09/07/2026
are helping shape the future of their community spaces.
This summer, middle school students from five New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments participated in the NYCHA STEAM Innovators program, working with STEAM educators and professional designers to develop plans for new multi-use spaces at their local community centers.
Youth from Eastchester Gardens, Roosevelt II, West Brighton, Manhattanville, and Ravenswood Houses created vision boards, prototype sketches, 3D models, technical floor plans, and conducted community interviews to understand what their neighbors need.
On August 13, NYCHA CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt joined the students at West Brighton Houses in Staten Island as they presented their design plans to community stakeholders. She said, “It’s really clear from what we saw and heard this morning that you’ve been working hard, collaborating with great mentors, and have put a lot of thought, passion, and enthusiasm into your creative efforts.”
This fall, the students’ visions will begin coming to life with support from NYCHA, the Salvadori Center, the Public Housing Community Fund, and other partners.
Full story: https://on.nyc.gov/4zqkDdC