Town of Hempstead Approves Funding for Levittown, East Meadow Groups

Following a unanimous vote of the Town Board, Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Gary Hudes announced on Tuesday that the communities of Levittown and East Meadow 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. As reported by Patch on Monday, the $12,100 grant will be used to restore some of the programs previously offfered 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. 

"We're very grateful that the Town has recognized the importance of funding programs in the Town," said Jamie Bogenshutz, the executive director of YES. "Hopefully this is the start of a great new relationship with the Town."

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.

“We’ve been a recipient for a couple of years, and the Town is always supportive,” said Kevin Regan, the executive director of the Youth Council. “It’s a wonderful thing that they do, supporting the youth of the community. The money is put to good use. It helps taking care of the kids that we serve.”

“I am thrilled that we are able to support organizations that offer positive support for theyouth 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 inthe myriad programs each of these organizations will now be able to provide.”