Mayor Kraham Announces $294K To Support Youth Services, Local Non-Profits

Mayor Kraham Announces $294K To Support Youth Services, Local Non-Profits

(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.) - Mayor Jared M. Kraham on Thursday announced $294,280 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to nonprofits in Binghamton, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Binghamton, VINES and Astor D. Rice Foundation.

This year, Binghamton's CDBG funds are being allocated to the following community service providers, with a focus on youth services:

• Astor D. Rice Foundation - $20,000 for afterschool programs

• Boys and Girls Club of Binghamton - $85,000 for its teen center, after-hours teen program and summer program

• Broome County Urban League - $23,760 for the ATTAIN Technology Center and afterschool and summer programs

• CARES - $40,000 for backpacks and the CARES DAD's Program

• Mothers and Babies Perinatal Network - $20,000 for the PAL Family Resource Center

• Safe Streets/NoMa Community Center - $15,520

• Triple Cities Makerspace - $10,000 for STEAM 4 All

• VINES - $35,000 for Grow Binghamton youth program

• Fairview Recovery Services - $25,000 for its Intensive Care Navigator program

The funding was approved by City Council at its September 16 business meeting.

Mayor Kraham said: "The City is investing in the providers and programs that are helping families and neighborhoods. Many of these investments are in youth programs, a priority of my administration over the past five years. These organizations deserve to build and expand services for those most in need in our community."

Amelia Lo Dolce, Executive Director of VINES said: "Support from the City of Binghamton's Community Development Block Grant program makes it possible for VINES to provide meaningful employment opportunities for local young people while connecting them to their community through urban agriculture. Grow Binghamton gives youth the chance to earn a paycheck, build practical job skills, take on leadership roles, and see the impact of their work firsthand. We're grateful to the City for investing in our young people and helping them grow."

Marybeth Smith, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Binghamton said: We are incredibly grateful to the City of Binghamton for its continued investment in our Club and the families we serve. CDBG funding helps the Boys & Girls Club of Binghamton provide what all young people deserve - a safe place to belong, caring adults who believe in them, and the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. This support allows us to reach the children who need us most, and we are deeply thankful to the City of Binghamton for being such an important partner in that work."