As executive director of CYO Long Island, Carol Sciotto stresses “keeping the C in CYO.”

Catholic Youth Organization emphasizes its Catholic identity in many ways. Parish CYO coordinators commit to two activities each season, from organizing CYO Masses to conducting food drives and helping to weed parish gardens. Before each game, CYO Long Island teams join together for a prayer, which the home team is responsible for leading.

“It sets the tone for what you are about to do,” says Sciotto, who started as a CYO player and served as travel program coordinator at St. Bernard’s in Levittown before being named CYO executive director three years ago. 

More than 19,000 youths from 72 Catholic parishes in Nassau and Suffolk participate in CYO sports and other activities, including chess, arts and girls’ STEAM programs available at Catholic high schools.

Shortly after taking over, Sciotto established the CYO Outreach Club, an initiative encouraging more than 200 students to give back to their communities. They can earn community service hours in conjunction with the reception of the sacrament of confirmation or National Honor Society membership.

Catholic Charities of Long Island is an enthusiastic partner with CYO Long Island in the growing efforts. “It is a fantastic collaboration,” Sciotto explains. “Being able to offer children an opportunity to receive community service is a win-win.”

Sciotto works with Patricia Callahan, the coordinator of volunteers at CCLI, who presents many opportunities to assist CCLI programs. “Carol and her staff are so hospitable and generous in serving Catholic Charities,” Callahan said. “They are always so excited, helpful and happy.”

CYO coaches and coordinators contributed all funding for food and a DJ at the Valentine’s Dance at Dominican Village in Amityville for residents of Catholic Charities residences for the developmentally disabled. The 10-member CYO staff is collecting donations to purchase Mother’s Day plants for Meals-on-Wheels recipients and flowers to be planted at Talbot House, a residential addiction stabilization center, and Bustamante Residence for the developmentally disabled. CYO also purchased Bluetooth speakers from CCLI’s Amazon Wish List for our three senior community service centers as well as “tons of diapers and wipes” for young families, Sciotto said.

CYO athletes personally craft beautiful cards featuring their own artwork and writing to share with seniors for Mother’s Day, Easter, Valentine’s Day and other holidays. “Some of the effort has gone well beyond what you would expect,” Callahan said.

Sciotto said, “We’re trying to get everyone involved. It’s ministries helping ministries.”