376 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, P.O. Box 316, Bridgehampton, NY 11932

631-537-8250

Get to Know: SYA’s Andrea Dozier Nartey

The East End Fund for Children—established to increase capacity and cooperation between a group of seven local non-profits—is proud to call the Southampton Youth Association a member. For more than fifty years, this organization has created safe, fun, and healthy spaces where kids can be kids and develop strong character and leadership skills. We recently spoke to S.Y.A.’s Executive Director, Andrea Dozier Nartey, about the organization’s history, how the pandemic continues to impact the audience they serve, and the need to get back to “do[ing] what they do best.”

Can you tell us a little bit about the Southampton Youth Association and your role there?

The Southampton Youth Association, affectionately referred to as S.Y.A., is a nonprofit organization that provides recreational services to local youth, during out of school time. It was established 52 years ago, in direct response to the negative impact that drugs was having on the youth of Southampton. Since then, we have continued to create safe, fun, and healthy spaces where kids can be kids and develop strong character and leadership skills.  It has also been our effort to create employment opportunities and be an advocate for young people.

How has COVID impacted SYA’s role in the community? How have you had to change over the last year?

 COVID has been a hindrance to our programming in many ways. We put health first, so we did have to stop offering programming at different times.  Although we offered some virtual options, they did not replicate the type of relationship building that is really valued through our programming. Parents also seek our programs for fun, recreational child care…and we weren’t able to provide that in the same way as we had in the past. For example, we usually run a 5-6 week Summer Recreation Program for about 200 local children and last summer, we were only able to accommodate 20. Part of this is also because we rely on the schools for space. Due to COVID, they didn’t allow outside organizations to utilize any of the space, so we had to get creative about where to have programming and those spaces weren’t as big or had other limitations that schools don’t.

What long term impact do you think the pandemic will have upon the audience you serve?

I think that a lot of our families are still supporting their children with understanding our new normal. It’s hard to tell, long term, how this stress, anxiety or fear that’s been present will impact the kids. This is why it’s so important we get back to doing the work that we do best. Children need outlets, kid spaces, opportunities to express themselves and be creative and active. I think that some kids are really struggling to understanding everything and are generally frustrated or angry about how their lives have shifted. Parents are also struggling to manage work and childcare at home…we are seeing this with the high demand for our summer program this year. Parents NEED options that they can afford.  

How do envision the East End Fund for Children benefiting families living and working on the East End?

This fund has the potential to make programs, childcare, and other essentials available to families that are struggling right now.  The fact is that all families and children deserve access to fun recreation, role models, fresh fruit and vegetables, child care, after school support and the list goes on. The pandemic has increased the gap between the privileged and not so privileged – and having fun and safe spaces for kids shouldn’t be a privilege, it’s something all kids deserve and need. 

What’s your favorite bit of good news that has come out the last year?

The guilty verdict in the George Floyd trial is definitely news to celebrate this year. In a world full of contradictions, it was an opportunity for our children to learn that justice can be served.  

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