Families rely on center for academic support, safe afterschool supervision

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Community Center, located in Port Chester, New York, received donor funding to help support education and nutrition programs from November 2025 to July 2026. The funding came from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The funding directly supported 70 youth in kindergarten to grade 8 who are from low-income and primary immigrant families. These families rely on the center for academic support, safe afterschool supervision, enrichment programs and healthy nutrition. Most youth come from households of three to six members, and the parents generally have a high school education or less, work in low-wage jobs, and often face language barriers and food insecurity.

Through the afterschool program, youth received homework help and took part in STEAM and recreation activities. The center provides afterschool academic support and enrichment for approximately 30 children, ESL classes, and college access mentoring for approximately 20 first-generation students.

The center’s nutrition program provided hot meals for the youth and their families. Funding also supported the soup kitchen that provides nutritious meals to individuals, families and elderly community members facing food insecurity. This helped reduce hunger and strengthen family support. The center serves close to 4,300 hot meals each month.

During the past year, the center also introduced a culinary skills and ServSafe certification program to provide men, women, and youth in the community with practical job skills and training. The program has generated strong interest, and there is currently a waitlist of more than 45 individuals hoping to participate.

Two of the youth who were supported through the center’s college program gave an interview with News12 Westchester. Andrea Barjas explained, “I’ve been a part of the Don Bosco Scholars for two years, and they’ve helped me throughout the whole process. Diego Umanzor said, “I feel like people believe in me. People around me are rooting for me.”

Don Bosco Community Center serves youth and families that are often vulnerable and struggling, empowering them to build lives of dignity, stability, and hope. Programs feed, educate and support families to offer a chance for a brighter future.

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Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Don Bosco Community Center

Salesian Missions – United States