NYCHA Youth Leaders Win Grants
Two of NYCHA’s Youth Leadership Councils (YLC) were recently awarded $1,000 grants to host important projects in their communities.
NYCHA’s 15 YLCs give young people ages 14 to 21 who live in NYCHA developments and neighborhoods training to work with the agency’s leadership and partners so they can be part of the decision-making process on important issues that impact their community.
YLC Zone 5 and YLC Zone 7 received the grants from the Citizens Committee for New York City, a micro-funding organization, and NYC Service, an agency that encourages and engages New Yorkers in service. The grants were part of a Neighborhood Grants program for youth-led community projects. The YLCs — represented by Zone 5 facilitator Susan Unger and member Lauryn Henry and Zone 7 facilitator Gregory Duggins and member Ariel Perry Decamp — were presented with their checks in February.
“Whenever there’s a grant opportunity, we encourage our YLCs to apply to help them further the great work they are doing in their communities,” said Curtis Williams, Manager in NYCHA’s Resident Engagement Department. “We’re thankful to the Citizens Committee and NYC Service for the funding, and proud of our YLC members. I look forward to seeing how this grant helps them make change in their communities.”
YLC Zone 5, serving Bushwick and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, will host an anti-gun violence rally in April to remember the lives of people who have been hurt or lost due to gun violence. YLC Zone 7, serving Brownsville and East New York, Brooklyn, will use the funds to host up to 10 healthy living workshops, covering exercise and healthy eating to combat childhood obesity. These workshops will lead up to the YLC’s second annual Youth Health and Fitness Fair on April 26.
