Our Future Is Bright
Day after day and year after year I am so impressed by the quality and spirit of young people here in Rockland. I had the great privilege of meeting with Brownie Troop #40549 from Link IB World School as they began work on earning their “Giveback Badges.”
To earn that badge these third-grade girls developed a student action plan and are running food drives at local businesses to help People to People. They placed a collection box in the front lobby of the Allison Parris Office Building at 11 New Hempstead Road in New City and are asking for non-perishable food donations until February 17th.
Their troop will deliver the donations to People to People in Nanuet and are planning to volunteer to help distribute the food to those in need in our community. And there is a need; last year, People to People provided assistance to nearly 14,000 Rockland households.
Individual circumstances can change very quickly, whether it be the loss of a job, sudden death of a spouse or a tragic accident. These can all cause a drastic change in being able to put food on the table for your family. People to People provide assistance to more than 1,500 kids from low-income families every month.
It is heart warming to see our youth stepping up to help those who are in need. And this is not the only way our young people are improving our community.
Within County Government the Rockland Conservation and Service Corps, made up of high school and college age young people, completed 75 environmental projects last year They improved 60 miles of regional trails and water bodies, and aided in storm mitigation efforts by removing 88 stream blockages.
They have made an incredible difference to our local environment by completing many projects that improved county sites and resources by making them more accessible.
Working for the Conservation and Service Corps is a great opportunity for students to gain work experience, earn money and make a lasting contribution to their community through an experience that goes well beyond the classroom. Applications to join can be requested at [email protected] or by calling 845-364-2930.
One of our greatest strengths is our youth which is why I devoted so many years to PTA and coaching our young people. I know from experience that when you get kids involved in their communities early in life it leads to a bright future.
