NIA Community Centers
NIA Beacon and Cornerstone Community Centers provide after-school programs, free classes, and events to Brooklyn residents. We offer a variety of activities for children and adults throughout the week—during afternoons, evenings, weekends, and school holidays, including summer break.
We are dedicated to fostering a welcoming environment that supports learning, personal growth, and connection across Brooklyn’s diverse communities.
Our Locations
NIA Carey Gardens Cornerstone
School Year Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Summer Hours (Effective 7/2/2025) :
Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 11:00 pm
Saturday 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Program Director, Leonard Campbell
Beacon at NIA/PS 247
School Year Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 2:45 pm - 10:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Summer Hours (Effective 7/2/2025) :
Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 11:00 pm
Program Director, Karissa Thomas
Beacon at NIA/PS 179
School Year Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 2:15 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Summer Hours (Effective 7/2/2025) :
Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 11:00 pm
Program Director, Nusrat Minaj
“I've been in NIA after school for 4 years. It gave me the opportunity to dance and act. I never did that before. I love it because I really enjoy expressing myself.”
— Past NIA Participant
About Our Centers
NIA Carey Gardens Cornerstone
NIA Carey Gardens Cornerstone offers a range of programs aimed at empowering youth, fostering community engagement, and celebrating diversity. We provide skill-building workshops, recreational activities, and supportive academic programs for youth, as well as programs for adults and seniors. Our offerings include basketball, music, dance, bingo, personal training, photography, fashion, and more. These programs provide opportunities to connect with others, explore new interests, and contribute to the community.
The community is invited to join and connect with others, explore new interests, and make a difference.
Beacon at NIA/PS 247
NIA/Beacon at PS 247 has been proudly serving the community since its inception in 2017, fostering a space where individuals of all ages can connect, grow, and thrive. The center offers a wide variety of free educational, recreational, and cultural activities designed to enrich the lives of participants of all ages. Programs include after-school enrichment, adult ESL evening classes, basketball clinic, weekend yoga sessions for adults, monthly paint nights, and much more.
At the heart of the program is a deep commitment to community and family engagement. This community center is dedicated to providing the resources, materials, and support needed to make a meaningful impact. The center actively listens to what the community wants, prioritizing their voices to guide the programs and services. The mission is to create a supportive environment where every participant feels valued and welcomed.
Beacon at NIA/PS 179
Beacon at NIA/PS 179 has long been a vibrant hub for the Kensington community, providing free and diverse programming and events for participants of all ages. From bookbag giveaways and workforce training to cultural celebrations and family movie nights, this Beacon Center offers a wide range of activities designed to bring people together and support their needs. In addition to these community-centered programs, they are also home to the Purple Dynasty and Scarlett Stars, dynamic dance teams that nurture creativity, teamwork, and self-expression.
Free Community Center Classes
2024-2025 School Year
To participate in our free classes, please enroll on the DYCD website.
NIA Carey Gardens Cornerstone
Saturday Night Lights (middle school & high school) — Saturday 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Beacon at NIA/PS 247
Yoga Class (adults) — Saturday 9:00 am
Zumba Class (adults) — Saturday 10:30 am
Basketball Clinic (middle & high school students) — Monday & Thursday 6 :30 pm - 7 :30 pm
Drop-in Tech Lab (all ages) — Monday - Friday 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Future Leader (middle & high school students) — Monday - Friday 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Cricut Art Design (all ages) — Thursday 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Gaming Club (middle/high school & young adults) — Wednesday 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm / Friday 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Beacon at NIA/PS 179
Arts and Crafts (Grades 3-5 families are welcome to participate with students) — Monday & Thursday 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Painting Class (Grade 3- high school) — Wednesday 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm & Saturday 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Tutoring (Grade 3 - high school) — Tuesday & Thursday 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm & Saturday 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Anime Film Club (Grade 3 - high school) — Friday 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm & Saturday 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Cricut Design Studio (Grades 4-5) (Monday & Thursday) — 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm / middle & high school 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Gaming Club (Grade 3 - middle school) — Saturday 10:00 am - 12:00pm
Adult ESL/Digital Literacy (in collaboration with 5th Ave Committee) — Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Adult Computer Class (in collaboration with 5th Ave Committee) — Thursday 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Flutura Effect: Climate Change Club (Age 14-24) (in collaboration with Service Learning NYC) — Tuesday 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Basketball Clinic (Grade 3 - high school) Thursday & Friday 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm / (elementary & middle school) Saturday 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Basketball Clinic (Youth) — Tuesday & Wednesday 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm / Saturday @ FDR High School 5800 20th Ave, Brooklyn,NY 11204 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
SNL (Saturday Night Lights) — Saturday 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Purple Dynasty (Dance) (middle school, high school, young adults) — FDR High School 5800 20th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11204) Saturday 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Scarlet Stars (Dance) (Grades 3-5) — Monday & Wednesday 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Arabic Language Class (Families) — Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Soccer for Success: (Grades 3-middle school) — Monday - Wednesday 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
NIA is committed to providing high-quality services to our community.
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Impact the lives of over 30,000 children, seniors, and families in NYC that depend on NIA’s vital after school programs and community support services.
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