William R. Steinhaus
Dutchess County Executive
Telephone:  (845) 486-2000, FAX: (845) 486-2021, countyexec@co.dutchess.ny.us

August 9, 2001

Grants from County Will Assist Programs for Youth

Poughkeepsie. . . County Executive William R. Steinhaus announced the signing of several grants under the Youth Assets Program conducted by the Dutchess County Youth Bureau with the support of the Children’s Services Council.  Under the program, a total of $20,000 is available to local organizations that submit approved proposals.

The County Executive noted, “The variety and creativity of the selected programs offer a wide range of activities to youngsters of all ages and in all parts of the county.   Through community involvement, youth are guided in constructive use of their time and gain positive values, social and self-awareness.  Best of all, they have fun learning and are in a safe, healthy, disciplined environment.”

The grants will help fund various activities in the cities and towns of Dutchess County.  Among these are:

• The Juliette Low Camp for Girls with Disabilities under the direction of the Girl Scouts.  This overnight camp provides the opportunity for girls with physical and developmental disabilities to experience rare outdoor adventures.  Two nurses and physical therapists are on site to ensure the well-being of the girls, ages 6-18, who, thanks to this program, have been given the opportunity to enjoy a non-competitive, fun-filled environment, make new friends and develop new skills.   

• The Days of Respect Leadership Team in the Spackenkill school district has received $1,000 to help continue their collaborative program.  Students, parents and teachers work together through a series of workshops, assemblies and classroom activities centered around the theme of respect and the goal to end verbal, emotional, and physical abuse on campus.

• SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) will use the $1,000 award toward their annual Conference.   At the event, SADD Chapters meet, exchange ideas and plan joint projects.  Workshops and activities are planned on topics the Chapters have requested, providing the educational aspect to the meeting.  SADD’s community involvement provides a resource and opportunity for positive peer influence and the opportunity to work with adult role models, develop leadership skills, self-esteem and a strong sense of purpose.

   

• “Aprendamos Juntos” (Learning Together), a program at the North East Community Center, enables Hispanic immigrants to be tutored in English by Spanish students who, in turn, practice conversational Spanish with their peers and learn about the culture of Latino countries.

   

• D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Programs in Poughkeepsie and Hyde Park consist of youth volunteers who represent their programs at community events.   The Hyde Park teens will apply their funds to planning activities for younger youth who attend the Teen Center and for special events sponsored by the Recreation Department.  The Poughkeepsie group will use their grant funds to supplement the “Poughkeepsie 500” elimination-style racing competition for pine wood cars designed and built by youth in adult-supervised time after school.  D.A.R.E. members act as role models and have become a visible force in the community in their fight against drug use.

•  The Freedom Plains Presbyterian Church’s  goal is the Development of a Youth Center.  The conversion of basement rooms, including painting, carpeting, making curtains, removing old furniture and cleaning will provide a safe social area for the organization’s youth to meet and interact, enjoy group activities and play competitive games, like ping-pong, basketball and foosball.  They will have the pride of seeing how their hard work paid off to transform a few rooms into a Youth Center.

Others receiving grant dollars are Stanford Free Library, Martin Luther King Cultural Center (Beacon Skate Park Coalition), Rhinebeck Connections, Inc., Hudson River Housing, Youth Mission Outreach, New Hope Community Center, Mental Health Association, Stanford Recreation, Mill Street Loft and Camp Ramapo Anchorage. 

According to Executive Director of the Youth Bureau, Betsy Brockway, an exciting new initiative, KIDS FIRST FAIR, will be an added to the Youth Assets Program.  “The Girl Scouts of Dutchess County will coordinate this special event.  It will encompass 40 local not-for-profit agencies, each demonstrating one of the 40 developmental ‘building blocks of healthy development’ that help young people to remain healthy, caring and responsible citizens,” she said.  The Fair will be held in late fall at a central location and is geared toward families with children aged pre-school through teen.

County Executive Steinhaus added, “Our Youth Asset Program is an aspect of the Youth Bureau that allows us to reach out to the youth of the county through programs that hold their interest and, at the same time, instill a sense of responsibility to the community and their peers.  The KIDS FIRST FAIR concept is a way to deliver our message to a major percentage of county youth and demonstrate the diversity of the programs that are available.”

For more information about any of these organizations or programs, please contact the Dutchess County Youth Bureau at 845/486-3660.

2001 Press Releases