BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI
Charities and community groups in south Queens were invited by Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder to apply for the Citizens Committee for New York’s Neighborhood Grants, which can deliver thousands of dollars toward community improvement projects.
The grants will award up to $3,000 to neighborhood groups and public school-based organizations that wish to improve the quality of life in southern Queens and Rockaway. Projects eligible for funding include community gardening, theater and fine arts programs, composting efforts, tenant organizations and more.
One of last year’s grant winners used the funding to start the first community compost drop-off site in Ozone Park at the Pitkin Community Garden. Another winner, the group Art Ventures, used the grant to plant lavender flowers around the Rockaway Artists Alliance T7 Gallery.
“The lavenders we bought helped beautify our gallery and many other sites across the Rockaway Peninsula. It really has been the gift that keeps on giving,” said Sophia Skeans, co-founder of Art Ventures.
Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder announced that appeals for grants will be collected until Jan. 25, 2016.
“We’re fortunate to have very engaged, active civic groups dedicated to improving our neighborhoods here in southern Queens and Rockaway,” said Assemblyman Goldfeder. “The Citizen’s Committee for New York Neighborhood Grants have allowed neighbors to come together and bring positive change to the whole community. I encourage eligible applicants to take advantage of this opportunity and apply for these Neighborhood Grants.”
Interested applicants should contact Goldfeder’s office at 718-945-9550 or goldfederp@assembly.state.ny.us.
