Prior to the start of the annual school year, the Gwen Cherry Park Foundation secures school supplies to donate to the children in the community, including backpacks. These school supplies are given to children who are already  participants in the center’s activities.

All school supplies are new and they include pencils, erasers, paper, folders, and other commonly used school supplies.

This activity generates a great deal of excitement each year. The book bags and other supplies are donated by different entities. Local organizations are encouraged to partner with other groups to enhance this back to school event.

Please support the Gwen Cherry Park Foundation to help provide annual funding for this program. Donations are currently being accepted.

The Afterschool Program provides a variety of activities during the month of February to commemorate Black History Month. Events are carefully planned to raise the self-esteem and enhance the cultural awareness of the children. One of the highly anticipated activities is an oratorical contest, the children conduct research and select a speech by a well-known African American. Their reading skills and knowledge of Black Americans are enhanced.  In prepartion for the oratorical presentation, children learn the importance of research, practicing to speak in front of an audience, and how to be poised while speaking on stage.

Another activity held in February is a talent showcase.This activity allows the youth to present their talents and skills before community members, and it encourages their desire to be recognized for a talent. Participants in the oratorical competition and the Talent Show are judged by their peers.

The Gwen Cherry Park Foundation provides funding for supplies and prizes for each contest.

Please support the Gwen Cherry Park Foundation to help provide annual funding for this program.  Donations are currently being accepted.

Learning to resolve conflicts peacefully is unfortunately not a natural response when our children feel that they have been targeted unfairly. Living in an environment where healthy conflict resolution is not modeled consistently, leaves them without this skill set to take with them into their daily relationships.

Throwing a huge tantrum, getting really upset, and starting a fight is not the way to solve the problem. Conflict Resolution is taught, giving our children a skill to use in every area of life and for years to come.

Please support the Gwen Cherry Park Foundation to help provide annual funding for this program.  Donations are currently being accepted.

This event is an evening of bonding for children who participate in the Parks Summer Program. There are a host of activities, fun and lots of food.

Entrepreneurship means that an individual has taken the initiative to become his or her own boss. It is important for the adults of tomorrow to be aware of the advantages of entrepreneurship. As part of the cultural skills taught at the NFL YET Center, local business owners speak to the youth and participate in workshops to teach the necessary skills to become a successful business owner.

 

This program is designed to encourage business partnerships with successful entrepreneurs in order to assist youth in determining their path to business ownership.

 

The Gwen Cherry Park Foundation provides funding for corporations to facilitate the program, workshops, supplies and activities.

 

Please support the Gwen Cherry Park Foundation to help provide annual funding for this program. Donations are currently being accepted.

This program is held to recognize, honor and celebrate the children who graduate from our Program, and those who are promoted to the next grade level by passing the state mandated FCAT.

This is a day that is set aside to celebrate the life and legacy of Gwendolyn Sawyer Cherry for whom this park is proudly named. Children in the Afterschool Program are taught about the trailblazing achievements of this lawyer, leader and lady - who served as the first Black female legislator in the Florida House of Representatives.There are several structured programs for the youth, and a special emphasis is made to the girls that they too can be leaders in their community.

Information Coming Soon.

The NFL YET Center hosts an annual Spring Break Camp during the week Miami-Dade County Public Schools are on recess. The camp provides a safe, clean, and supervised environment for children to enjoy an array of activities while their parents are at work. Children are offered the opportunity to interact with new friends, learn new skills, play games, and enjoy being in a welcoming, nurturing environment.

 

Our goal is to provide scholarships to children who will benefit from this week-long break from school.

 

Please support the Gwen Cherry Park Foundation to help provide annual funding for this program. Donations are currently being accepted.

Each summer the NFL YET Center hosts a Summer Camp to allow children in the community to spend the summer enjoying a variety of field trips and fun activities. The camp enhances the mental, physical and academic growth of its participants. It provides opportunities to enjoy supervised outdoor activities in a safe environment. Children also experience tasks that encourage interaction with new friends, stimulates academic achievement, and allow for uninhibited fun. Additionally, they will experience activities that will promote social and cultural growth which assists in developing physical and mental wellness.  Your donation will provide scholarship opportunities for children to stay out of trouble in a supervised environment while their parents are working.

 

Please support the Gwen Cherry Park Foundation to help provide annual funding for this program. Donations are currently being accepted.

This is an event that allows children and their families to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, to break bread together in a spirit of community socialization, and to reflect on and express gratitude for the many blessings they enjoy.

The Annual Christmas Festival  and Toy Give-A-Way is a day long celebration filled with fun activities which include pony rides, bounce houses, face painting, outdoor games, and plenty of food, including cotton candy, snow cones and popcorn.

 

This holiday celebration is designed to reward the children for participating in the academic programming at the YET and to build self esteem.

 

The Christmas Festival is the most anticipated event of the year, providing fun, excitement, and gifts during the holiday season.

 

The day is topped off with every child visiting the Gwen Cherry Park Foundation’s toy room which is filled to the brim with a wide variety of toys categorized by age. Each child selects a toy of their choice.

 

Please support the Gwen Cherry Park Foundation to help provide annual funding for this program. Donations are currently being accepted.