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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jenny Dembrow, Executive Director of Lower East Side Girls Club
4:52:29
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135 sec
Jenny Dembrow, Executive Director of the Lower East Side Girls Club, testifies about the organization's impact on young women and gender-expansive youth, highlighting their programs and services. She emphasizes the growing need for community-based youth programs due to increasing challenges faced by New York City's youth, including poverty and mental health issues.
- The Lower East Side Girls Club has been operating since 1996, offering free programming and services to youth from 27 ZIP codes.
- Dembrow reports financial challenges, including funding cuts and declining philanthropic support, leading to layoffs and program reductions.
- She requests $2,500,000 from the City Council for FY 2026 to stabilize the organization and continue its youth development work.
Jenny Dembrow
4:52:29
afternoon chair Stevens and members of the committee on children and youth and chair Brannan and members of the Finance Committee.
4:52:35
My name is Jenny Dembrough and I'm the executive director of the Lower East Side Girls Club.
4:52:40
I've been with the organization since its founding in 1996 when there were three boys clubs.
4:52:45
For nearly thirty years, thousands of young women, gender expansive youth, their families have benefited from our free programming services and initiatives.
4:52:53
We launched our center for well-being and happiness in 2022 with a core belief that the well-being of our young people is intimately connected to the well-being of their family and community.
4:53:04
We reach youth from 27 ZIP codes, nurturing safe spaces where young people can dream big, find their passions, and connect to peers and careers through free year round programming and mentoring.
4:53:15
Through our New Girl City Leadership Initiative and the STAR CGI Coalition, sponsored
Winette Saunders
4:53:21
by
Jenny Dembrow
4:53:21
the Women's Caucus, we are building a diverse pipeline of advocates, activists, policymakers for the future.
4:53:27
Our youth have been particularly impacted by the tumult of recent years.
4:53:31
Growing income inequality keeps hundreds of thousands of New York City children living in poverty.
4:53:36
Over 100,000 public school students live in temporary housing, An estimated thirty eight percent of New York City Teens report symptoms of depression.
4:53:45
Community based youth programs are essential to addressing the youth mental health and affordability crisis in New York City.
4:53:52
Despite the growing need, DYCD Sunseted Compass Explorer and with a change in the deliverables for the DYCD adolescent literacy program, we had to forgo the grant.
4:54:02
Currently, are navigating a challenging financial reality and stand at a critical inflection point Beyond government funding cuts, which include federal funds to our food pantry, we are also experiencing a steep decline in philanthropic support.
4:54:16
These challenges pose a direct and imminent risk to our ability to provide the vital services and programming so many youth rely on more than ever.
4:54:23
We have had to lay off 17 employees and cut back on our program offerings.
4:54:28
We are requesting 2,500,000.0 from the city council in f y twenty six to support the stabilization of the organization.
4:54:34
General operating support from the city council is critical in securing our legacy as a transformative force in youth development in New York City and expanding our impact for future generations.