Asherall on intergenerational storytelling and Step It Up programs
Asherall highlights the 'My New York Story' intergenerational program pairing Cornerstone sites with older adult centers, and the Step It Up NYC youth dance and social impact initiative, which held its 2026 championship at the United Palace.
My New York Story is an intergenerational storytelling initiative developed in partnership with the New York City Department of Aging that brings together older adults and young people to build meaningful
relationships through shared experiences, dialogue, and creative expression.
Over the course of a six-week program, participants engaged in guided storytelling workshops that encouraged them to explore themes of identity, resilience, community, and belonging while learning from one another's lived experiences.
The program culminated in a citywide celebration where young people and older adults showcased their stories and reflected on the connections they formed across generations.
In 2026, the program paired four DYCD cornerstone sites with neighboring older adult centers, including Eastchester Community Center, Cypress Hills,
Pink Community Center, and Grand Street Settlement Roosevelt Community Center.
Through weekly workshops, participants strengthened intergenerational understanding, developed communication and leadership, and created a shared space where personal histories could be preserved and celebrated.
The culminating event highlighted the power of these connections and demonstrated how intergenerational programming can foster empathy, civic engagement, and foster communities across New York City.
Step it up.
Our annual Step It Up program was a huge success.
Step It Up NYC is the Y City's premier youth programming arts and social impact initiative, empowering young people to use dance,
storytelling, and creative expression as tools for advocacy and community change.
More than...
More than a competition, Step It Up NYC challenges youth teams to develop original performances and accompany social impact campaigns that address issues affecting their communities.
On June 4th, 2026, 10 finalist teams
representing the YCD-funded Beacon, Cornerstone, and Compass programs across New York City took stage at the historic United Palace before a crowd of 1,100 attendees to raise awareness about critical topics including
teen violence,
domestic violence, incarceration, peer pressure, discrimination, and cyberbullying.
Through months of preparation, participants strengthened leadership, teamwork, public speaking, and civic engagement skills while amplifying youth voices on issues that matter most to them.
The 2026 Step It Up Championship was awarded to two Beacon and two Cornerstone Community Centers.