Otary

Outreach to At Risk Youth (OTARY) 

The Outreach to At-Risk Youth (OTARY) program is a free, structured after-school (five days a week) and summer program that has been serving Paterson youth since January 2008. OTARY is based at the Father English Community Center. The level of service for the program is 75 enrolled youths for the year.

OTARY is designed to give at-risk youth in Paterson ages eleven (11) to (18) an alternative to the negative influences that surround them. OTARY helps young people navigate adolescence, succeed in school, and build pathways to employment or higher education while promoting healthy, substance-free lifestyles. Activities include athletics, performing arts, academic support, life-skills training, counseling, guest speakers, and weekly social-emotional skill building. 

Robotics at OTARY 

The OTARY Robotics Program introduces students to designing, building, and programming robots by teaching them to operate, test, and refine their creations through hands-on, collaborative projects. They learn perseverance, teamwork, and creative thinking—skills that carry into academics and life. A permanent robotics lab with a full competition-style field will give students a truly authentic practice environment. Currently, our temporary setup consists of a few tiles on the floor (first photo). In contrast, the Don Bosco Academy lab (second photo) features a regulation field with boundaries, floor markings, and obstacles for robots to navigate. The difference is night and day.  

Contact the OTARY Program 

435 Main Street
Paterson, NJ 07501
Phone: (973) 279-7100 Ext.2100 

Contact the OTARY Program
Youth Program Director:
Delia Y. Rosario, MSW, LSW
Email:[email protected]