(Central Islip, NY, July 2, 2014)— Today, County Executive Steve Bellone and Legislator Monica Martinez and Suffolk County PAL, were joined by the administration of New York Institute of Technology and volunteer organizations to announce Suffolk County’s Summer Youth Connection for the students of Central Islip, Brentwood and North Bay Shore area.
“Due to the contamination of the area’s largest park and recreational facility, Roberto Clemente Park, the park will be closed for the summer and unavailable for student recreation,” said County Executive Bellone. “Suffolk County wanted to ensure that students in the area had access to quality recreational and motivational activities during the summer months and I am thankful to all of the collaborating organizations for stepping up to the plate and providing an outlet for our youth. We know that idle time for youth can lead to them engaging in activities that are not productive and could potentially be detrimental to their overall development. The hours of programming offered by Suffolk County’s Summer Youth Connection help to fill that gap and provide positive recreational activities.”
“On behalf of the community, and in the spirit of being a good neighbor, NYIT is pleased to offer the use of our athletic facility so that students residing in Brentwood, Central Islip, and North Bay Shore can have access to fun recreational activities this July and August,” said Leonard Aubrey, NYIT’s CFO and vice president of Financial Affairs.
Suffolk County PAL has contracted with NYITtooffereveningsummer youth activities free of charge for the youth of the area. Activities include: Friday Night Live and Girls’ Night Out youth mentoring program, open gym, instructional basketball, hip-hop dance, step dance instruction, career and college prep and healthy lifestyles activities. All of these activities will take place Tuesday through Friday evenings from 5:00pm-9:00pm on the campus of NYIT.
“Our community has been wounded, but we are resilient,” stated NYS Assemblyman Phil Ramos. “Faced with the prospect of a summer with no pools and no major sources of recreation, North Bay Shore, Brentwood and Central Islip united to find solutions. I am so pleased to join County Executive Bellone, Legislator Martinez, NYIT, the Suffolk County Police Athletic League and our many dedicated community leaders in announcing this crucial partnership, and I am especially proud to have secured state funding to support continued efforts of this initiative. This program will fill the gap for our kids this summer and provide them with safe, quality recreation options while Roberto Clemente Park remains closed.”
“I cannot express how happy I am to be partnering with County Executive Steve Bellone, community leaders and members of the NYIT facility to announce Suffolk County’s Summer Youth Connection to the families of Brentwood, Central Islip and North Bay Shore,” stated Legislator Monica Martinez. “In lieu of the closing of Roberto Clemente Park, NYIT has graciously opened its doors to the 9th Legislative District by affording our children a facility where they can engage in recreational activities such as dance, basketball, open gym and much more. Studies have shown that there is a lower rate of juvenile delinquency when children are kept busy and active especially over the summer months. Through Suffolk County’s Summer Youth Connection, children will be engaging in positive programs that promote literacy, self-empowerment, leadership and problem solving skills.”
In addition to the youth activities being offered, this initiative assists in providing youth from the area summer jobs. Under the Suffolk County Department of Labor, 10 youth have been assigned to the Suffolk County’s Summer Youth Connection to assist with the activities of the program.
The collaborating agencies and individuals offering programming at no cost to participants include: Hip Hop Summit Youth Council, 100 Black Men of Long Island, Venettes Cultural Workshop, Christian Cultural Center, 100 Black Women of LI, Art Miller, Tatianna Darden, Y.E.P.-Youth Empowerment Project of Long Island and the Urban League of Long Island.
For more information, registration forms and a calendar of activities please log on to:http://www.facebook.com/SteveBellone
