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Elevate Mount Vernon Opens with Denzel Washington Interviewing Founder Gerardo DiSavino Jr. in an Inspirational Milestone for Youth Empowerment

Mount Vernon, NY — August 29, 2026

In the warm sunlight of a cloudless summer day, the city of Mount Vernon welcomed the grand opening of Elevate Mount Vernon Youth Center, a groundbreaking facility designed to empower the area’s youth with life skills, mentorship, and the tools needed to pursue their dreams.

Founded by Mount Vernon native Gerardo DiSavino Jr., the center opened to great excitement, with special guest Denzel Washington, another Mount Vernon native, on hand to interview DiSavino and discuss his vision for the center. The opening signifies the start of an ambitious journey to bring Elevate Youth Centers to every city in Westchester County, with plans to expand statewide and ultimately nationwide.

Elevate Mount Vernon known as Elevate MV has been years in the making. DiSavino’s dedication to his community and his passion for empowering youth have driven him to create a safe and inspiring space where young people aged 10-18 can grow, learn, and find mentors who will guide them on the path to success. Speaking to Denzel Washington, DiSavino shared how his journey began with his own experiences growing up in Mount Vernon and his determination to provide a resource that didn’t exist when he was young.

“Growing up here, I saw firsthand the need for a place where kids could safely explore their talents, learn real-world skills, and build their confidence,” DiSavino said in his interview with Washington. “This center is about giving young people the chance to dream big and the skills to make those dreams a reality. This is just the start. We plan to have an Elevate Youth Center in every city in Westchester, eventually every county in New York, and ultimately, across the United States. It’s about creating opportunity everywhere.”

Washington, who is known for his own work supporting youth initiatives, expressed admiration for DiSavino’s dedication to community and youth development. “What Gerardo has built here is more than a center; it’s a movement,” Washington said. “Elevate MV will give young people a safe space to learn, grow, and see the possibilities of what they can achieve. I couldn’t be prouder to be here today to witness this vision come to life.”

A Center Designed to Inspire, Educate, and Empower

Located in a state-of-the-art 10,000-square-foot facility, Elevate MV is designed to be much more than an after-school program. The center includes dedicated classrooms, a professional-grade kitchen for culinary classes, a public speaking stage, study rooms, a game room, and a library with resources focused on financial education, entrepreneurship, and personal development. A unique feature is the mentoring lounge, where local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and volunteers work one-on-one with young people, sharing their expertise and life experiences.

The programming at Elevate MV is structured to give young people practical skills that extend beyond academics. From financial literacy to social and public speaking skills, the curriculum is designed to prepare students for real-life challenges and professional success. The center also offers free meals and snacks daily, addressing a critical need and ensuring that every child has access to nutritious food while attending.

A Vision for National Impact

The opening of Elevate MV is just the first step in DiSavino’s plan to reach youth across the country. His vision is to replicate this model in every city in Westchester County, eventually expanding to all of New York’s counties and then to every state. By creating a network of Elevate Youth Centers, DiSavino aims to provide young people nationwide with safe, inspiring spaces to gain essential life skills, mentorship, and support.

“This is bigger than Mount Vernon,” DiSavino explained. “We’re on a mission to provide youth with a place where they can discover who they are and what they’re capable of, no matter where they’re from. Imagine what could happen if every city had a center like this—a place where young people feel empowered, valued, and inspired. We’re starting here, but we’re taking this nationwide.”

An Inspirational Opening Day

The grand opening event was a day of celebration, marked by live music, a tour of the facilities, and an interactive showcase of the programs that will be offered at Elevate MV. Families, friends, and supporters from across the community came to see firsthand what Elevate MV will offer, and many were moved by the energy and enthusiasm of the day. Mr. DiSavino expressed heartfelt gratitude to those who supported him along the way, including local businesses, community volunteers, and the young people who have already shown interest in Elevate MV’s programs.

As Elevate MV opens its doors, the Mount Vernon community is abuzz with excitement and optimism for the impact the center will have on its youth. DiSavino’s journey to bring this vision to life was one of perseverance and passion—a journey that is now shared with the community as it moves forward with a commitment to youth empowerment. Families, friends, and supporters alike anticipate the positive influence Elevate MV will have on the next generation.