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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Requea Hemingway, Senior Director of Figure Skating in Harlem
4:50:11
·
135 sec
Requea Hemingway, standing in for Jasmine Reid, testified on behalf of Figure Skating in Harlem, requesting increased funding parity through the STAR CGI initiative to expand their impact on young women in Harlem and The Bronx. The organization combines figure skating with education and leadership development, serving over 350 girls annually.
- Requested funding increase from current $79,000 to match similar organizations receiving up to $179,000
- Highlighted the program's impact on participants' confidence, perseverance, and life skills
- Emphasized the need for increased overall STAR funding to support critical youth programs
Requea Hemingway
4:50:11
Good afternoon Chair Stevens and members of the Youth Services Committee.
4:50:16
My name is Rikia Hemingway, I'm actually standing in for Jasmine Reid.
4:50:21
I am a senior director at Figure Skating in Harlem where we empower young women from Harlem in The Bronx through the unique combination education and leadership, development in the artistry and discipline of figure skating.
4:50:38
We are incredibly grateful for the council's support through the STAR CGI initiative, but today I am here to ask for equity both for figure skating in Harlem and for all organizations doing this critical work.
4:50:54
We are currently funded at 79,000, Sorry.
4:51:01
While similar organizations receive as much as a hundred and 70 9 thousand, we respectfully are requesting parity so we can meet the rising demands and expand our impact.
4:51:13
Figure skating in Harlem currently serves over 350 girls each year providing not only athletic training but also academic support, leadership development, and mental health resources.
4:51:26
Our program gives young women the tools they need to thrive both on and off the ice.
4:51:32
We have a testimony from one of our students.
4:51:36
She says, figure skating in the home has taught me to speak my mind, speak my truth, and let people know what I feel.
4:51:44
Being on a synchronized competitive team has taught me to overcome challenges and build relationships.
4:51:52
We didn't bring home first place medals, but we brought home perseverance, confidence, and most importantly we have fun doing our best.
4:52:01
Figure skating in home has shown me that my voice matters, that I can do hard things, and that I matter.
4:52:09
This is the kind of transformation your investment makes possible.
4:52:14
We are also asking the council to consider increasing the overall stars funding given the critical and growing
Althea Stevens
4:52:20
Ten seconds.
Requea Hemingway
4:52:21
Need for programs like ours.
4:52:24
Thank you chair Stevens.
4:52:26
Good