"We'd be home watching TV," Ocasio said, "or doing some dumb sh-- in the street."
To provide local teens an opportunity to use their energy constructively, the Hoboken Municipal Alliance Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (HMA) recently gave a $10,000 grant to the Hoboken-North Hudson YMCA to create a free youth Saturday night program for the next 28 weeks.
In the three weeks since the program began, participation has already grown from seven to 25 kids, according to the YMCA's teen supervisor Fabian Giraldo, who estimates that within the next six weeks, the number will exceed 100 teens.
"This gets these kids off the streets [and] focused on more important things, having a positive place so they won't have to say there are no places to go," said Giraldo.
In addition to the indoor basketball court, fitness center, and swimming pool, the YMCA will be offering teens, ages 13 to 17, 20 activities such as a teen strength competition, boxing, a volleyball tournament, cartooning, creative writing, hip-hop, salsa, and meringue dance sessions.
On the YMCA's basketball court, Ocasio gave a thumbs up for the program.
"It's great just being here, giving us something to do," said Ocasio.
Another teen hitting the boards that night was 16-year-old Jose Emanuelli.
"It's a good program that keeps everybody from getting into stupid stuff, whether that is drinking, smoking, whatever," he said. "It gives kids who don't have the money for a membership a chance to try the Y out."
Both teens attend Hoboken High School, which is where they became aware of the program.
Though there were no females present, supervisors said a few girls have recently joined the program, and as the Y adds activities, including kickboxing, teen yoga, and step aerobics, more are expected to come.
Judge saw too many teens in court
The program came about after Hoboken Municipal Court Judge Kimberly Glatt asked the HMA, of which she is a member, what activities the city was providing for teens, considering the number of youths ages 11 through 15 coming through her courtroom.
At approximately the same time, Hoboken's Director of Health and Human Services Carmelo Garcia was formulating a program with YMCA Executive Director Julie Gallanty that would allow local teens free access to the YMCA's facilities.
Garcia proposed the Saturday night program to the board, which allocated $10,000 that had previously been set aside by Mayor David Roberts for an anti-drug media campaign.
The HMA provides students throughout the Hoboken public school system with educational programs and extracurricular activities to deter the use of drugs, alcohol, and other damaging pursuits.
In 2006, the HMA received $50,000 from the county, which had been funded by the state. An additional $10,000 was provided by the city of Hoboken.
"When the judge approached us with this opportunity, we thought it was a perfect fit," said Roberts. "Hopefully, the teenagers in Hoboken will take advantage of the program."
YMCA Associate Director Cleveland Glover was thrilled at the opportunity to assist the city's teens.
"It's a great partnership," said Glover. "This is what we do, and with the city's backing, it's a win-win situation."
Another advocate for the program is Hoboken's Police Captain Anthony Romano, who is the chair of the HMA board.
"We want to keep their mind and body occupied. Give them some structure in different areas," said Romano, who recalled many nights he spent at the YMCA when he was growing up.
To find out more about the free weekly Saturday night program at the YMCA, call (201) 963-4100.
Other city recreational programs for kids
This month, the city will be offering local youths ages 7 to 17 the "Winter Fun Program," which will include opportunities to attend five New Jersey Nets Basketball games, Disney presentations on ice, and a chance to learn how to ski and snowboard in Mountain Creek.
The city will also start a flag football league for ages 11 to 13 and 14 to 18. The league, which has already signed up 60 local youths, will be held at the Little League Field and run from the beginning of December to the end of January.
"The kids are going to realize that we're trying our best to provide them with an outlet where they can have a great time," said Hoboken Director of Human Services Garcia.
In addition to the recreational activities, the city is sponsoring the Business Minds Thinking Program through the Boys and Girls Club of New Jersey at 123 Jefferson St. The program provides academic, emotional, and social support to teens, encouraging them to take an active leadership role in their lives.
For more information on this or any other program being offered by the city, contact the Office of Recreation at (201) 420-2094. - MM
Michael Mullins can be reached at mmullins@hudsonreporter.com
"This gets these kids off the streets." - Fabian Giraldo
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