Senator Webb Delivers $70,000 in State Funding for Local Educational Programming in Tompkins County

(TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY) Today, Senator Webb (SD52) held a press conference to announce that she has secured $70,000 in state funds to support the work of local organizations providing education programs. This funding is part of over $200,000 in operational grants that Senator Webb has secured for education programs and libraries in Senate District 52. 

• $25,000 to Coddington Road Center to provide direct administrative support to their staff, purchase vital childcare equipment, and fund additional materials and supplies for their organization.
• $20,000 to the Greater Ithaca Activities Center to purchase a 12-passenger van to enhance daily programming to enhance daily programming for teen participants.
• $12,500 to The Village at Ithaca in support of their mission to provide marginalized youth and local families with assistance with meeting basic needs, and for educational programming.
• $12,500 to East Ithaca Preschool in support of their mission to maintain and expand their center’s educational programming. 

Said Senator Lea Webb, “I am thrilled to deliver over $200,000 in state funds to support local organizations working to educate our youth including $70,000 to local organizations here in Tompkins County. We are fortunate to have so many organizations in the Southern Tier doing important work to educate youth and support families. I am proud that I was able to secure these additional resources for our local organizations so that they can continue to offer critical services to our community. Last year, I fought to fully fund Foundation Aid in the state budget and to ensure that every child could access free school meals. I will continue to fight for additional funding for education in the upcoming legislative session.” 

“Coddington Road Community Center is thrilled to be a recipient of $25,000 in educational funding,” said Heather Mount, Executive Director of Coddington Road Center.  “Annually our center provides approximately $65,000 in scholarships to assist families with the expense of childcare. Funding like this from Senator Webb ensures that we will not have to place a limit on the number of scholarships we offer while also maintaining our ability to purchase the resources and materials needed for our childcare and youth programs.”

“With the right and adequate resources, we know that young people will thrive,” said Leslyn McBean Clairborne Ed.D, Executive Director of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center. “This funding will help us provide the transportation our teens need to access resources for their success. Thanks, Senator Webb, for believing in the power of young people and the energy of our GIAC community to help them succeed.”

“The Village at Ithaca is a youth and family-centered organization in Tompkins County that addresses systemic injustice through responsive anti-racist programming and services to build an equitable and inclusive community,” said Meryl Phipps, Executive Director of The Village at Ithaca. “We are so grateful to Senator Webb for securing this funding, which will allow us to continue to work towards our vision of a community where all youth and families are seen, heard, valued and thriving.”

Said Suzanne Foot, Executive Director of the East Ithaca Preschool, “Thank you to Senator Webb for granting this funding for our great school! EIP, which will celebrate our centennial on June 2nd 2024, is the oldest cooperative preschool in the nation and has served as a role model in shaping preschools and education across the country. We will be using much of the grant money to acquire new playground equipment, offer scholarships to families in need, and hire a full-time aide in the classroom.”

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