East Hudson Valley News

Poughkeepsie – Through New York State’s Youth Sports and Education Opportunity grant funding, County Executive Sue Serino announced awards totaling $63,734 to seven nonprofit agencies. These grants aim to provide a variety of sports opportunities to young people, ages 6-17, in under-resourced communities. The awarded programs focus on fostering educational connection and achievement, physical health and well-being, mental health and well-being, youth employment, and community cohesion.

County Executive Serino stated, “Our youth deserve a variety of options when it comes to programming and opportunities, and we are proud to partner with these organizations to make a real difference in kids’ lives. Empowering our children through sports benefits various aspects of their lives and helps set them up for successful futures.”

Projects funded through the 2024-2025 Youth Sports and Education Opportunity funding grant include:

City of Beacon: $5,000

Beacon Swim Academy will host the popular Beacon Pool Swim Academy for a total of 80 children across four two-week sessions for various age groups: 6 months-3 years, ages 3-5, and ages 6-12.

Girls on the Run-Hudson Valley (GOTRsHV): $10,000

Girls on the Run Pilot Promotion to Underserved Youth will offer site-wide financial assistance to Dutchess County schools that have never previously offered GOTR-HV programs. This initiative targets schools where 40 percent or more students qualify for free or reduced-price school lunch.

Mid-Hudson Aquatic: $17,719

Dutchess County Swimpact will use the youth grant funds for 35 children aged 3-13 years who qualify as outreach candidates to participate in six free learn-to-swim classes. Additionally, the funds will support 12 outreach swim team candidates aged 5-17 years with free swim team memberships including training with Mid-Hudson Heatwaves USA Competitive Swim Team for up to four days a week over seven months. The funds will also cover pool rental and swim meets.

Ramapo for Children: $12,000

Experiential Social and Emotional Learning Retreats for Dutchess County Nonprofits and/or Schools will offer a minimum of eight retreats for between 80-160 Dutchess County youth. These retreats utilize active hands-on experiences to strengthen social-emotional learning skills while encouraging physical activity.

The Black and Latino Coalition: $5,625

Mighty Young Majorettes provides underserved children aged 4-12 with an opportunity to engage in competitive majorette baton twirling activities focusing on dance, teamwork, discipline, and self-expression through majorette performance.

Town of Hyde Park: $7,000

Learn to Swim Program offers youth the opportunity to achieve lifelong skills through instruction from certified American Red Cross Swimming Lesson staff.

Town of Red Hook: $10,109

Town of Red Hook Recreation offers over 16 different recreational programs serving more than 500 youth from birth up until age 21 within the boundaries of the Red Hook Central School District.

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