Supporting The Entire Community
The 14th Street Y values providing accessible, supportive, and joyful spaces for all members of our community.
We strive to meet people where they are, from neurotypical folks to neuroatypical folks and those who identify as having cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.
Interested in programs for neurodiverse children and teens? Please contact Sylvia Acuna, Social Work and Inclusion Manager, at SAcuna@14streety.org.
KOL Values
Community
As the parent of a neurodiverse child, you seek community – for your child and for yourself. We proudly offer a range of programming for neurodiverse young people and their families.
For your child, we offer a variety of engaging classes where they can socialize and gain new skills. For parents and caregivers during KOL, we offer the opportunity to connect with other families as well as take advantage of many of the 14Y’s other offerings, including the fitness center, open gym, and our heated indoor pool.
Inclusion
Inclusion is at the heart of the KOL Program. The 14Y welcomes neighbors of all ages and we offer opportunities for neurodiverse young people to grow alongside their peers.
In addition to our weekend programs, we are proud to welcome neurodiverse young people in our 14Y After School program and to spend the summer in the country. New Country Day Camp, the 14Y’s summer camp at the Henry Kaufman Campgrounds, welcomes all children.
Socialization
Our full-time Social Work and Inclusion Manager, Syliva Acuna, is available to support your child and all of our classes are designed with a social aspect in mind.
The KOL program offers classes that focus on mind and body. From music and art to martial arts and movement, our classes will help your child improve both their coordination and their collaboration skills. Whatever class your child participates in, they will make new friends and gain confidence in themselves!
Partner Programs
Chickenshed NYC
Chickenshed NYC is an inclusive theatre company for children and young people, whose mission is to create entertaining and outstanding theatre by fostering inclusion and integration that inspires positive change.
Chickenshed’s model of Inclusive Theatre is based in the belief that everyone can flourish when everyone is included and its members represent the mosaic of cultures, ethnicities, disabilities and identities that make up our world.
Core programs include: Adventures from The Shed, immersive live performances for preschoolers and their families and Chickenshed Players (CP), no-audition theatrical workshops for kids and teens where the participants are led by professional theatre practitioners to create and devise the productions they perform.
Fall Semester: September 17 – December 20
Saturdays | 11:00 – 11:45 AM
Tuesdays | 4:00 – 4:45 PM
CP 1 | Ages 5 – 7
Children dive into all aspects of theatre making through playful games and activities that fuel their imagination and help them explore the magical world of performance. Under the guidance and support of professional Theatrical Practitioners young Players have fun with games, singing, dancing, puppetry, storytelling, and basic American Sign Language in these dynamic workshops.
The children will only perform in front of their families and carers, allowing them time to prepare for a wider audience when they move up to the next level.
Saturdays | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Tuesday | 4:50 PM – 6:00 PM
CP 2: Ages 7-10
Working in small groups children can regularly showcase their theatrical activities in front of each other without having to wait for an end of term performance. This in turn builds their confidence so that they are ready to perform to a wider audience at show time.
In addition, we invite, at least once or twice per semester, guest scientists to workshop with the Players on themes related to the upcoming show which inspires and fuels the children to add their creativity and ideas as part of the rehearsal process.
Saturdays
CP 3: Ages 10-13 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
CP 4: Ages 13-17+ | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Our no audition policy coupled with the belief that all kids have a great or needed story to tell is delivered via the program using our inclusive methodology that encourages everyone to add their thoughts, ideas and creativity to the stories being told.
Older Players begin to have the opportunity to act as group leaders and mentors as well as continuing to create and devise theatre within their own program, layering on and deepening our theatrical community.
This fall kids will be rehearsing for a new musical, Ever After, based on some of Grimms’ famous fairytales set against the beautiful backdrop of Central Park. Unlike other theatre companies, our high Theatre Practitioner to Player ratio allows us to facilitate small groups, establishing foundations for strong relationships within our theatrical community. In this setting, children can regularly showcase their theatrical activities in front of each other without having to wait for the end of term performance.
Chickenshed Registration
Classes are rolling admission and prorated.
14Y Members receive a 14% discount on class registration with coupon code 14Y.
Anyone signing up with a friend can bring them for FREE or split the one program fee between them. Anyone can sign up with a sibling for one program fee too.
Adventures from The Shed
Immersive, Inclusive Performances for Children Ages 2-5
Puppetry, music, movement, storytelling–and a bit of theatre magic! Preschoolers and their families love Adventures from The Shed, our immersive and inclusive performances. Our talented teaching artists will lead you through an adventure with familiar characters like Blurg!, Lion Down, and Mary Jo, to name a few–and new friends as well. You’ll even learn a bit of American Sign Language!
Check-in begins at 9:45 AM, and the doors open at 10:00; we encourage you to arrive early to get your family registered and settled. Run time is approximately 30 minutes.
Safety first! Our team members have all been vaccinated against COVID-19, and anyone over the age of 5 must provide proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test. We have created a show that makes family safety a priority, so that everyone can have fun!
Please note that your family will be on a door-list for check-in; physical tickets are not necessary. A reminder and joining instructions will be emailed to you the evening before the show.
All tickets are just $7.50 each for the first two tickets and $5 for any additional children or adults!