New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced today that two transportation vans have been purchased for the Ossining Youth Bureau thanks to a $100,000 state grant he secured for the Village of Ossining.
The Ossining Youth Bureau has long recognized the need for safe, reliable transportation to help expose participants in its youth development programs to various opportunities. Now, with the purchase of two 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid minivans, each with the capacity to transport seven individuals, Youth Bureau participants will be able to benefit from a wide range of off-site programs and events that would otherwise be out of reach for many of Ossining’s youth.
“The Ossining Youth Bureau does incredible work mentoring young people and fostering education, civic engagement, wellness, and community,” said Harckham. “But for many participants, limited transportation makes it harder to take part in off-site programs and opportunities. I was proud to secure grant funding to help the Youth Bureau purchase two hybrid vans, giving more young people access to enriching experiences that broaden their horizons and support their personal and professional growth.”
Ossining Mayor Rika Levin said, “We are incredibly grateful to Senator Harckham for his continued investment in the Village of Ossining and our young people. This $100,000 CREST grant has allowed our Youth Bureau to add two new hybrid vehicles to its fleet, ensuring our kids have safe, reliable transportation to vital programs right now. These vehicles are already making a difference on our streets, advancing our village-wide commitment to environmental sustainability while expanding high-quality youth programming.”
While providing more activity and program opportunities for Ossining youth, the new transportation vans will save the Village money that would have been paid to get participants to programs and events outside of Ossining. This money can now instead be used to expand programming.
Last year, the Ossining Youth Bureau served almost 500 students and youth through its various programs, and this year the figure will reach 600 or more. The Youth Bureau is governed by a Youth Advisory Board comprised of elected officials, educators and other youth stakeholders, plus a Youth Council made up of youth leaders. The two groups work collaboratively to identify program needs and opportunities.
The new transportation vans will enable Ossining Youth Bureau participants to experience both short- and long-distance outings, such as to area museums, nature preserves and cultural sites, as well as to Albany, where they can meet with legislators and interact with policy makers.
Ossining Youth Bureau Director Chima Monday said, “Our mission is to connect Ossining’s youth with opportunities, and transportation should never be a barrier to that. Having these hybrid vehicles in our fleet ensures that our kids have consistent access to all of our enrichment and recreational programs. Thank you to Senator Harckham for investing in our day-to-day operations and helping us keep our youth moving forward in a sustainable way.”
