Many organizations help communities develop their skills and abilities. The Point in the South Bronx helps bring out these skills for people in need. Mildred Ruiz, Steven Sapp, Maria Torres, and Paul Lipson, four people who have been dedicated to community affairs throughout their lives, formed The Point.

The Point is a place where people can openly share their abilities and knowledge. It offers diverse programs such as photography, ballet, African dance, martial arts, yoga, graphic design, aerobics, and hip-hop. Most of these programs are free or can be taken for a minimal fee. That’s not all – the center also provides after-school programs where children can take art classes and receive tutoring for their homework. In addition, one of the most important media, the radio station, is also available at The Point. Now people living near the center can listen to what is happening in their community.

The South Bronx location was chosen because throughout the years the founders had developed relationships with the people in that area. “The organization is based on arts and youth development,” says Hector Luis Rivera, an environmental justice organizer at the center. Mr. Rivera, who started tutoring when he was only twelve years old, explains that the organization didn’t always own the building it uses to execute its events. “We worked hard to develop a business plan to take over this building and we did it,” he says.

Some of the programs that The Point prides itself on are its art programs. In classes like Film and Video, students can use their artistic views to make their videos and win awards. In 1998, the three-day South Bronx Film and Video Festival rewarded kids for their film achievements. The film and video programs may even be the stepping-stones for future independent filmmakers. The Point also offers free graphic design classes and acting classes and holds its own annual theater festivals.

The Point is not limited to only the programs it offers itself. “It’s really about connecting people,” Rivera explains. “There is a guy who wanted to play sax and I know a sax player so I connected them.” One thing The Point is good at is connecting people to different forms of art. This can be seen in their mural and graffiti art that surely inspires people who would have never seen graffiti as art or even something positive. The Point has considered expanding its programs with help from corporate sponsors such as Bell Atlantic and Globix Corporation.