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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Robin Veenstra-VanderWeele, Associate Executive Director for Youth Services at Queens Community House

6:20:24

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159 sec

Robin Veenstra-VanderWeele testifies about the funding crisis for after-school programs in New York City, highlighting the urgent need for increased rates for DYCD Compass and SONYC programs. She emphasizes that current funding levels, set over a decade ago, are insufficient to meet the actual costs of running these essential programs for youth development and working families.

  • Current rates: $2,800 per participant for over 60% of COMPASS contracts
  • Proposed increases: Elementary school programs from $2,800 to $6,600; middle school programs from $3,200 to $5,500
  • Community-based organizations across the city are unable to sustain programs without rate increases, as the gap between city funding and actual costs continues to grow