Queens, NY – Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows) announced today $25,000 in funding for the Parsons Beacon program housed at the Parsons Community School. The Beacon Program, offered by The Child Center of NY, is a youth and community development center providing afterschool services and activities. Rozic’s announcement follows the nationwide celebration of Light on Afterschool which recognizes the critical role afterschool programs serve for children and families.

Rozic said, “From extracurricular activities to parental support services, Beacon Programs provide an invaluable benefit to students and families across the city. It is with great pleasure that I can support our very own Beacon Program at the Parsons Community School which has transformed into a vital space for expanded learning and opportunity.”

Rozic’s funding will help sustain a wide variety of programming including enrichment activities in leadership and civics, college and career readiness, and STEM. At Parsons Beacon, students have access to health and wellness services, sports and recreation, and visual and performing arts opportunities. Students can also participate in the Youth Advisory Council, NAACP Youth Council, or Girls Empowerment service-learning program.

Traci Donnelly, CEO, The Child Center of NY, said, “For a community center to be truly effective, the whole community needs to be invested in it, and that is why it is so encouraging to see a leader like Assemblywoman Rozic support the Beacon Center at the Parsons School. The funding the Assemblywoman is announcing today will go a long way to help children and families in Flushing get the opportunities they want and deserve. We could not provide the type of services we do without the help of committed partners like our Assemblywoman and we are grateful for her efforts.”

Talia Banks, Site Director, Parsons Beacon, said, “Thank you to Assemblywoman Nily Rozic for her continued support to our program! With support like this we are able to provide our youth, their families, and members of the community with the services and resources they need.”

In addition to funding for the Parsons Beacon program, Rozic has also allocated funding to Beacon programs operated by Commonpoint Queens at M.S. 158 Marie Curie in Bayside and M.S. 216 George J. Ryan in Fresh Meadows.

Rozic added, “New York’s families rely on afterschool and summer learning programs and now more than ever funding is critically needed to ensure access across communities."

In addition to funding for the Parsons Beacon program, Rozic has also allocated funding to Beacon programs operated by Commonpoint Queens at M.S. 158 Marie Curie in Bayside and M.S. 216 George J. Ryan in Fresh Meadows.

Rozic added, “New York’s families rely on afterschool and summer learning programs and now more than ever funding is critically needed to ensure access across communities.”