Tuesday's event will feature Yankees players visiting the New York City Police Academy to meet with mentors and mentees participating in the NYPD's "Blue Chips" program

ABOUT HOPE WEEK HONOREE – BLUE CHIPS “Never underestimate the influence mentoring can have on someone’s life.” Those words from NYPD Lieutenant Michael Almonte encapsulate the mission of Blue Chips, a co-ed youth mentoring program he created that aims to bridge the gap between police officers and young people in New York City. The year-round program, which officially began in July of 2021, serves New York City youth between the ages of 12 and 17 and connects them with mentors in the NYPD to help put them on a path to success. Through various sports such as basketball, flag football and softball, as well as other activities like drama clubs and book clubs, officers are able to bond with the youth and build relationships with them on a personal level.

“This program is a tool that we use to humanize the badge, to show the community that officers are human beings,” said Officer Darnell Gatling, who helped Almonte create the Blue Chips program. “This is an opportunity for regular patrol officers to have time to do what they love and enjoy the fulfillment of giving back to the community.”

In addition to building meaningful relationships with the kids through sports and other activities, Blue Chips also offers mentoring sessions with guest speakers. These sessions cover important subjects such as financial literacy and entrepreneurship, equipping young people with skills that will help prepare them for the future. The program also serves as a safe haven from crime and other negative influences, giving children a place to go for support and a positive reinforcement.

“I get away from everybody. From the streets and all that bad stuff,” said 16-year-old Damien Maldonado, a participant in Blue Chips. “I come to practice and have fun with the coaches. It’s like a family bond. I look at [the officers] like they are my brothers and father in a way.”

Mentoring young people and positively impacting their lives is the primary focus and the foundation of Blue Chips, but the program may have just as much of an impact on the officers.

For Almonte, giving back to the community through the program has been a “dream come true,” and the bond the officers and kids create has a lasting impact on all lives involved.

Graduating senior Gabriel Jarvis (pictured on the previous page) of Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, is an example of how Blue Chips is changing the trajectory of local lives. He recently received 11 college acceptances and will be attending St. Peter’s University next fall with more than $100,000 in grants and scholarships.

“I was headed down the wrong path,” Jarvis said. “With the help of Lieutenant Mike and others, I was able to turn my life around … Underneath my braids, there’s a scholar who has been on the honor role for two consecutive years. I would like to express to you not to judge a book by it’s cover. My mentor was able to give me the direction I needed and lead me on to the right path. He gave me the blueprint, and I did what I was supposed to do, and I got here. I could have been on the road to Rikers Island but instead I’m on the road to college.”

MORE ABOUT HOPE WEEK (Please also visit hopeweek.com) At its core, HOPE Week is about people helping people. The one thing everybody has — no matter their background or financial situation — is time. By involving every one of our players and coaches, Manager Aaron Boone, General Manager Brian Cashman and front office staff during the celebration of HOPE Week, the Yankees send the message that everyone can give of themselves to make their community a better place.

Equally significant during HOPE Week is garnering publicity for highlighted causes and organizations. The greatest challenge facing many not-for-profits is generating interest, awareness and funding for their missions.

At the conclusion of every HOPE Week since 2010, the Yankees organization has been honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, given “in recognition and appreciation of commitment to strengthening the nation and for making a difference through volunteer service.” The awards are bestowed by Americorps, which empowers Americans from all backgrounds to answer the President’s Call to Service.