Generation X-Cel

WELCOME
to Generation X-cel, a holistic youth outreach program based in the housing projects of Manhattan's Lower East Side.

Founded in 1996 by 13 local teens and staffed primarily by volunteers, X-cel now serves hundreds of children a year through after school education, summer programs, and community outreach efforts. For more about us, go here.

HISTORY
Champions breed excellence. They are born of adversity. The story of Generation X-cel is the story of young champions from the projects who have experienced victory without leaving the ‘hood. Born into poverty and written off their entire lives, they demonstrate how supposedly powerless people can overcome. For more history, go here.

THE BUZZ
"Generation X-cel is one of the finest programs helping inner city students...."

X-cel's "by youth for youth" strategy has been featured on local and national media and been praised by public officials as varied as Rep. Nydia Velazquez and Mayor Giuliani. For more Buzz, go here.

MATCH ANONYMOUS GIFT
In March 2001, two anonymous donors pledged $40,000 to support Generation X-cel. To help match their gift and pledge your support online, go here. Generation X-cel is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; all contributions are tax deductible.

A SUMMER DIARY - NEW
Read biweekly diary entries from intern Tristan Brooks, chronicling the X-cel Summer Day Camp, here.

A DAY IN THE LIFE - NEW
Read one intern's comical take on X-cel After School. "3:00. Walk in through the maroon doors on 11th St. And Avenue D. Another wonderful day at school - remind yourself to not take it out on the kids. After being greeted by cheerful hellos and smiling faces, decide it won't be so hard." For the full story, go here.

A PLEA FOR A FRIEND - NEW
Generation X-cel grew out of the holistic vision of a community church, Abounding Grace Ministries. X-cel wishes to show its gratitude by introducing that church to you. For more information, go here.

X-CEL NEWS (Updated 7/28/01)

·	New York Times acknowledges Rev. Richard Del Rio. In an article concerning New Yotk mayoral candidate Fernando Ferrer, the New York Times called X-cel co-founder Rev. Richard Del Rio "eclectic-looking" and described him as "a pastor from the Lower East Side who wore a black leather vest, black jeans and gold hoop earrings." Fair enough. For the full story, go here. NEW

·	X-cel After School celebrates its best year ever. X-cel After School ended the '00-'01 academic year at closing ceremonies on June 27. The X-cel Dancers performed, awards were distributed, and many tears were shed. Read more about the closing ceremonies and kid reactions, here. NEW

·	*X-cel co-founder Jeremy Del Rio publishes article in The Love Express.* The article offers Jeremy's thoughts about "faith-based" youth outreach strategies, and tells the story of how he first met co-founders Rollie Barnes and Luis Velez. To read the article, go here. NEW

·	The summer staff is here! Six students began their summer internships with Generation X-cel on June 20. Their experience will include a week and a half of intensive training in anticipation of the summer day camp that they will staff from July 5 - August 24. They will be joined by four additional interns through the Summer Youth Employment Program of the City of New York on July 2. To learn more about X-cel's summer staff, go here (NEW); to sponsor their efforts this summer, pledge support here.

·	Cornell graduate joins staff. Former X-cel intern (summer 2000) Dorothy Rivera returned to Generation X-cel on June 10 after graduating from Cornell University with a degree in educational psychology. Dorothy will work as X-cel's associate director of education for a year before medical school.

·	X-cel director presents domestic violence workshop to NY Giants. On May 30, 2001, X-cel Board member Wendell Moore coordinated a seminar as part of the NY Giants' rookie orientation aimed at educating them through a series of dramas and role playing exercises on issues such as domestic violence, drugs, and peer pressure. The presentation was well received, with player personnel representative, and former Giants fullback, Charles Way calling it "the beginning of something new" in the area of player development. For pictures, click here.

·	X-cel partners with local church to develop "faith-based" youth center. Beginning June 7, 2001, Generation X-cel will operate a second youth center in lower Manhattan in partnership with Abounding Grace Ministries, a church located in an historic East Village building at 9 East 7th Street. The building's fourth floor will be converted into a fully functional teen center, complete with an auditorium, lounge, and game room. The partnership represents a unique opportunity for X-cel to adapt its "by youth for youth" outreach model to a faith-based context. For more information and pictures, click here.

·	X-cel co-founder invited to represent hispanic clergy at White House. On May 22, 2001, Rev. Richard Del Rio joined 130 hispanic clergy who met with President George Bush concerning the President's faith-based and community initiative. For more on the white house gathering, read the report of our dear friend and colleague, Rudy Carrasco, here.

·	For more news items, see NEWS ARCHIVE

Spotlight: X-cel Interns.
"One of the greatest experiences in my life was being involved in a program that empowered young children to look beyond their circumstances of living in neighborhoods full of drugs, crime and violence and encourage them to reach for their dreams. Working at Generation X-Cel this past summer was an experience I’ll never forget.I was helping to keep kids off the street and engaged in activities that would benefit their future." Read the entire story here.

— By Ayana, high school junior

Speak-out: Generation X-cel
Reprinted with permission from YouthWalk, 10/99

Ties and Stockings:
Reflections on Marriage

Hiding in my bed under the covers, with only my eyes exposed, I saw him pass by my room with a kitchen knife in his hand and heard his violent death threats. Yet another alcohol and drug-induced rage had come to torment our home.

"STOP IT DADDY," I kept repeating to myself silently under my breath. [Read Luis'entire testimonial.]

— By Luis Velez, X-cel co-founder

Marriage is such an iffy thing. My mom hasn't bothered to get married once; men annoy her. My Tio Jimmy divorced his wife, staying with her only because they had a kid together. My dad didn't bother to marry my mom and is now married to a kind and beautiful woman named Mimi; too bad he doesn't appreciate her. Some people see it as a burden. ...

And yet I think marriage and the small motions that go along with it are such beautiful things; maybe I think so because it is so rare around me. [Read the rest of the story.]

— By Tristan Brooks, X-cel intern

ANNUAL REPORT	OUR PLEDGE	CONGRATS!
Y2K brought unprecedented growth to Generation X-cel. We served hundreds of children, hired our first paid employees, co-produced Jammin' Against the Darkness, launched www.generationxcel.com, and secured two foundation seed grants. For these highlights and much more, check out our Annual Report. [MORE]	We at Generation X-cel believe that the way we manage our finances reflects our integrity in every arena. We believe that we exist in the public trust and must operate in order to earn and maintain that trust. We have, therefore, established strict limitations on how we use our resources. [MORE]	Generation X-cel cofounders Rev. Richard and Jeremy Del Rio received the 2000 Union Square Award on November 16 for their grassroots contributions to New York City. They are the first father/son tandem so honored. The award brought a $46,000 organizational grant for Generation X-cel. [Union Square Awards]