Two days after inaugurating their new ballpark, the New York Mets and Citi launched the Citi Field Kids program, an initiative aimed at instilling in area middle and high school students the values and ideals of Jackie Robinson.
This season’s six Citi Field Kids visits, the first of which took place on April 15, begin with a pre-game private tour of the recently dedicated Jackie Robinson Rotunda led by a Jackie Robinson Foundation scholar.
Tour groups consist of middle and high schoolers from the 36 non-profit organizations within the United Neighborhood Houses (UNH) system of human services agencies. The organizations provide social, educational and recreational services to over half a million New Yorkers each year.
Additional Citi Field Kids guests, who will participate in question and answer sessions with participating youth, will include current or former Mets players, executives, broadcasters or teammates of Jackie Robinson.
The program, according to organizers, seeks to educate and inspire youth through a focus on Robinson’s “nine values” – courage, integrity, determination, persistence, citizenship, justice, commitment, teamwork and excellence – as articulated by his daughter, Sharon Robinson, the Vice Chair of the family foundation.
“We are excited and honored to initiate a unique community program at Citi Field that can have such a positive impact on the lives of so many people,” Terri Dial, Citi’s CEO of Consumer Banking North America and Global Head of Consumer Strategy, said in a statement.
For its part, UNH recognizes the invaluable lessons the Citi Field Kids program will offer students over the course of the inaugural season at the Mets’ new stadium, starting with the next visit on May 13.
“Our kids are tomorrow’s leaders,” UNH Executive Director Nancy Wackstein said in a statement, “and it is wonderful that the Mets and Citi both are investing in their futures as part of a solid commitment to New York City.”
