Manhattan Multicultural Summer Youth Program

Specialties

Manhattan Multicultural Summer Youth Program (MMSY) brings together youths of different cultures, ethnicities, and faiths from around New York City area to provide an opportunity to engage with one another and create an environment where they can share, respect, and value cultural differences.

Through exposure to people of a diverse range of backgrounds, youths in the New York City area will gain a greater awareness, appreciation and understanding of one another’s differences and similarities. The MMSY program has proven to be beneficial in reducing racial, religious and intercultural tension.

History

Established in 2007.

In the summer of 2007, Manhattan Multicultural Summer Youth Program was launched as an education program for all youth, ages 13 to 18 who live in the five boroughs of NYC. Over the past seven years, we have created a safe and supportive environment that encourages interfaith dialogue amongst the youth. The results have been far beyond my expectations. The students have learned to respect and enjoy each other’s experiences. They have developed more self confidence and have become more motivated to eliminate cultural boundaries. Their prospects for the future have grown exponentially.

Meet the Business Owner

Mahroo M.

Business Owner

Director of Youth Programs

We live in an ever-​expanding diverse culture, ethnically and racially, yet we are still facing the most difficult challenges of «tolerance and diversity» in America. As a Psychotherapist, counselor, social worker, and after teaching in the New York City public and private school systems, I have come to realize that most teens have never had the opportunity for interfaith or intercultural dialogue in a safe and nourishing setting while growing up in America.

I strongly believe that there exists a need for educational programs in the New York City area that will teach our children how to interact and coexist with each other. With the cultural diversity prevalent in New York City, I have witnessed first hand the stereotypical differences and misunderstandings that continue to plague our students and contribute to their fears. I made up my mind to develop a structural program designed to foster tolerance, allay fears, and promote hope.