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Renaissance Youth Center

Bronx, NY · EIN 134122438 · Form 990 · FY2023 · NTEE O20 · Youth Development · Medium ($1M-$10M) · renaissanceyouth.org
revenue
$3.1M
expenses
$3.6M
net assets
$2.2M
employees
120
program ratio
95%
mission · from form 990

Maximizing the potential of at-risk inner city youth through education and music programming and reinforcing the values of self-empowerment, family and community.

profile · synthesized from sources

Renaissance Youth Center serves at-risk youth in the Bronx and across New York City through education, music, and civic engagement programs. The organization offers after-school programming, youth council initiatives, and hands-on learning in areas like robotics, coding, and performing arts. It aims to empower young people through skill-building, leadership development, and community connection.

named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Afterschool Program
After-school services for students in grades K–5, registered through the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development.
CodeBotics
Robotics and coding program for participants 12 and older, offered in partnership with the Broadcom Foundation, culminating in robot battle competitions.
Music Classes
8-week music instruction cycles for youth ages 3–18 in vocals, keyboard, guitar, bass, drums, and dance; includes free tutoring and homework help on Saturdays.
Youth Connect Tour
Free summer event series held across NYC boroughs featuring music, dance, speakers, and leadership awards to connect youth with positive activities and community leaders.
Youth Council
Youth-led civic engagement initiative that empowers young people to lead community change, engage with government and community leaders, and develop leadership and organizing skills.
iBelong
Program serving youth ages 16–24, focused on personal development, community connection, and support services.
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
    • Education and music programming for at-risk youth
      Provides educational and music programming to at-risk inner-city youth to support self-empowerment, family, and community development. Offers instruction in music (vocals, keyboard, guitar, bass, drums) and dance for youth ages 3–18, with structured 8-week class cycles on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings, including free tutoring and homework help.
  • Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
    • STEM and performing arts programs
      Operates hands-on educational programs in robotics, coding, engineering, agriculture, and zoology, including a robotics program for youth aged 12 and up that emphasizes hardware, building, and coding skills, and hosts a competitive robotics event at the end of each semester called The Ultimate Battle Bot of New York.
  • After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • Weekly youth programming across New York City
      Provides programming to 4,000 children each week through a youth center in the South Bronx featuring 15 classrooms across three floors dedicated to hands-on learning, and extends services citywide through outreach initiatives.
  • Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
    • Youth Connect Tour and leadership awards
      Hosts the Youth Connect Tour, a free summer event held in each borough on Tuesdays and Thursdays to connect youth with positive activities, peers, and community leaders, and annually recognizes one young person per borough with the Renaissance Youth Connect Leadership Award.
  • Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
    • Youth development and leadership programs
      Runs the Youth Council program for participants aged 13 and older and the iBelong program for youth and young adults aged 16 to 24, both designed to foster leadership, personal development, and community engagement.
financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$3.06M
Contributions & grants$2.48M81%
Program service revenue$359K12%
Investment income$80K3%
Other revenue$142K
expenses
Total expenses$3.62M
Program expenses95%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.96M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.96M
Cash$1.28M
Investments$0
Liabilities$785K
Net assets$2.18M
Liquid reserves4.2 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +26.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
BERVIN HARRIS President & CEO 35 $251K
Ginette Diaz COO 35 $158K
board members · 19
  • Alison Jones — Director
  • Anne Hasegawa — Director
  • Devin Jones — Director
  • Emerson Verrier — Director
  • Howard Altarescu — Chair-Emeritus
  • Jonathan Orner — Director
  • Joseph Robillard — Director
  • Joseph Taylor — Director
  • Joshua Silverman — Director
  • Kristen Mancini — Director
  • Manika Dosni — Director
  • Manuel Montilla — Director
  • Matthew Gulmi — Director
  • Melissa Valcovic — President
  • Nathaniel Litwak — Treasurer
  • Sarah Dunn — Board Chair
  • Ten Loh — Director
  • Toby Jackson — Director
  • Venna Mosur — Secretary
relationships · 6

Who they work with

  • Broadcom Foundation Partner — Partner in offering the CodeBotics robotics program for youth.
  • DYCD Partner — Partner organization for afterschool program registration
  • New York City Councilmembers Mark Gjonaj Funder — Provided funding for the 2021 Youth Connect Tour
  • New York City Councilmembers Vanessa Gibson Funder — Provided funding for the 2021 Youth Connect Tour
  • New York City Department of Youth and Community Development Funder — Primary funder of the 2021 Youth Connect Tour
  • South Bronx Government — Operates a youth center serving the South Bronx community.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Arts-Based Youth Development
    methodology: arts-based_youth_development
    By integrating music, arts, and creative expression into youth programming, we build self-empowerment and strengthen community bonds, because creative engagement fosters identity development and emotional resilience in at-risk youth.
  • Integrated Holistic Development
    methodology: integrated_youth_development
    By combining arts, academic support, and STEM within a unified youth development framework, we increase engagement and personal growth, because addressing multiple domains of development simultaneously creates compounding benefits for youth.
  • Project-Based Experiential Learning
    methodology: project_based_learning
    By engaging youth in hands-on projects like robotics and coding, we develop STEM and critical thinking skills, because experiential learning promotes deeper understanding and sustained engagement compared to traditional instruction.
  • Second Home Model
    methodology: second_home_model
    By providing a stable, welcoming "second home" environment, we support personal growth and belonging, because consistent, safe spaces outside the family unit enhance emotional security and openness to learning.
  • Youth-Led Civic Engagement
    methodology: youth_led_civic_engagement
    By involving youth in identifying community issues and interacting with civic leaders, we foster responsibility and agency, because direct participation in civic processes builds empowerment and long-term community investment.