In a joint statement today, Gateway Youth Outreach and its Director Pat Boyle and State Assemblyman Thomas Alfano announced that Gateway Youth Outreach secured a state grant for $125,000 for youth programs in the community. The grant comes on the heels of other state funding and private resources that have assisted the youth organization during very difficult fiscal times for the County of Nassau.

Executive Director of GYO, Pat Boyle, stated, "This grant comes at a time that literally saved this agency's life and we have Assemblyman Tom Alfano and his counterparts in the Long Island Assembly and Senate delegations to thank. Their advocating for, and believing in, the services Gateway Youth Outreach Inc. provides is making it possible for us to once again support the levels of counseling, educational and recreational programming the members of our community deserve. The Advantage Schools money is especially earmarked to provide After School Homework Assistance Programming at the Gotham Avenue School. However, it will also impact the other schools in the Elmont district enabling us to increase the days and hours back to where it was before the Draconian cuts we experienced from Nassau County."

"I am so very pleased to announce this allocation with Pat Boyle today," said Assemblyman Alfano adding, "His hard work made this allocation happen - for my part, I was proud to write in support and coordinate our strategy in Albany on this important grant item." Alfano, a member of the Budget Conference Committee, lobbied state officials and members of the governor's staff for approval of the grant.

The grant item also received the support of the entire state legislative delegation from Nassau County. Senators Dean Skelos and Mike Balboni also voiced their support in the outlay.

Gateway Youth Outreach services some 1,600 children in Elmont and the surrounding areas. The organization offers a variety of services not limited to counseling services, after-school activities, reading and math tutorials and other services.

GYO also has trail blazed with local businesses and Alfano on Operation Clean Sweep Co-Op. Clean Sweep Co-Op was an idea that Boyle brought to the Elmont Chamber of Commerce and is widely acclaimed for its efforts in cleaning up Hempstead Turnpike. The program has received grants from Assemblyman Alfano and merchants since its inception. The program employs area youth in the enterprise. Locally, Elmont Chamber President Paul Sapienza and Boyle were the driving forces behind the plan that has expanded each and every year. Alfano supports the plan through grants he attains from the state budget.

Boyle continued, "GYO provides counseling, educational and recreational programming at no cost to residents of the Elmont Union Free and Sewanhaka Central High School District. The services we provide are high quality and allow working parents the comfort of knowing their children are well cared for after their day at school. The end result is a better family life and youngsters who are less tempted by drug and alcohol use as well as avoidance of situations that could lead to possible involvement with the criminal justice system."

Sister Evelyn Lamoureux stated, "I am proud to be a chairperson on the Board of Directors of GYO. We have a dedicated staff who believes in the youth of our community and works hard to provide services for them. The grant Assemblyman Alfano assisted us in acquiring enables us to provide the services that our youth deserve."

Anyone interested in assisting GYO in its efforts and mission in Elmont and surrounding areas can call 328-1550 to find out how they can get involved.