When Paul Savramis first introduced Positive Alternatives for Youth to New York's Community board 7 (P.A.Y 7) back in the late 1970s, he had a singular goal: to improve the lives of student athletes and build better community programs for youth. Today, he continues that dream with the Rising Stars Youth Foundation and his vision of programs for youth has grown its reach further than Savramis ever imaged. Here, Savramis discusses the non-profit’s latest initiative and how collaborations with like-minded foundations in the community like the YMCAs of Long Island have helped the Rising Stars mission.
Q: When did Rising Stars first establish a partnership with the Greater South Bay YMCA?
Paul Savramis: Back in October 2016. After numerous meetings with community leaders for the need of additional after school programs for youth and in collaboration with the Great South Bay YMCA, we launched our initial program in the area with 20 boys from the Greater South Bay Long Island areas of Brentwood, Bayshore, Amityville, and Islip.