contests, rap competitions and bingo tournaments. 

But Tolentine-Zeiser offers more than activities. When asked what the center provides its young people, Irizarry sighed and said, "It provides stability. It's the one constant regardless of what goes on out there on the streets."

The kids get plenty of counseling and personal attention when they need it, according to Irizarry. When 15-year-old Keven Rivera was having a tough time at school, Irizarry advised him to begin keeping a journal. By Christmas time, things had improved. 

"[The center] is the best thing that happened in the neighborhood," said Rivera, who has lived on Andrews Avenue since he was 4. For Tay, who dropped out of high school, her tutoring experiences have inspired her to get a GED.

If the Share funds are lost, Irizarry is ready to put up a fight. When Tolentine-Zeiser's senior center was threatened by cuts last summer, she quickly gathered 1,200 signatures against the move. "I'd get that going again immediately," she said.

Losing the center would be "devastating," as Irizarry put it -- and not just for the kids, but the parents and the entire community. As he left for the evening with his mother, Rivera agreed.

"This block can be so bad," he said, seriously. "This place helps to maintain it."

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