Frances Scarantino wants Howard Beach residents to know that if they’d like a place for teens to go on Friday and Saturday nights in lieu of hanging out on Cross Bay Boulevard or at P.S. 207 as some residents recently complained about to police, she’s ready to make it happen.
But she needs some help from the community.
Scarantino used to offer programs for teens at the non-profit Striving to Achieve and Reach Success, Inc. or S.T.A.R.S. Youth Center she founded in 1996. The concept behind the program was to provide a safe, fun place for the youth of Howard Beach, including its teens, to go, as a positive alternative to hanging out on the streets.
Run entirely by volunteers, the program is nestled into a two-story building on Coleman Square opposite the Howard Beach train station. At its peak it offered dance and cheerleading classes, athletic activities, drama, a job readiness program and self-esteem building classes for boys and girls among other activities. Scarantino said she also organized off-site basketball games and dances.
But in the wake of funding losses and declining teen attendance, Scarantino has pared S.T.A.R.S. down to a co-ed Broadway jazz class for ages 10 to 17, two hip hop classes for boys and girls ages 5 to 16 and an adult Broadway jazz class.
“We used to have a lot of things we now no longer have,” Scarantino said, adding that she was open to adding more activities and programs to S.T.A.R.S. if there were a strong enough demand from the community.
“This may not be a place that offers things of interest to these teens,” Scarantino said, in reference those whose late-night loitering has created strife within the community. “But in order for us to get a place like that we really need to organize and be part of the solution,” she continued.
But what kind of place could lure teens away from the relative freedom of the streets and into a supervised environment remains the unanswered question. About 20 local residents ranging in age from teens to seniors said that the now-defunct Q-Zar Laser Tag center on Cross Bay Boulevard came the closest.
Others, like 23-year-old Christina Crasto, who said that a few years ago she too socialized with her friends on the traditional teen stomping grounds, gave a nod to Q-Zar’s appeal but said that ultimately, some teens will never be persuaded inside.
“There will always be some kids who won’t go because they don’t like authority,” said Angelo, 15. “And a lot of kids won’t go because they think other kids would think it’s stupid.”
Nonetheless, interviews with approximately one dozen teens who said they frequented P.S. 207 and walked the boulevard, showed that a few items could elevate the “cool factor” of such a place enough to pique their interest. Among them were indoor basketball, video game consoles, favorite movies or television episodes and a snack stand.
Several boys also mentioned that a designated area where they could drive their ATV quads without fearing they’d be stopped by the police would not only keep them occupied, they’d also be willing to pay a user fee.
“A quad track would definitely make money,” said one.
And profitability is a major sticking point, according to Scarantino, who said that when she looked into relocating to Cross Bay Boulevard, the monthly rent on the space was more than S.T.A.R.S. makes in one year.
To establish a new center with amenities like those mentioned by teens would require a very serious investment far beyond the grants she receives from local politicians, corporate and private donations, Scarantino said, asking interested members of the community to get involved.
“One organization can’t do it by themselves - they need help,” she said.
Anyone wishing to explore the expansion of teen activities, contact Scarantino at 718-845-6956 or at fos@s.t.a.r.s.youthcenter.com.
Open-enrollment for Broadway jazz and hip hop dance classes at S.T.A.R.S. will continue throughout the month of January.
S.T.A.R.S. Program the place for kids
By Karen James
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