Department Of Youth And Community Development

NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) is committed to poverty reduction and enabling New Yorkers to reach their full potential. This reflection acknowledges that institutional racism and discrimination contribute significantly to poverty in New York City and cause disparities in the city's neighborhoods. By recognizing the potential impact of policies and practices of systems and institutions, we acknowledge the potential role of NYC government agencies, such as DYCD, in perpetuating structural inequality. This assessment is meant to help us achieve our primary objective of ensuring equitable execution of administrative and programmatic duties and the allocation of financial resources.   To comprehend the intrinsic and systemic nature of racism, anti-Blackness, and discrimination, we must examine them in the context of DYCD's past and present operations. We envision a future where we address the systemic causes and effects of poverty in New York City and build a city that works for everyone, which will be impossible unless we achieve that goal. We understand that the journey to becoming an anti-racist city agency is long and difficult, and the path ahead will not always be clear. As a learning organization, DYCD takes responsibility for its adherence to the Guiding Principles and will acknowledge its failures by correcting them.