Senator Roxanne J. Persaud Announces State Grant Funding for Educational Programs Serving the 19th Senate District

This funding was secured in the NYS Budget for fiscal year 2019-2020 to help supplement classroom teaching expenses, support after-school programs and connect more youth to STEM/STEAM and the arts. Among the grantees announced today are:

P.S. 194 Raoul Wallenberg and P.S. 272 Curtis Estabrook
STEM/STEAM programs offered by Elite Learners, Inc., Sisters with Purpose and St. Francis College
Arts and cultural education programs offered by No Kids Left Behind, Inc., and BRIC | ARTS | MEDIA, Bklyn, Inc.
My Extended Family, an afterschool program serving students from single-parent households

“As we begin a new school year, I commend the educators, administrators, support professionals, students and parents across the 19th Senate District; as well as the community innovators that reach and empower our youth and their families after school, on the weekends and during summer break,” said Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “I am honored to bring funding from Albany to support this well-rounded group of organizations serving every corner of SD19.”

“Senator Persaud is a huge supporter of education. She values the importance of providing students and teachers with resources in order to help meet the needs of every type of learner,” said P.S. 194 Principal Joy Mendelsohn. “PS 194 is extremely fortunate to have Senator Persaud's support.”

"We at P.S. 272 - the Curtis Estabrook School - are so excited about this award which will enable us to extend and enhance our current youth and community-centered programs," said P.S. 272 Principal Dakota Keyes. "This funding will afford our students the opportunity to be exposed to all forms of the arts and STEM-focused experiences that our community might not otherwise have exposure to. We are honored to be chosen as a recipient."

“We’re grateful to Sen. Persaud for supporting our Mentorship Through Robotics program,” Elite Learners CEO Camara Jackson stated. “This new funding will enable our organization to introduce more students to science and technology, which will open the doors to a brighter future for them.”

"Sisters With Purpose Inc. is forever grateful for the resources received from Senator Persaud’s Bullet Aid award," said Susie Williams, Executive Director. "Funding will source educational workshops in science, engineering, mathematics and anti-bullying awareness for our youth in East New York and Canarsie. These are important skills sets that aid in building their socio-economic statuses through college and beyond."

"We're incredibly grateful to Senator Persaud's support for our Summer Science Academy for high school students. The funding helps ensure we continue to engage young people in STEM during high school, laying a foundation for them to become STEM scholars in college and, potentially, pursue those fields professionally later in life," said Dr. Miguel Martinez-Saenz, President of St. Francis College.

“On behalf of the entire No Kids Left Behind organization, we would like to thank Senator Roxanne Persaud for giving us the honor to become recipients of this year’s NYSED Bullet Aid grant. We will utilize this opportunity to the fullest extent”, said Keith Watkins, Founder and Director of No Kids Left Behind, Inc.

“BRIC is delighted to collaborate with Senator Persaud to provide arts and media education programs to Brooklyn students in the 19th District. BRIC is committed to building the art and media skills of young people, and to creating opportunities for students to express their authentic creative voices. We are so grateful the Senator shares these values. Together, we will integrate contemporary visual arts and media into the core curriculum of our school partners and engage students with innovative new learning opportunities,” Kristina Newman-Scott, President, BRIC.

“My Extended Family would like to thank Senator Roxanne J.Persaud for her vision and courage in reaching out to the members of the community,” said Rabbi Yosef Vigler, Founder of My Extended Family. “It takes a village to raise a child. By reaching out to help children while they are young, the Senator is actively ensuring that the community will have healthy and productive members in our future. Thank you, Senator, for your vision and leadership.”