It’s been so important for Shelton Haynes to make sure that everything he does makes a difference for the community. He wants to give back and has the means to do so; much of what he has accomplished is not only great, but serves as an example for others to follow in his footsteps. His time as CEO of Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation is certainly a good example, especially in his recent efforts to make sure there’s an after-school program for youths on the island who need it.

The Roosevelt Island Youth Center (RIYC) is the result of a pilot program started by Haynes in partnership with New York City. The center opened in 2019 with the purpose of providing a safe haven for children who are unable to stay with their parents or guardians during the after-school hours.

The center not only gives these youths a place where they can feel at home and be safe, but also offers educational opportunities and an after-school STEM program led by professionals to keep them engaged and out of trouble.

In addition, the youth center was recently licensed as a New York State School Age Child Care (SACC) center after it met the standards laid out by the Department of Health and the Fire department. What this means is that educators and staff will now be able to provide the same kind of services that they would at a regular school, such as busing children to activities outside the center.

Shelton Haynes has truly gone above and beyond to ensure that youths on the island have an outlet where they can develop their talents and interact with peers. Although the center is a relatively new entity, it has quickly become a staple of Roosevelt Island.

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, led by Shelton Haynes, certainly is keeping up with its mandate to deliver the best to its residents.