By Robert Remler
Joyce Hummel, Gateway's director, told trustees at their Dec. 5 work session that the goal of the Valley Stream Collaboration Initiative, an organization overseeing the councils, was to work with "a spectrum" of residents in providing a variety of services for local youths.
Ms. Hummel said that the village's only financial responsibility to the program would be allocation of the recreational department.
The Collaboration recently received $10,050 in funding from the State's Children and Family Services Bureau. The amount of money given to the collaboration was based on the area's population size, according to Ms. Hummel.
She said that those involved in the program were committed to fundraising as a means to raise other dollars.
Trustee Joanne Antun introduced Ms. Hummel at the work session. During the introduction, Ms. Antun said that the collaboration represents numerous individuals and organizations "who volunteer their time and expertise."
The need for a Collaboration in Valley Stream targeting youth came as a result of a 1998 study released by the Nassau County Youth Board, according to Ms. Hummel. That study indicated that Valley Stream, as well as other communities, were "underfunded and underserved" when it came to youth organizations.
The Collaboration has a three-fold purpose, according to Ms. Hummel. She said that the first is to "identify what youth and services programs are already available in the community." She said that this will be accomplished by going to the institutions in the community.
The second purpose of the Collaboration is to determine from the community what needs of the youth are currently not being met. Ms. Hummel said that at one time, there was a bowling alley and movie theater in Valley Stream that provided places were the area's youth could go to for recreation. Those no longer exist.
Finally, Ms. Hummel asked: "What collaboratively can Valley Stream best do to meet the needs of its youth?" Ms. Hummel said that question will be addressed by members of the Collaboration. Many of the names active in this program are familiar to residents. They include Don Gately, Assistant Principal at Memorial Junior High School; Roger Bloom, a social studies teacher; Joanne Antun, village trustee; Bruce Beaver, Community Relations director at Franklin Hospital Medical Center; Joseph Zabatta, village trustee member; Diane Callaghan, director of Girl Scouts in Valley Stream and the Rev. Charlotte Davis of the Olivet Baptist Church.
George Baker, also a member of the Collaboration and village recreation director, asked the trustees to recognize the existence of the youth board and youth council. He said that recognition of the councils would be preceded by a strict set of "enabling laws" that would be presented to the trustees.
Aside from Joanne Antun, only trustee Joseph Zabatta voiced support following Ms. Hummel's presentation. He said that similar requests had been made to prior administrations but never received the support of trustees.
Active in various youth activities, including Friends of Bridge, Mr. Zabatta said that the youth of the area are important. He called the area's youth Valley Stream's biggest asset. Support of the Collaboration was seen as "an investment in the future," said Mr. Zabatta. "I will be behind it 300 percent," he said.
Trustees will meet on Dec. 11 for their regular meeting.
