A Far Rockaway community center closing leaves kids out in the cold, with no safe space to go after school. NY1's Clodagh McGowan filed the following report.
For the many children who call the Redfern Houses home, this community center has been a safe haven during after school hours.
"I like coming here because it's fun and you get to go on safe and good trips," said one child.
"They help me out with my homework when I don't get stuff," added another child.
But last Friday, the center suddenly shut its doors without warning. The Police Athletic League, which runs the after-school programming, posted a notice on Monday stating services are suspended immediately.
Parents say they received no prior notice, leaving them scrambling to find an alternative plan.
"I was at work and I got a phone call to come right away because all five of my kids was left outside and there was no questions to be asking, like why is the center closed," said Janet Ihim, who lives in the Redfern Houses.
Parents say a nearby community center has open space for the children while their center is closed. But they say it's too far for the kids to walk by themselves and no transportation has been provided at this time.
"They live here, come out of here, they should be able to go home from here," said Vernell Britt, a Redfern advisory board member.
Residents are also concerned that sending teenagers from this community center to other locations could ignite gang violence.
"You don't want to hear about somebody's child is laying out there dead just because our center is not open to them," said Britt.
A spokesperson with the city's Department of Youth and Community Development said the agency learned of the PAL's decision to end programming on Tuesday and the DYCD is working to identify a new provider as quickly as possible. The agency confirms services have been extended at the nearby Beacon Community Center and there are plans to meet with the resident council to ensure service is not interrupted during this transition.
Meantime, these kids will have to keep playing outside until the center doors are open once again.