Beloved Crotona Park youth clubhouse transformed into community center

The former youth center was bought by Commonpoint last year.

Karina Gerry

Feb 27, 2025, 3:19 AM

Updated 2 hr ago

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Commonpoint, a city-based social services organization, has taken over the Boys & Girls Club in Crotona that closed last year. Beginning Thursday, neighbors of all ages will be welcome inside the Commonpoint Bronx Center, a community center located on Hoe Avenue. The former youth center, run by the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club, was bought by Commonpoint last year. "In this part of the Bronx, there's such a need to bring community together," said Craig Lastres, chief operating officer at Commonpoint. The nearly 37,000-square-foot building will offer ESL, GED education, as well as swimming and fitness lessons for people of all ages. "You'll see classrooms totally redone. A brand new pool that was leaking and totally fixed, a gymnasium that hasn't really been used," said Lastres. The center will continue to provide dance and music lessons, just as the Boys & Girls Club did before them