$44,000 approved for Elmont, Valley Stream

Following a unanimous vote by the Town of Hempstead Board on Aug. 2, Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilmen James Darcy and Edward Ambrosino have announced that Elmont and Valley Stream will receive more than $44,000 in state and federal grants for local resident-oriented programs.

Gateway Youth Outreach, an after-school organization for at-risk youth in Elmont, will be receiving $25,000 in funding from the federal Community Development Block Grant, which was approved by the Hempstead Town Board on Tuesday. The Peninsula Counseling Center in Valley Stream will be receiving $19,678 for its youth services from a New York State Office of Children and Family Services grant, also approved by the town on Tuesday.

“I am thrilled that we are able to support organizations that offer a positive option for the youth of the Elmont and Valley Stream communities,” Murray said. “I know the communities will benefit from these monies which will finance a host of important services.”

Funding for the GYO grant comes from the town’s Department of Planning and Economic Development. Pat Boyle, GYO’s executive director, said that although this is not the first year that the town has allocated funds for GYO, he is glad the town has continued to renew funding.

For 35 years, GYO has offered after-school programs for first- to sixth-grade students in the Elmont Union Free School District. With nearly 800 students taking part in the program, GYO provides them not only a place to do their homework but unique learning opportunities, while offering their parents with peace of mind. The three-hour program uses classrooms at the Gotham Avenue, Clara H. Carlson, Covert Avenue, Dutch Broadway, Alden Terrace and Stewart Manor schools.

"The Town has always supported what GYO does, and keeps us in mind for all sorts of innovative programming," Boyle said. "Councilman Ambrosino first lobbied on our behalf to have these monies allocated, and Supervisor Murray, who has visited our programs often, as well, was very instrumental in securing this funding for GYO. Councilman Darcy, who covers areas in the southern portion of our catchment area, also has been a frequent visitor to our programs and endorses our receiving the funds ... knowing I can count on them is a great comfort."