What is FRYSI?

The Far Rockaway Youth Sports Initiative [FYSI] provides a safe haven where the youth of Far Rockaway have the opportunity to participate in comprehensive basketball programs and academic tutoring which promotes the physical, educational and life skills necessary to prepare and empower them for leadership in their communities and success in their personal lives. It’s no secret that Far Rockaway has earned a reputation for being a tough town with many of the same problems faced by similar mostly urban, minority neighborhoods across the country. A great number of our participants are too familiar with crime, truancy, substance abuse, obesity, gun violence, teen pregnancy, and academic failure. Through the FRYSI program we are working diligently to change some of those statistics; with sports as our vehicle the opportunity for change is attainable.

FRYSI Mission

Teaching Far Rockaway’s high-risk youth the skills to become successful in life is at the core of the FYSI program. The four major components of the program include: 

• Academic Support/Homework Assistance - through tutoring, mentoring 
• Nutrition Education - to promote healthy lifestyles and combat obesity 
• Life Skills - which are integrated throughout all phases of the program 
• Sports Programming - participants engage in fun physical fitness, enjoy the camaraderie of playing in a team format with friends and peers, and learn to become responsible adolescents and adults ​​

All FRYSI programs provide participants with exceptional basketball instruction in clinic/small group settings, and practice skills in team format play. They learn about rules of the game, etiquette, sportsmanship, positive attitudes, fair play, self-esteem, taking responsibility for choices, and management of emotions. We are fortunate to have a corps of volunteers who are dedicated to the program and are available to work with the children on improving their academic and athletic skills.