NYC launches interactive website to help young New Yorkers find free summer activities
Photo by Michael Appleton/ Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr
New York City wants to make it easier for young people to find free and low-cost activities this summer. Mayor Zohran Mamdani this week launched “Summer in N.Y.C.,” a website that matches users with activities happening in their neighborhood, ranging from free painting and photography classes to sports leagues, summer jobs, and FIFA World Cup watch parties. The initiative is part of a broader effort by the administration to keep young New Yorkers safe during the summer, when gun violence sees an uptick, as CBS News reported.
“Too often, we tell young people what not to do—but don’t tell them what they should do,” Mamdani said. “This website is about connecting kids and teens to programs they’ll actually be excited about whether that’s basketball, photography, music or art—and making it easy for families to find opportunities close to home.”
“With summer fast approaching, we are using every tool available to keep young New Yorkers safe, listened to rather than lectured at, and surrounded by community.”
Users can search for events by age, ZIP code, interests, and travel distance. The platform also highlights free summer meals and citywide World Cup celebrations.
The announcement builds on recent outreach efforts from Mamdani, including a video conversation last week with members of True 2 Life, a Staten Island-based organization within the city’s Crisis Management System that uses peer mentorship and evidence-based intervention to prevent violence and address its root causes.
This summer, the Office of Neighborhood Safety, in collaboration with DYCD and community-based organizations, is launching a coordinated safety plan aimed at reducing youth violence and expanding opportunities for young people.
Through the Crisis Management System, outreach teams will increase engagement in neighborhoods most impacted by violence, with expanded mediation efforts, extended evening programming, youth listening sessions, and rapid-response activations during high-risk periods and large gatherings.
The plan also expands access to safe spaces, mentorship, recreation, and workforce opportunities, aiming to connect young New Yorkers to supportive resources throughout the summer months.
“Summer is a time for making the core memories that shape us. It’s a time for exploration, growth and fun for every young person in our City,” Renita Francois, deputy mayor for community safety, said.
“Delivering that means providing safe, meaningful, and free opportunities in all corners of the five boroughs and making them accessible,” she added. “We created Summer in NYC to put young people just a click away from favorite and new hobbies, experiences, and connections along with critical life skills such as conflict management and emotional regulation.”
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