Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Yasley Maldonado, Community Member from Sunset Park Brooklyn, on After-School Program Funding
4:56:36
·
103 sec
Yasley Maldonado, a parent and former participant of the Center for Family Life after-school program, testifies in support of securing expanded Compass grant seats for PS 516 and urges consideration for additional emergency funding to sustain the program. She emphasizes the program's importance for working parents and its positive impact on children's development.
- Maldonado requests 200 of the 5,000 expanded Compass grant seats proposed in the mayor's budget for PS 516 and the Center for Family Life.
- She shares personal experiences of how after-school programs benefit both children and working parents in low-income communities.
- Maldonado urges the city to invest in youth by protecting and funding after-school programs, especially in light of federal budget cuts impacting low-income communities of color.
Yasley Maldonado
4:56:36
Thank you very much.
4:56:38
Good afternoon New York City Council.
4:56:39
My name is Yasley Maldonado and I am a proud community member of Sunset Park Brooklyn.
4:56:44
A parent of a student in p s five sixteen after school program run by the Center for Family Life and also a former participant of the CFL after school program during my own childhood.
4:56:54
I'm writing to express my strong and heartfelt support for p s five sixteen and the Center for Family Life in their effort to secure 200 of the 5,000 expanded compass grant seats proposed in the mayor's budget and to urge consideration for any additional emergency funding that could help sustain this critical program.
4:57:11
Like many other parents in our community, I rely on this program to be able to work and provide for my family.
4:57:17
I work in the nonprofit sector helping adults across New York City find meaningful careers.
4:57:22
Without this after school program, not only would my own family be directly impacted, but so with the many job seekers who depend on my support as they navigate their employment journeys.
4:57:32
This program is not just childcare, it's a safe nurturing space where children grow through creativity, teamwork and a sense of belonging.
4:57:40
As a daughter of immigrant parents and someone raised in a low income household, programs like CFL were my only outlet to express myself creatively through dance, singing and community.
4:57:51
They gave me a voice and today I am proud that my children can share that same experience surrounded by a team that truly cares about every child's well-being.
4:57:59
As federal budget cuts continue to disproportionately impact low income communities of color, I urge the city to invest in our youth by protecting and funding their after school programs.
4:58:09
Please prioritize our community and allocation of compass seats and explore every avenue of funding available to keep this program running.
4:58:16
All children deserve it.
4:58:18
Thank you for your time and consideration.