New York Junior League Selects Union Settlement Association as 2015 Community Impact Partner
Awards $50,000 grant for community center renovations. Ribbon-cutting held at Washington Community Center to celebrate completion of project.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2015
MEDIA CONTACT
Lillian Sevilla: 646-672-5083
Kabi DeGeer: externalcommunications@nyjl.org
NEW YORK JUNIOR LEAGUE SELECTS UNION SETTLEMENT ASSOCIATION AS 2015 COMMUNITY IMPACT PARTNER AWARDS $50,000 GRANT FOR COMMUNITY CENTER RENOVATIONS
Ribbon-cutting held at Washington Community Center to celebrate successful completion of the project
New York, NY – May 6, 2015 – Union Settlement Association today unveils the newly renovated Education Center in the Washington Houses Community Center, which was carried out with a $50,000 grant and volunteer services from the New York Junior League (NYJL). The NYJL selected Union Settlement as its Community Impact Partner (CIP) for the 2015 calendar year.
Dozens of New York Junior League members have volunteered hundreds of hours during the last two months to refurbish and repaint the large Education Center in the Washington Houses Community Center and install improved lighting and learning tools. The 2,500-square foot Community Center is the hub of Union Settlement’s Youth programs which serve hundreds of both children and youth each day. The Center is a hive of activity from academics, to arts, to college counseling, to social events and much more. Currently, the Education Center hosts Union Settlement’s high school equivalency classes in the morning, which teach about 40 students each day, and about 120 children in after-school programming, which offers children ages 5 to 12 a fun, stimulating environment where individual growth and development in a group setting is encouraged.
“For nearly 115 years, New York Junior League volunteers have been dedicated to improving the lives of our neighbor New Yorkers and we were delighted to help Union Settlement create this vibrant and innovative space through our Community Improvement Project,” said Stacey Lawrence Lee, President of the New York Junior League. “We look forward to partnering with Union Settlement on other projects in the future.”
“Making improvements to Union Settlement’s facilities is a major component of our strategic plan, because we want our spaces to be attractive and welcoming for participants in our programs,” said David Nocenti, Executive Director. “We are so very thankful that the New York Junior League is supporting this renovation which will benefit East Harlem children for years to come.
About The New York Junior League
The New York Junior League (NYJL) is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The NYJL reaches out to women of all races, religions and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism. For more information on the NYJL, please visit www.nyjl.org.
About Union Settlement
Union Settlement Association is an on-the-ground resource for East Harlem residents of all ages, and a passionate advocate for the needs of underserved communities. Since opening its doors in 1895, we have brought education, wellness and community-building programs to the East Harlem community, empowering New Yorkers with opportunities to better their lives. More than 350 staff members work at the organization, and its services impact 10,000 people in our community every year. By helping its neighbors realize their goals, Union Settlement builds the vitality and success of East Harlem. For more information, visit www.unionsettlement.org.
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