TOH Approves Funding for East Meadow, Levittown Groups

Following a unanimous vote of the Town Board, Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Gary Hudes announced on Tuesday that the communities of East Meadow and Levittown will receive almost $25,000 in grants for local youth-centered initiatives.

The resolution allows the YES (Youth Environmental Services) Counseling Center in Levittown to receive federal Community Development Block Grant funding approval. The $12,100 grant will be used to restore some of the programs previously offered by the Yours Ours Mine Community Center. The YES Center will use the funds to institute its “Family Life Support Project,” which is aimed at assisting children and families in the area of crisis intervention and counseling. 

In addition, the Levittown-Island Trees Youth Council and the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce were awarded Town of Hempstead grant funding approval. The Levittown-Island Trees Youth Council, which serves as a conduit for a variety of recreational programs, will receive $2,750 to help maintain the services it provides to several thousand children, while the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce will receive $8,250 for various programs geared toward children.

"The youth are the future," East Meadow Chamber of Commerce President Peter Cipriano said. "We should do all we can to assist and supplement their development. Assisting organizations with adult volunteers that develop children is well worth it for today and the future."

Murray was equally excited about the funding for the community programs.

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

“While these organizations are getting the grants, it’s really the children who will benefit,” she added. “I encourage families in both East Meadow and Levittown to participate in the myriad programs each of these organizations will now be able to provide.”