Squadron presents Girls Club with big check for big project

A gaggle of Lower Eastside Girls Club members came to the club’s headquarters on Wednesday last week to receive an oversized check for $250,000 from state Senator Daniel Squadron, who helped secure the New York State grant for the club’s new center under construction on Avenue D.

The girls were also celebrating the 11th birthday of their sister club member Imani Quardier, who shared a giant cupcake with her friends and neighborhood visitors to the club’s office on First St. near First Ave.

Lyn Pentecost, Girls Club executive director, and Mary Spink, chairperson of the club’s board of directors, welcomed Squadron as a partner in the club’s future development.

“We’re proud to have Senator Squadron in Albany working for the Lower East Side,” Pentecost said.

Squadron, who led the cheering for Imani’s birthday, assured a visitor that the grant would not be held up by the perpetually late state budget.

“It’s a capital fund grant and isn’t involved in the budget,” he said. “It will help the club build a new place where girls in the neighborhood can meet, learn and grow.’

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