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For high school student Michael Dasilva, a ball field in East Harlem is an oasis in his community.

"These aren't the greatest neighborhoods, but having RBI here it makes it feel like it is a great neighborhood and it keeps you off the streets and it's just very rewarding," says Dasilva.

Thanks to the support and dedication of 170 volunteers, Harlem RBI provides 1,000 kids ages five to 22 with the opportunity to excel both on and off the field.

"For many of our kids the relationships they form with adults here are the most meaningful relationships in their life. They may not get it at home, they may not get it at school, but their coach is a person who is there for them unconditionally," says RBI Executive Director Rich Berlin.

John Rosenberger lives in the community and has been coaching softball for six years. With two practices a week and a double header on Sundays he says it's time well spent.

"I have been with them since seventh grade, they are in high school now, all of them are going to colleges," says Rosenberger.

Since 2005, 97 percent of the young people in RBI have graduated high school. Ninety-three percent have been accepted into college, in part, due to the after school tutoring program also run by volunteers.

"It's a bonus because they help you to maintain school work over the school year and get good grades, and the rewarding part is the baseball," says Dasilva.

"It's giving back to kids what I got when I was younger. When I was younger I got someone who cared about us as not just kids that really wanted to play and learn but as individuals. And that's what I want to give to these kids because they come from this neighborhood or other rough neighborhoods," says RBI volunteer Jaclyn Rosa.

So, for hitting a home run with city students, Harlem RBI is the latest New Yorker of the Week. For more information, visit www.HarlemRBI.org or call 1-212-722-1608.