By Gabriel Rom
The Central Queens Y recently honored state Sen. Toby Stavisky for giving it a $525,000 capital grant to fund renovations at the Central Queens Y and the Samuel Field Y.
The money, which came from Stavisky’s 2009 capital funds budget, allowed the Central Queens Y to upgrade its nursery facilities and design an entryway to the playground, among other improvements. The Samuel Field Y in Bay Terrance will also now enjoy an upgraded water line system.
“This assistance was incredibly impactful. It helps us stay as an inclusive and engaging community,” said Jeri Mendelsohn the executive vice president and CEO of Samuel Field and Central Queens Y’s.
That sense of inclusivity and diversity are what drove Stavisky to choose the facilities for funding.
“They run programs for really everybody. When I was at the Central Queens Y, I saw everyone from little children to senior citizens, every nationality, every ethnicity, every age group. That’s what I find to be remarkable about this particular Y. There is so much criticism of discretionary funding these days, but this is money well spent. This is an example of the community benefiting,” Stavisky said.
Reach reporter Gabriel Rom by e-mail at grom@
