Senator Larkin Secures $97,000 In Funding For SUNY Orange BRIDGES

Pictured above from left, BRIDGES  Program Director Patricia Bassey; Senator Bill Larkin; SUNY Orange President, Dr. Kristine Young;  and Vinnie Cazzetta, SUNY Orange Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Senator Bill Larkin (R,C,I – 39^th District) recently met with SUNY Orange President, Dr. Kristine Young, along with BRIDGES  Program Director Patricia Bassey to announce $97,000 in funding to support SUNY Orange’s BRIDGES Program.  The funding was secured by Senator Larkin in this year’s State Budget.

BRIDGES is an inclusive, community-based postsecondary educational experience for students with intellectual, developmental, and autism spectrum disabilities and encapsulates the following goals: Building educational foundations; Realizing what is possible; Individualizing personal goals and self discovery; Developing confidence and skills; Guiding the process to success; Empowering young adults in their role as Students.

“I am happy that I could do my part in providing additional support for SUNY Orange’s BRIDGES. This outstanding program provides important services to students with developmental disabilities, helping them achieve academic success and reach important life goals,” said Senator Larkin. “By continuing to support BRIDGES, we are providing greater opportunities for students with developmental disabilities and making our Orange community stronger.”

“Senator Larkin has long been a staunch advocate for SUNY Orange, and his support of our BRIDGES program was instrumental in the program coming to fruition,” said Dr. Kristine Young, SUNY Orange President. “The BRIDGES program will provide an inclusive, community-based educational framework for students with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities or autism spectrum disabilities. Once again, the Senator recognized a need in his community, and he would not rest until he had done all that he could to make it happen.”

This year’s funding is in addition to the $250,000 Senator Larkin secured in last year’s State Budget to help jumpstart the SUNY Orange BRIDGES program.