Albany County Legislature Awards Nearly $100,000 to School Districts, Non-Profits for Anti-Bullying, Youth Violence Prevention Programs

Post Date:09/26/2025 12:23 pm

ALBANY, NY - After a summer that saw a tragic number of youth violence incidents throughout Albany County, the Albany County Legislature awarded nearly $100,000 to 12 local school districts and non-profit organizations for anti-bullying and youth violence prevention programming serving and engaging young people within Albany County.

Funding is part of the Albany County Improvement Initiative, where the Albany County Legislature awards grants, in conjunction with the Albany County Department of Mental Health, Albany County Department of Children, Youth and Families, and the Albany County Executive's Office.

Photos are available here.

Awardees are:

• Academy of the Holy Names
• Albany Community Land Trust
• Bought Hills Elementary PTA
• Berne Knox Westerlo CSD
• Come Connect Church & Wills Barbershop
• Delmar Rotary
• From the Block to the Books
• Green Island UFSD
• Pine Hills Elementary School
• S&S Capital Consulting
• Sister to Sister Awakening
• Voorheesville CSD

Albany County Legislature Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham said: "Breaking cycles of bullying, harassment, and violence and guiding young people toward hope and prosperity is where all of these school districts and organizations come in. Ultimately, their work saves lives.

It redirects young people away from tragedy and towards hope. It gives young people a sense of safety, belonging, and acceptance. It creates confidence, opens opportunities, and restores trust. I am so thankful that we can support them."

Albany County Legislature Deputy Chairwoman Wanda Willingham said: "Each of these organizations is tangibly making a difference in our communities and school districts with some of our most impressionable, vulnerable, and sometimes overlooked young people. No one chooses to be bullied, but they can choose how they react to it. With guides and role models like these, I know our young people are in good hands."

Albany County Legislature Democratic Majority Leader Dennis Feeney said: "Through this grant funding, the Legislature is focusing county resources on our schools and our most vulnerable young people. Bullying now extends beyond the classroom to cell phones and online platforms. As the state works to curb cyberbullying in public schools, we are investing in programs that address these challenges and give students the support they need to succeed."

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said: "Our students should never have to wonder if they'll be safe at school, in an after-school program, or in their own neighborhood. This funding is about more than dollars; it's about giving teachers, mentors, and community leaders the tools they need to stop bullying and prevent violence before it starts. When young people feel supported and respected, they have the freedom to focus on learning, growing, and simply being kids. I'm proud that this program was made possible through the strong partnership and advocacy of our legislature, whose leadership ensured these resources could reach the communities that need them most."