NEWBURGH – Independent Living, headquartered in the City of Newburgh, has received a two-year $510,000 grant from the state to create a youth center for those 12 to 17.
Independent Living President Doug Hovey told Mid-Hudson News that the center would be a place for those in that age group to expend their energy in a positive fashion.
Hovey said they are exploring sites in both the city and town of Newburgh.
“Ideally we would like to target the City of Newburgh and make sure that we are reaching kids that need extracurricular activities – things to do and good people to do them with – after-school activities, evening activities and weekend activities to keep them busy and keep their minds pre-occupied with positive things that help them to develop in the right path,” he said.
City Councilman Omari Shakur has made one of his missions to see a youth center developed and he was thrilled with this announcement.
“That’s the most vulnerable wages where they are either going to make the right choice or the bad choice, and this is the time that it’s very much needed because, right now there are programs in the City of Newburgh, but not programs specifically targeted for young people who need it,” he said.
Hovey said the program could potentially serve up to 200 young people per year and be up and running in the next month or so.
Ideally, the chosen location would have both indoor and outdoor facilities.
The $255,000-per-year grant would cover the costs of hiring two people, paying rent and other expenses.
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