Poughkeepsie … Through New York State’s Youth Sports and Education Opportunity grant funding, County Executive Sue Serino announced awards totaling $63,734 to seven nonprofit agencies to provide a variety of sports opportunities to young people, ages 6-17, in under-resourced communities. Awarded programs focus on fostering educational connection and achievement, physical health and well-being, mental health and well-being, youth employment and community cohesion.
County Executive Serino said, “Our youth deserve a variety of options when it comes to programming and opportunities, and we are proud to partner with these organizations to make a real difference in kid’s lives. Empowering our children through sports benefits various aspects of their lives and helps set them up for successful futures.”
Projects funded through the 2024-2025 Youth Sports and Education Opportunity funding grant include:
City of Beacon, $5,000
Beacon Swim Academy – Host the popular Beacon Pool Swim Academy for a total of 80 children as four two-week sessions for various ages: 6 months-3 years, ages 3-5 and ages 6-12.
Girls on the Run-Hudson Valley (GOTRsHV), $10,000
Girls on the Run Pilot Promotion to Underserved Youth – Offer site-wide financial assistance to Dutchess County schools that have never offered GOTR-HV programs previously and have 40 percent or more students who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunch.
Mid-Hudson Aquatic, $17,719
Dutchess County Swimpact — Mid-Hudson Aquatics proposes to use the youth grant funds for 35 children, ages 3- 13 years which qualify as outreach candidates to participate in 6 X 45 minute free learn to swim classes. Additionally, the youth grant funds would provide 12 outreach swim team candidates ages 5- 17 years a free swim team membership consisting of 7 months / up to 4 days a week training with Mid-Hudson Heatwaves USA Competitive Swim Team, swim meets and USA Swimming membership. The funds will be used for pool rental and swim meets.
Ramapo for Children, $12,000
Experiential Social and Emotional Learning Retreats for Dutchess County Nonprofits and/or Schools – Offer a minimum of 8-12 retreats for 80-160 Dutchess County youth to utilize active, hands-on experiences to strengthen social and emotional learning skills and encourage physical activity.
The Black and Latino Coalition, $5,625
Mighty Young Majorettes – Provides underserved children, ages 4-12, with an opportunity to engage in competitive majorette baton twirling activities, focusing on dance, teamwork, discipline, and self-expression through the art of majorette performance.
Town of Hyde Park $7,000
Learn to Swim Program – Provides youth the opportunity to achieve a life-long skills through the instruction of certified American Red Cross Swimming Lesson staff.
Town of Red Hook, $10,109
Town of Red Hook Recreation – Offers 16+ different recreational programs to over 500 youth, birth to age 21, who live within the boundaries of the Red Hook Central School District.
