Gural JCC in Cedarhurst to receive $125,000 to combat substance abuse

The Marion & Aaron Gural JCC in Cedarhurst is one of three Long Island nonprofit organizations that will receive federal money from the United States Department of Health and Human Services through its Drug-Free Communities Support Program.

The DFC Program is considered the nation’s leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent and reduce substance abuse among young people. Established in 1997 by the Drug-Free Communities Act, the program provides grants to community coalitions to strengthen the infrastructure among local partners to create and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use.

Each recipient will use its funding on programming to combat youth substance abuse in the communities they serve. The Gural JCC has used the money to help create the Saving Lives Five Towns Community Drug Free Coalition.

“As a gerontologist and registered nurse, I am very proud to see my vision coming to fruition as we have created the Saving Lives Five Towns Community Drug Free Coalition,” Cathy Byrne, the JCC’s associate executive director for older adults and special needs stated in a news release. “Prevention is a powerful instrument to counteract drug use in our community and we will use this funding to help educate parents and youth in the greater Five Towns to make healthy choices.”

The JCC was awarded $125,000. The Rockville Centre Youth Coalition for Youth also received $125,000 and the Family and Children’s Association in Mineola was awarded $124,977.

“Preventing youth substance abuse in our communities is critical, and these grants will help us just do that,” Rep. Kathleen Rice said in the release. “I commend the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC, the Rockville Centre Coalition for Youth, and the Family and Children’s Association for their tireless work combating youth substance abuse and I congratulate them on winning these highly competitive federal grants.”