JAMAICA, NY --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) York College cross country and track & field gave back to the community Tuesday afternoon when they welcomed local youth to join in on practice routines inside York College Gymnasium.    

"It was great to give back to the next generation of runners," said York College head men's and women's cross country and track & field coach Indira Avila.  "An experience like today not only helps in the development of our student-athletes, but also makes the kids aware of the opportunities that are available to them."

Children ages 6-11 from The Saratoga, one of Homes for the Homeless' Community Residential Resource Centers (CRRCs), were exposed to a typical college practice.  Homes for the Homeless operates CRCCs within the shelter infrastructure in an effort to simultaneously serve both homeless families and the surrounding community.  

Avila, assistant coaches Gregory Welch and Anthony Berardino, along with student-athletes Kaylash Autar, Hezekiah Corbin, Emely Cuevas, Destiny Scott and Shevon Walker opened by educating 16 children about the basics of track & field.  The Cardinals then taught stretching techniques and proper warm-up exercises and drills, followed by fun sprints and relays.  

"York College gave the children exposure to something that they may not have the opportunity to ever experience," said The Saratoga recreational coordinator Trevon Charles.  "It was great to see how excited our kids were to work out with the student-athletes for an out of this world experience."

Located in Jamaica, The Saratoga houses 255 families with approximately 375 children.  Homes for the Homeless has adopted a family-based, child-centered, education-focused approach to its programming that aims to break the cycle of poverty, foster positive identities, and promote future success while allowing kids to grow, experience, and learn as kids do.  Additionally, Homes for the Homeless builds upon the immediate need for providing basic shelter and enriches its services to provide wraparound support through community and other collaborations that ensure families are empowered and provided opportunities to achieve well-being and self-sufficiency.  To learn more about Homes for the Homeless, visit www.hfhnyc.org.



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