Valley Stream Youth Council honors Antun

On her last full day as mayor of Valley Stream, Joanne Antun was honored for her service to the youth of the community. The Valley Stream Youth Council, at its annual fundraiser on April 3, recognized the longtime trustee, who, following the death of Mayor Ed Cahill last year, finished out her term as the village’s first female mayor.

Joined by about 115 people at Lord and Taylor in Garden City, Antun was also honored by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Assemblymen Brian Curran and Edward Ra, and village Trustee and new Mayor Ed Fare.

Antun served as the village board’s liaison to the Valley Stream Youth Council for the past 11 years. She would report to the mayor and fellow trustees about the Youth Council’s activities, and advocate for the organization. She also assisted in securing funds for the organization. The village receives money from state grants, which is then passed on to the Youth Council.

“She was always very supportive of us,” said Ken Heino, president of the Youth Collaboration Board which oversees the council. “She went out of her way to thank the kids for the work they’ve done.”

The Youth Council provides Valley Stream teenagers with community service opportunities, as well as fun activities that those teens might not be able to do otherwise. For example, Heino said, in January, 36 teens from the Youth Council went to New York City to see the “Lion King” on Broadway. The trip was a way of thanking those teens for their service to the community and didn’t cost them any money.

The Youth Collaboration Board, made up of local parents, educators and volunteers, oversees the council. Antun’s service to the organization will continue, as Heino announced she is being added as a member of the youth board.

Youth Council members Alex Ortiz and Cynthia Diaz, both 17, were on hand to present Antun with a plaque from the organization. The two teens spoke about the impact the Youth Council has had on their lives.