Calling Gateway Youth Outreach an organization that makes a difference in the community, Assemblyman Tom Alfano has announced that he was able to secure a $15,000 grant item in the New York State budget for youth programs. The grant item is earmarked for youth programs in the 22nd Assembly District. As a member of the Assembly leadership, Alfano was able to secure the items through budgetary negotiations.

"Although this was the most contentious budget negotiation that I have been involved with since my election to the Assembly, I am very pleased that I was able to secure this funding for Gateway Youth Outreach," Alfano stated.

"Gateway Youth Outreach makes a difference for our young people," said Assemblyman Alfano adding "Their work in our community has made a positive impact in the lives of our young people."

Gateway Youth Outreach Director Pat Boyle said "These funds are coming in at a time when we may have been forced to suspend operations at the Gotham Avenue School. Assemblyman Alfano has literally saved this program for another year. Gateway is excited to work with the schools, community and Assemblyman Alfano to best serve this deserving community."

The grant item is the second Assembly member item Alfano has channeled to the organization. Previous programs sponsored by Alfano and GYO included the trailblazing public/private effort "Operation Clean-Sweep Co-Op" and an after-school tutorial program sponsored for students in the Elmont Union Free School District. "What these programs have in common is the fact they touch the lives of families right here in our community," said Alfano.

"Operation Clean-Sweep Co-Op" employs at-risk youth beautifying the business district of Hempstead Turnpike. The tutorial program initiative tutored well over 200 students in the Elmont Union Free School District.

"It's great to know that we have an ongoing working partnership with Assemblyman Alfano. He's definitely not a one-shot wonder for Elmont or Gateway. We can depend on his support for the young people of this community," stated GYO Director Pat Boyle.

"GYO will continue to make a difference in Elmont and the surrounding communities," said Assemblyman Alfano adding "I'm very pleased to be a part of their community family."

Assemblyman Tom Alfano won a grant item in the New York State budget for $10,000 for a reading and tutorial program. The grant item will continue a program Alfano began with the school district that tutored over 400 children in reading and math last year. As a member of the Assembly Leadership, Alfano was able to secure the items through budgetary negotiations.

"This grant will continue the work that the Elmont Union Free School District does with students in tutoring children with reading and math skills" said Assemblyman Alfano. The program started last year with a $10,000 bullet aid grant Alfano secured for the district. the program has been called a great success by the district and parents whose children have benefited from the tutoring.

Dr. Maria Palandra, superintendent of the Elmont School District said "we are very grateful for the genuine interest in education and children's reading that Assemblyman Alfano has shown our students. We thank him for providing the funding for this very worthwhile program."

Deanna Doreson, president of the Elmont School Board of Education said "It's wonderful that we have an assemblyman who is so involved in education, he really cares about the people who he represents. His tremendous support and hard work benefits the children of our community. Tom Alfano really makes a difference for our community."

The grant item will be transferred to the Elmont School District where Superintendent Palandra and members of the board of education will appropriate the money for the program.

"The tutorial program in the Elmont School District helps children achieve their dreams by affording them the opportunity to get a good education. I look forward to working with the district in helping them achieve just that," Alfano concluded.

Delivering on his promise to continue to support the refurbishment of the West Hempstead High School library, Assemblyman Tom Alfano won a grant item in the New York State budget for $10,000 for the purposes of purchasing library resource materials. The grant item is in addition to a $50,000 grant the assemblyman secured last fall for library reconstruction. As a member of the assembly leadership, Alfano was able to secure the items through budgetary negotiations.

"This budgetary process has been very difficult for many people from healthcare funding to our local schools. That's why I am especially pleased that I was able to secure this grant for the West Hempstead School District," said Assemblyman Alfano.

"This grant item will allow the West Hempstead School District to purchase books, computer programs or whatever is needed for the high school library," said Assemblyman Alfano. "Once construction and refurbishment is complete, the library will be state of the art for the students at West Hempstead High School," Alfano stated.

West Hempstead School Board President James Mariano said "On the behalf of the board of education, I'd like to express our appreciation for Tom's generosity to the West Hempstead Community School District and students in helping complete the moderization of the high school library. Again, he shows his unending care and support for our students."

Superintendent Carol Eisenberg said "Once again, Assemblyman Alfano proves that he is a friend of the West Hempstead schools. Because of Tom Alfano's diligent pursuit in securing funds for our high school library, the students of West Hempstead will not only enjoy the change of decor (early 1950s) but will benefit from the tremendous reservoir of knowledge that a state-of-the-art library can provide."

The grant item will be transferred to the West Hempstead School District where Superintendent Carol Eisenberg and members of the board of education will purchase the materials for the library. "Superintendent Eisenberg and the members of the board of education will determine the needs of the library and will be able to appropriate the money how they see fit," said Alfano.

"I look forward to working with the West Hempstead School District on many projects in the future," said Assemblyman Alfano adding "the positive working relationship I have with the board of Education and Superintendent Eisenberg made this grant happen."

Calling the Elmont Chamber of Commerce a vital part of the Elmont community, Assemblyman Tom Alfano announced that he was able to secure a $5,000 grant item for the chamber from the New York State budget. The grant item will be used for the partnership project between Alfano, the Elmont Chamber and Gateway Youth Outreach's Operation Clean-Sweep Co-Op. As a member of the Assembly leadership, Alfano was able to secure the items through budgetary negotiations.

Operation Clean-Sweep was drafted by the collective efforts of chamber President Paul Sapienza, Gateway Director Pat Boyle and Assemblyman Alfano.

"I'm very pleased to have been able to secure this grant item for the Elmont Chamber of Commerce," said Assemblyman Alfano. "Operation Clean-Sweep is a program that I am very proud of," said Alfano.

"I believe that Clean-Sweep Co-Op is the only such program in Nassau County," Alfano said adding "that's why I am so proud of the successful efforts that these youth make in working in our business district."

Elmont Chamber of Commerce Paul Sapienza said "Without this funding we would be hand-tied. The chamber doesn't solicit the public for funding of this special program. This grant couldn't have happened without Assemblyman Alfano's assistance."

Sapienza added that the funding helps employ youth by cleaning the storefronts on Hempstead Turnpike. Alfano, Boyle and Sapienza hope the youth working with the program may be able to parlay their work into a business.

This is the second year that Operation Clean-Sweep Co-Op is in existence. "We hope that this program continues to instill pride in our community," said Assemblyman Alfano.

The grant item will be transferred to the Elmont Chamber of Commerce where the executive board will allocate the funding to Gateway Youth Outreach.

"Paul Sapienza and the chamber board do a great job for the business district and community," said Alfano concluding "I look forward to continuing to work with Paul Sapienza, the chamber and Gateway Director Pat Boyle on many more projects in the future."

Calling the Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce a vital part of the Franklin Square community, Assemblyman Tom Alfano announced that he was able to secure a $5,000 grant item for the chamber from the New York State budget. The grant item will be used for its holiday lighting celebrations. As a member of the Assembly leadership, Alfano was able to secure the items through the budgetary negotiations.

"I'm very pleased to have been able to secure this grant item for the Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce," said Assemblyman Alfano. "Although the budget process needs to be reformed, I am very grateful that I was able to secure this funding." "This grant item will help enhance the chamber's work throughout the Franklin Square community," Alfano stated.

Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce Bruno Caracciolo said "The Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce would like to thank Assemblyman Alfano for winning this grant for the chamber. It will be put to great use in bettering the Franklin Square community."

Chamber of Commerce Member Carla Cohen added "the chamber owes a great debt of gratitude to Assemblyman Alfano for his interest, hard work and responsiveness. Be assured, that these funds will be put to great use for the improvement of the entire community."

Holiday lighting chairman Frank Cutolo added "The chamber's holiday lighting committee has worked hard with Franklin Square business to make the holiday season festive in our community, Assemblyman Alfano's grant is a great addition."

The grant item will be transferred to the Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce where the executive board will allocate the funding to benefit the chamber's activities. "Bruno Carraciolo and the board do a great job for the business district and community," said Alfano concluding "I look forward to taking part in their activities in the upcoming months."

The Franklin Square Munson Fire Department Explorer Post will be getting training and uniforms thanks to a line item in the New York State budget inserted by Assemblyman Tom Alfano. The assemblyman announced that he was able to secure the $5,000 grant item for the Explorers and their training activities. As a member of the Assembly leadership, Alfano was able to secure the items through the budgetary negotiations.

"The Explorers are the firefighters of tomorrow" said Assemblyman Alfano. "This grant item will go a long way in their training and preparing them for the challenges ahead of them as firefighters," Alfano stated.

Acting Fire Chief Ken Doerrbecker said "the department truly appreciates this grant for the Explorer post. The money will be used to further train and aid the explorers in taking their next step in becoming firefighters."

Fire Commissioner Lou Collins added "This money is going to go towards the purchase of coats, boots, helmets and other equipment for the Explorers. I thank Tom Alfano for all his work on behalf of the Explorers."

The grant item will be transferred to the fire department where the commissioners will appropriate the money to the Explorers.