OUR YOUTH, OUR FUTURE!!

Edwin Suarez Castro was born in Humaco Puerto Rico in 1948. His father Ramon and mother Carmen Castro Suarez came to El Barrio (Spanish Harlem) in the early 1950's to seek the American Dream for their family.  At that time, NYC Welfare Program was giving free "monies" to help out newly Puerto Rican migrants who couldn't afford to speak English or had no jobs.  His father, Ramon, turned down the "handouts" from the city and instead went into business for himself as a grocery store owner "bodegero"at 116th Street, Third Avenue in Spanish Harlem. His next downstairs neighbor and customer was Herman Badillo, first Puerto Rican Congressman of the Bronx. His law office was next to Roman's grocery store at 116th st.   The Suarez family lived above the store and were witness to the first Puerto Rican parade started at 116th St. Third Ave.

       

Mr. Suarez graduated from St. Paul's Elementary Catholic School and in 1970 he graduated from St. John's University with a B.A. in Political Science.  While teaching at P.S. 161 he got 30 graduate credits in Elementary Education from City College of New York to meet the license requirement of the Board of Education. 

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At P.S. 161, Mr. Suarez created and implemented new concept in teaching English as a Second Language to newly incoming students coming from the Dominican Republic. He was also a special assistant to School Board Five. In the Bronx he was a teacher at P.S. 9 in (79)and CS 211.  Mr. Suarez left teaching to become a successful businessman in the Bronx.. He owned a grocery store, liquor store, and a laundromat. Presently he is the owner and president of two real estate corporations founder and president of his own nonprofit corporation NY Youth Center.

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Immediate and present goals of NY Youth Center

• To Provide a store front with offices where students and parents can join as members.

• To provide an area for visiting classes from neighboring schools for the purpose of teaching

• To provide an area for cooking to feed after school student members.

• To create an area where students are evaluated and tested.

• To create a newspaper by and for students in the age group serviced.

• To provide an area where invited guest from the political,educational, arts, and sports world can come and meet students.

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His ultimate personal goals are: 

• To create a modern multi-service after school activity center in schools in the Bronx and ultimately in the City for youth between 13-18 years of age. To research and focus on the needs of these youth.

• To have these youth voice their problems and needs in their community.

• To provide  a safe nurturing environment where these youth 13-18 yr old can visit to seek help, guidance, and support.

• To prepare these youth with certain skills, knowledge, and guidance so that they are better prepare to become good citizens. 

• To have files on each student member so that each member can get personal attention to meet their needs.

• To create a center that can serve as a liaison between students and parents, students and schools, and students and their community.

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