Youth center will let kids ‘just be kids’

Kids need a place to just be kids, said Howard Beach resident and civic leader Nick LoPrinzi — a place with casual rules and parent volunteers who will have some fun too.
“Growing up in Howard Beach, I never had a place like that,” LoPrinzi said.
But LoPrinzi, along with local youth sports coaches Joe Perillo and Sean Roberts, has assured that today’s Howard Beach youngsters will have such a spot.
At the Howard Beach Civic Forum’s (HBCF) Tuesday, September 25 meeting, the trio announced plans for a new youth center to be housed in the convent of Our Lady of Grace (OLG) Parish. OLG’s school will open its gym to the center, too.
The idea of a youth center has circulated for months within the Howard Beach community, though until now, it had been merely that — an idea. It rocketed to life when Roberts, during an afternoon barbeque, casually suggested OLG as a location for the would-be center. Just six weeks later, it prepares to open its doors to local 7th through 10th graders.
“We’ve gotten unbelievable support from the community,” said Roberts. “People have donated TVs, furniture, pool tables — we even got a vending machine.”
The center will also offer ping-pong, foosball, video games, DVDs, sports, and a computer lab with Internet access.
LoPrinzi, a former HBCF member who owns Mahogany Steakhouse on Cross Bay Boulevard, said the center will officially launch with an open house the week of Monday, October 15, though time and date remain indefinite.
At first, the youth center will be open Saturdays from 7 until 10 p.m., but LoPrinzi hopes to expand hours as the center, which will be run by volunteers, grows.
Pastor Joe Gibino, of OLG, could not be reached for comment, but LoPrinzi called his willingness to help “awesome,” while Roberts appreciated his “trust in the project.”
Kids who use the center can sign up for retreats and community service, but no such activities will be required. Leaving the choice up to the kids, said LoPrinzi, is a way of fostering trust.
“There can’t be any catch,” he said. “Kids have to know this is a place where they can just be kids. [Now,] they just hang out on corners, and you can’t blame them. When one kid does something wrong, they all get in trouble.”
Most agree that youngsters in Howard Beach need a place to go.
Center volunteer Tom Mercatante, whose three sons will use the facility, says he “absolutely” sees the need for the center.
“As a parent, you always worry [where your kids are],” he said. “Just like my parents worried about me - it’ll never change, no matter how old they are.”
Nina DeBlasio, HBCF Vice President, is a fan of the center, despite minor concerns.
“There’s still a lot of details,” she said. “But you have to start somewhere, and it’s a great first step.”
Councilmember Joe Addabbo called the center “crucial” to the Howard Beach community.
“Kids start out in the park, then they move to a street corner,” said Addabbo. “Then cops come, and they move to another corner. It’s like kicking dirt under the rug. They need a spot. This is a grand slam.”
For any questions, including those about the upcoming open house and volunteering at the center, or to donate new or used electronics, game tables, furniture or TVs, email Nick LoPrinzi (nloprinzi@colorcarton.com) or Sean Roberts (sroberts@olgsports.com).