Senator Webb Delivers Over $90,000 in State Funding for Local Educational Programming in Broome County

(BROOME COUNTY, NY) Today, Senator Webb (SD52) held a press conference to announce that she has secured over $90,000 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. 

• $35,000 for CARES Advocates for Families Inc. to support educational programming
• $25,000 for Broome County Urban League to provide community members with education resources
• $22,000 for Kopernik Observatory to support educational programming
• $14,000 for libraries across Broome County 

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 over $90,000 to local organizations here in Broome 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.” 

Said Denise Yull, Acting CEO of CARES Advocates for Families, “We are filled with gratitude and appreciation to Senate Webb for this grant. This funding allows CARES to continue our work on programs designed to promote students’ school success by building a collective of parents of color and community members who work together to promote educational equity and restorative justice in schools and the wider community. In addition to our academic tutorials, CARES parents work inside and outside of schools to bridge cultural disconnects between the community and schools while providing students with socio-emotional support, mentorship, and guidance.  Our goal is to keep students in school and on the road to graduation.  As Nelson Mandela shared: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

“We are thrilled to receive this vital operational grant from Senator Webb to support education programming,” said Jennifer A. Lesko, President/CEOBroome County Urban League, “A proper education can set our children and youth up to grow personally, professionally, and socially. It can awaken joy, curiosity, and a deep desire to solve problems and help others. Plus, education can inspire them to pursue leadership roles and positively impact those around them. One of the other many benefits of education is that it can broaden a child’s horizon, helping them understand more about other cultures and corners of the world beyond the school door

Said Drew Deskur, Executive Director of Kopernik Observatory, “The Southern Tier has a long and rich history of scientific and technological innovation and that DNA still exists here. Kopernik is honored and deeply grateful for the support Senator Webb has shown for the work we do to inspire and engage the next generation of scientists and engineers”.

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