Every other Saturday, three-dozen girls pile into the lunchroom at P.S. 198/P.S. 77 at 96th street and Third Avenue - also known as the Stanley M. Isaacs Beacon Center - for a two hour Girl Scout meeting. There they will learn about physical fitness, cooking, the arts and more while they earn new patches and make friends. Shortly after they leave, a group of families from the neighborhood walks in and parks at a corner table for a class in the space afterwards. Right before the girl scouts came in, a step team was tightening up their latest routine, clapping together in unison as they stomped into formation at the command of a drill captain.

This is only a sample of the average traffic pattern at the Beacon, and interestingly enough, Saturday’s are the slowest day of the week there. The Beacon is a branch of the Stanley M. Isaacs center located on First Avenue at 93rd street. Founded in 1964, the original Stanley M. Isaacs Center is best known as the largest Meals on Wheels provider on the Upper East Side and for its senior programs. The Beacon, however, is the perfect example of the center’s diverse offerings for kids, young adults and families.

“We help everyone from 5 year-olds in our after school and development programs to senior citizens who take part in our free community classes,” said Camille Young, Volunteer Program Supervisor at the Beacon.

Young would know, she sees hundreds of people passing through the center each day and helps to coordinate the dozens of volunteers that help to keep programs low cost and community oriented. The Beacon works with volunteers from the New York Junior League, New York Cares and Mentoring USA. Individual volunteers are also accepted from the community.

Educational & Developmental Programming

During the day, P.S.198/P.S.77 serves as a New York City Public School, so the Beacon helps to extend the education process for youth in the community by offering after school, evening and weekend programs that make the average curriculum engaging and fun for all kinds of students.

To help get kids at a young age excited about reading and writing, the Beacon offers the Super Saturday program for 6-12 year olds, Saturdays from 10am – Noon. Young participants work with teen peer tutors and a certified public school teacher on individual and group reading and creative writing projects.

For those looking towards college or a career after graduation, the Beacon offers SAT Prep and College Career Prep programs. Through the College Career Prep (CCP) program, young adults ages 14-17 can explore the skills needed to apply for college and jobs, such as essay writing, resume and portfolio development and interview skills. Students in the program can also get help to apply for financial assistance.

Recreational Programming

After all of the work is done, the Beacon offers kids and families lots of chances to unwind and get active. Many of the programs available cater to families spending free time together, so classes are tailored to be fun for both young children and adults.

The Thursday evening Yoga class and the Martial Arts classes on Mondays and Fridays are two of the most popular programs for parents and kids to take together. All of the programs are free to participants, saving families hundreds of dollars in registration fees.

“I don’t even know where else in the city where you can find a free yoga class for the entire family,” said Young, who herself has been known to slip into a class for an occasional stretch.

While the free price tag does come with some sacrifice in state-of-the-art facilities, the professional instructors use their imagination to create adequate training space. According to Young, only at the Beacon can you see a school cafeteria transformed into a quiet yoga sanctuary, with complimentary mats, incense and dimmed lighting for a calming effect.

Latin, Belly and African Dance classes take place throughout the week at the Beacon, offering movement methods from around the world and an exercise routine that beats treading the treadmill at New York Sports Club. For those more into toning their abs without the workout, there is a also an Improv Comedy group for those interested in honing their comedy and acting skills, or just looking to have fun and be entertained.

The Beacon offers a great opportunity to residents on the Upper East Side who want to meet others and enrich their experience in the neighborhood. Best of all, the free classes help to save money for more important things, like the post-yoga latte and cookie, or a snazzy new outfit to wear out Salsa dancing when you show off your new dance moves.