New York News

NYC Cops & Kids Boxing Receives Grant After Feature in The Tablet

November 12, 2025
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Aspiring boxers warm up at the NYC Cops & Kids Boxing gym in the Flatbush Gardens housing development. The club is in its 40th year teaching self-discipline, hard work, and sportsmanship. (Photos: Bill Miller)

LITTLE HAITI — If Pat Russo ever needs affirmation that he is doing the Lord’s work, all he has to do is remember how a $25,000 check to help cover costs recently arrived in the mail. 

Russo is the director of NYC Cops & Kids Boxing, which has four gyms — one in Brooklyn, two on Staten Island, and the newest one in the Bronx.  

But this is a non-profit group that relies on donations for operating funds. Russo, a retired NYPD sergeant, said fundraising is challenging; his time is limited because he also owns a wholesale food distribution company. 

“Running a gym is hard, but raising money is even harder,” Russo said. “And believe me, we could use all the help we could get.” 

Still, it’s important work, Russo said. 

RELATED: Boxing Club Making Champions In and Out of Ring for 40 Years

For 40 years, NYC Cops & Kids Boxing has provided youth in at-risk neighborhoods with the opportunities to train and compete in the ring for boxing greatness. 

Along the way, they learn about discipline, hard work, respect for others, and respect for themselves.  

The Tablet reported in July about the group and one of its success stories — professional middleweight women’s boxer and NYPD officer, Nisa Rodriguez. 

Russo said he got a lot of positive feedback from the articles, but he wasn’t expecting a response from the Manhattan-based philanthropic organization, the Achelis and Bodman Foundation. 

Russo said the call came “out of the blue” from the foundation’s executive director, John Krieger, who said he read The Tablet’s articles about NYC Cops & Kids Boxing. Russo subsequently learned that his group could apply for a grant from the foundation. 

Pat Russo, director of NYC Cops & Kids Boxing, oversees four gyms — the one shown here in Brooklyn, two on Staten Island, and the club’s newest one in the Bronx. In March, he was honored with his induction to the New York Boxing Hall of Fame.

The retired cop got busy completing the application process. 

RELATED: Former At-Risk Youth Turned Cop, Pro Boxer Helps Kids Cope

“Obviously, there was a bunch of paperwork, which I appreciate because we’re legitimate,” Russo said. “We’ve been doing this for a long time, and we have the data to back it up.” 

The foundation trustees sent Russo a letter dated Sept. 26 to say they authorized a $25,000 grant to NYC Cops & Kids for general operating support. 

“Which was fantastic,” Russo said. 

Krieger told The Tablet on Oct. 30 that the foundation was happy to award the grant to NYC Cops & Kids Boxing.  

According to its website, the Achelis and Bodman Foundation was established 10 years ago through a merger of two longtime philanthropic organizations. 

Russo said he is grateful for their support. 

“It’s really important that people like this generous organization see our people doing good, and want to be part of it,” he said. “What we do is hard, but it’s worth it when we see a kid excel.”