L-R-Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie, Assembly member Dana Levenberg, Cynthia Knox, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie
Kids say thank you Speaker Heastie at Lepore Park
Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour Sept. 15, with 95th District Assemblymember Dana Levenberg in Peekskill, making stops at the Field Library, Iron Vine, Blondery, the Peekskill Youth Bureau and Lepore Park. Along the way, they distributed over $1.9 million in grant funding.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity every year to visit our incredible communities and connect with New Yorkers across the state,” said Speaker Heastie. “Today, I was able to meet two small business owners, a community group committed to helping our children thrive academically and another ensuring that no child is left out of play. I’m proud the Assembly Majority can support our local communities as they continue to thrive.”
“Peekskill is a city on the rise and it is because we invest in our people,” said Assemblymember Levenberg. “I am honored to showcase the incredible work these community members are doing to build the future of this great city by supporting our youth and making sure everyone has a chance to succeed.”
“It is an honor to host Speaker Heastie here in Peekskill,” said Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie. “Our city is committed to fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. On behalf of the City, I thank you and Assemblymember Levenberg for your support of the work we are doing.”
Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Levenberg began their day at the Field Library to meet with officials and award $110,000 in funding to support a Spanish language collection and other resources to help new immigrants and asylum seekers in the region, while also helping the library make structural improvements.
They also stopped at Iron Vine to meet with Cynthia Knox, chief executive officer of CHHOP (Caring For The Hungry & Homeless Of Peekskill), giving $30,000 to her organization for improvements to their building and infrastructure.
Next, Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Levenberg visited the Peekskill Youth Bureau to meet with students from Peekskill High School who are members of the Youth Bureau, Black Diamonds Academic Success, My Brother’s Keeper and the Girls Empowerment Movement and Sisterhood (GEMS). The Youth Bureau is run by the city to promote the empowerment and well-being of all youth in the community. Black Diamonds Academic Success is dedicated to mentoring young men of color to become high-achieving students throughout high school and into their college careers. My Brother’s Keeper and GEMS are school district-sponsored programs that help teens develop leadership skills while mentoring other youth. Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Levenberg also presented the Youth Bureau with a $125,000 check from the Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability and Technology (CREST) Program secured by Assemblymember Levenberg to support renovations.
The final stop of the day was Lepore Park, where Speaker Heastie announced $1.7 million in funding to support ADA-accessible playground equipment and park surfacing at parks throughout Peekskill. These funds will enable a shuttered playground to reopen and support three others in achieving safety upgrades and greater accessibility.
“I am so grateful to the Speaker for visiting us on his tour and supporting these efforts,” said Assemblymember Levenberg.
