$20,000 Dyson Foundation Grant awarded to South Orange YMCA

MONROE - South Orange Family YMCA officials announced Wednesday afternoon that the Dutchess County-based Dyson Foundation has awarded the Y a $20,000 grant to establish a “Beat the Streets” program at the new Monroe facility. “We’re so thrilled about this,” said Linda Cellini, the Y’s development director. “This program will mirror the very popular program we have at the Middletown Y.” Beat the Streets is a program which will be created by South Orange YMCA youth for South Orange YMCA youth and facilitated by Y officials. Cellini said through this collaboration, the Y can offer area youth “an alternative from the streets and bring them into a safe and productive environment, while promoting social structure, community togetherness, and most importantly mentorship.” The program is designed for ages 10 to 12; with a separate group for ages 13 to 17. Y officials have already been in contact with officials from the Monroe-Woodbury School District to get the opinion of district officials about what specific programs should be developed. Cellini said programs will include art, theater and sports activities in addition to the establishment of different types of clubs. Meanwhile, the South Orange Family YMCA’s capital campaign continues to be in full swing, with officials already raising $140,000 of its $625,000 goal. The $625,000 is the remaining 24 percent needed in the $2.59 million project. Already, Y officials have secured a 10 year, $1.25 million construction loan; and are using $500,000 in investment reserves as well as $213,000 in net income from the Middletown YMCA. Cellini expressed confidence that the Y will meet its fund-raising goal and added that gifts can be pledged over a three year period. “No gift is too large or too small to make,” she said. “I have gifts from $25 to $100 to $5,000. Everything adds up and is important.”