By Angela Marshall
For Grasing, the executive director of the Rockville Centre Hispanic Brotherhood, and her staff, it has been an emotional few months. Faced with a funding crisis, Grasing turned to representatives of all levels of local government. She would have been relieved if just one of them had come through, but she never expected positive results from all three.
Grasing learned last week that in addition to New York stateÕs agreement to renew the original $50,000 grant used to pay the tutors, the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County had also pledged funding to keep the BrotherhoodÕs after-school program alive.
The Brotherhood relies on the state grant, and until last week Grasing was unsure if it would be renewed. She appealed to Sen. Dean Skelos of Rockville Centre, and earlier this month the funding was reallocated.
ÒThrough the state budget, I worked to provide the Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre with the resources needed to continue making a difference in our community,Ó said Skelos. ÒFor nearly 20 years, the Hispanic Brotherhood has offered vital programs and assistance to local families. I am extremely pleased that this needed funding will finally reach its intended destination and that these important services will remain available.Ó
While Grasing waited for word from the state, she turned to county and town officials. Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Anthony Santino worked together to issue a $20,000 grant through the townÕs Department of Planning and Economic Development.
The tutor program is available to children ages 5 to 12 who need a place to do homework after school. The staff of five certified teachers and one supervisor is supplemented by the high-school tutors, who are able to give the students one-on-one help. In addition to helping the younger children, the program is geared to give teens a positive activity after school to keep them off the streets. Many of the tutors have been inspired to become teachers after working with the children.
ÒSupporting education is a major priority for my administration,Ó said Murray. ÒIt would have been tragic to the children to lose such an important program. I am delighted that the town had funding available to keep this program on track.Ó
Santino agreed, saying, ÒThis is a win-win solution for the communities of Rockville Centre and surrounding areas. Children should not be deprived of after-school educational assistance. The town was glad to be of help.Ó
Nassau County also stepped up its funding of the tutorial program. Some of the teachersÕ salaries are paid for with a grant provided by the countyÕs Youth Board. Nassau County Legislator Joseph Scannell worked to increase that funding so that the Brotherhood would receive $55,000 this year, $20,000 more than in previous years.
Grasing said that all the good news was a great holiday present for the Brotherhood, and especially for the high school tutors, who feared losing their jobs come Jan. 1. With the additional funds, Grasing plans to hire a bilingual social worker and more tutors.
