In 1998, Urban Dove’s now Executive Director, Jai Nanda, was a coach and a teacher looking to extend his “coach’s influence” beyond the court and a single team of players. Noting the positive impact athletics had on his students both inside and outside the classroom, Mr. Nanda started programs that used sports, health, fitness, and nutrition as a hook to engage kids. This ultimately became a platform for teaching at-risk youth critical life skills to succeed. Now in its 15th year of operation, Urban Dove has a wide range of programs that serve hundreds of youth in dozens of schools and communities throughout New York City.

New in 2012, the Urban Dove Team Charter School launched to help the vulnerable, growing population of transfer students.  In New York City we have nearly 140,000 young people between the ages of 15-21 who have dropped out or are significantly off-track for graduation. They are disconnected youth and in need of creative solutions.  UD Team Charter School is the first-ever alternative high school for over-aged, under-credited youth in NYC.  Through a sports, health, and fitness curriculum, layered with a career and technical program, Urban Dove is expanding its reach to energize, educate, and empower youth.