ADVOCACY ALERT:
RALLY 4 KIDS DRAWS HUNDREDS
Parents, Youth, and Advocates Speak Out
in Support of Children's Services
Thanks to everyone who
participated in yesterday's fabulous Rally 4 Kids in White Plains. Special
thanks to our speakers. You really showed how services help children, youth and
families thrive!
We sent a loud and clear
message to elected officials and the public that public expenditures for children and youth are vital and cost effective
investments in our future.
The rally was covered by
Channel 12 and by the Journal News. Read the LoHud article. View photos on Flickr. View other photos.
Kathy Halas, Executive
Director of the Child Care Council of Westchester and one of the rally
organizers explained, "We recognize that the County
is confronting the most difficult of financial situations. But we
also know that children need services and resources more than ever and that
Westchester's "safety net" for children has to be strong, effective and accessible. Recent cuts to children's services
threaten that safety net, so we are calling on everyone
who cares for and about children to demonstrate that children and
youth are a priority in our County, especially during tough times."
Speaking at the rally, Cora Greenberg, Executive Director of the
Westchester Children's Association, pointed out that thousands of young people
may lose access to crucial services without County investments. "Services such
as child care or after school programs for teens, allow families to work and
contribute to the local economy," she said. "These programs-along with others
such as counseling for troubled young people, job readiness programs and foster
care prevention-are sound investments that save taxpayers much more money than
they cost. For example, it costs $2,000 a year to provide guidance to a young
person who has gotten into minor trouble with the law, as opposed to more than
$200,000 to keep that same youngster in a juvenile detention center or jail."
Additional speakers at the rally included:-
Jessica Grimm, Youth Forum Alumna and Director of
Youth Services, Family Ties of Westchester.
- Orvil Matthews, former WestHAB youth participant
- Janeelia Henry, parent of a child attending Mount
Vernon Day Care, Inc.
- Jerry
Morrissy, retired General Foods
executive, Board member Ossining Children's Center.
- Cornell
"Lord Judah" Carelock, teaching artist.
- Diana
Lopera, single mom, child care staff member at Ossining Children's Center.
- Charlotte
Bilski, member of Westchester Youth Council
Westchester
County provides support for programs serving thousands of children and youth in
partnership with a wide array of non-profit community based organizations. The
following types of programs, primarily aimed at young people in impoverished or
otherwise at-risk families and communities, are included in those facing cuts
in public funding: -
child
care subsidies for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and school-aged children
(including summer programs) in poor and working-class families;
- after
school programs for children and youth, providing tutoring, recreation,
enrichment;
-
job
readiness and leadership programs for teens;
- counseling
and mental health treatment for children and youth involved in delinquency,
substance abuse or other troubling behavior;
-
family
support to prevent foster care placement;
-
programs
that protect children's rights and help them obtain appropriate services.
Action 4 Kids is a coalition
of Westchester individuals and organizations fighting to preserve and protect
vital public investments in services for children, youth and their families. Read the blog for updates.Westchester Children's Association works to ensure that every child is healthy, safe, and prepared for life's challenges.
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Westchester Children's Association 470 Mamaroneck Ave, Suite 304 White Plains, NY 10605 914.946.7676 WCA is a member of 
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