Mayor Marc Nelson announced today more than $470,000 in funding to community organizations through the Youth Activities & Opportunities grant program.
In 2018, the City of Poughkeepsie launched the initiative and awarded nearly $140,000 in funds distributed to sporting activities, the performing arts, summer camps, tech programs, workforce development and many other essential endeavors.
“We are proud of this program and how much we have been able to expand it in a short period of time,” said Mayor Nelson. “We know these organizations are doing great things to teach our children and to keep them involved in healthy activities throughout the city.”
Last year, the city allocated $339,000 for youth-related programs, more than doubling the annual investment the city made in 2018. As was the case last year, this year’s commitment involves both city and American Rescue Plan Act funds.
The city has raised the maximum funding award from $15,000 to $20,000 and also held a training session for applicants to answer questions and to provide instruction on reporting requirements.
“We appreciate the great level of cooperation we have received from organizations,” said Youth Services Director Karen Williams. “We had more applications than ever before, a testament to how strong and familiar this funding source has become.”
Twelve of the awards came under the category of arts/theatre/music/culture, 10 were for workforce/academic programs, 8 for sports, and the remaining winners came under other categories.
The organizations receiving financial assistance from the city’s youth grant fund are:
Bardavon, fall and spring daytime theater performance series, $7,500
The Art Effect, workforce development program in arts and media, $20,000
Mid-Hudson Heritage Center, dba Fallkill Creative, clay, print and textile works program, $15,000
Esperanza Dutchess County Hispanic Organization, summer youth program at Bartlett Park and Poughkeepsie Reformed Church gym, $14,000
Celebrating the African Spirit, 12-day high school summer program in local history and creative design and a 6-week academic year teen horizons program, $10,000
Charlia Frank Inc., Simplemente Familia Cooking Program, $12,907
Performing Arts Center of Excellence, beginning, intermediate, and marching band instrumental music courses in the summer, $15,000
Crazy Over Art Tour, summer program learning and building a garden and creating art inspired by nature at green spaces in Poughkeepsie, $15,000
Boys & Girls Clubs of Newburgh, Inc. Poughkeepsie (BGCP) and the Poughkeepsie Performing Arts Academy (PPAA), sports and performing and visual arts program for city youth, $15,000
TransArt & Cultural Services, Jazz in the Valley Master Shadowing Program, $19,955
LoveQuest Foundation, art camp focused on digital music production and streaming services, $7,500
Yusuf House of the Hudson Valley Summer Art Camp, chess program providing basic instruction and orientation to the fundamentals, $6,477.50
Astor Services for Children & Families, equine assisted learning (EAL) to middle school and high school aged youth who reside in the City of Poughkeepsie, $19,350
New York Minorities in Criminal Justice, educate and mentor youth to learn more about civil service and law enforcement careers, $20,000
Community Matters 2, Etiquette & Spice Program, $20,000
Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Learn to Skate program and free public skate nights, $20,000
Mid Hudson Aquatics, swim and competitive swim program, $10,000
City of Poughkeepsie Youth Football League, City of Poughkeepsie flag football, $10,000
City of Poughkeepsie Football and Cheer, youth football and cheer program, $10,000
City of Poughkeepsie Youth Baseball Softball League, softball league play, $10,000
Poughkeepsie Basketball, high school basketball summer tournament program, $10,000
Roy Community Foundation, football program, $10,000
Tight Ups Precision Drill Team, military style marching team, $8,477.50
Finish Strong Wellness Center, Poughkeepsie Reach, 4-week Summer Camp, $10,000
The Growing STEMz Foundation, scientific and digital literacy to promote college and career readiness in technical and STEM Fields, $12,750
Poughkeepsie Farm Project, farming and gardening internship program providing skill based workforce training, $20,000
Vassar Education Collaboration, high school student 2 week program exploring college summer intensive and an afterschool tutoring 4 week summer program for middle school students, $12,833
Nubian Directions II, Inc., beautification gardening program, $15,000
The Chamber Foundation, Inc., the youth entrepreneur program providing an after-school program for students in grades 11 and 12 to gain leadership and entrepreneurial skills to prepare for today's workforce, $15,000.00
The Environmental Cooperative --Vassar College, exploring science summer program that includes visit to the Preserve, a hike, outdoor activities, and nature-based games, arts and crafts, as well as a healthy snack, $5,000
Hudson River Housing, business planning and development program, product design and manufacture, branding and marketing, customer service and skills training, $15,000
Mental Health America "ELLEN'S PLACE," expansion and creation of "ELLEN'S PLACE" an outdoor classroom encouraging traditional indoor lessons in a natural setting, $20,000
DAY ONE Early Learning Community, Inc., early learning, $20,000
Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, museum’s reopening focusing on STEM education for 8-12 year olds including fully interactive exhibit gallery called Science Revealed, $7,500
YOUTH CENTER, Comunilife Inc. (Life is Precious) LIP provides suicide prevention activities for Latina teens at-risk of suicide, $15,000