Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins is pleased to announce that $3.1 million has been allocated in the 2026 budget to fund the County’s “
, administered by the Westchester County Youth Bureau.
The “Invest in Kids” program focuses on assisting “at risk” youth, ages 21 and under, in 11 urban communities: Elmsford, Greenburgh, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Ossining, Peekskill, Port Chester, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, White Plains and Yonkers. However, recent demographic and socio-economic shifts that have been identified throughout Westchester County expanded consideration to youth residing outside of the 11 municipalities.
In response to the September 2025 RFP, the Youth Bureau received 45% more proposals than in the previous funding cycle in 2022. The 63 programs across 45 agencies that were awarded funding will provide innovative, positive youth development services, and opportunities and supports in the following areas:
- Citizenship and Civic Engagement (youth leadership, cultural competency, racial equity)
- Community (youth activism, mentoring, community service)
- Economic Security (career development, life skills)
- Physical Health and Emotional Well-Being (seasonal activities like summer camp, opportunities for creative expression)
- Education (“out-of-school time” programming to support educational engagement, drop-out prevention services)
Jenkins said: “Despite an extremely challenging budget season created by the current Federal administration’s refusal to invest in our communities, as County Executive I remain committed to protecting the programs that residents rely on most. By allocating $3.1 million to ‘Invest in Kids,’ we are ensuring that critical funding continues to support those most in need, like the vulnerable youth in our community. Since 1993, “Invest in Kids” has been one of Westchester County’s most effective mechanisms for providing access to life changing opportunities for our vulnerable youth, and we aren’t going to starve it now. We fully recognize that an investment in today’s youth is an investment that will yield in the well-being, success and engagement of tomorrow’s adults.”
Westchester County Youth Bureau Executive Director Ernest McFadden said: “In recognition of both historical and emerging barriers — particularly those affecting children and youth at the highest risk of disconnection —the Youth Bureau issued its highly competitive 2026-28 funding opportunity to identify organizations best positioned to advance our strategic priorities.”
“Given the volume and quality of proposals received, award determinations were particularly difficult this year. The Youth Bureau awarded funding to successful respondents that demonstrated strong organizational capacity, readiness for strategic collaboration and alignment with our goals. Funded organizations will be expected to address the physical, economic, social, institutional, and other systemic challenges adversely impacting youth in Westchester County, through the implementation of evidence-based and culturally responsive programming. Awardees must further demonstrate the ability to fill critical service gaps, leverage partnerships and achieve measurable outcomes that indicate meaningful and sustained impact over time.”
Invest in Kids 2026-2028 Awardees:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County, Inc.
- Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle
- Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester
- Clay Art Center
- CLUSTER Community Services
- Daisy Dream Project, Inc.
- El Centro Hispano, Inc.
- Elizabeth Mascia Child Care Center
- Family Services of Westchester, Inc.
- Family Services Society of Yonkers
- Family Ties of Westchester, Inc.
- Girls Inc. of Westchester County
- G.O.O.D. for Girls, Inc.
- Groundwork Hudson Valley
- The Guidance Center of Westchester, Inc.
- Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation
- Latino U College Access, Inc.
- Lifting Up Westchester, Inc.
- Mount Vernon Youth Bureau
- My Sisters’ Place, Inc.
- New Rochelle Youth Bureau
- One World United and Virtuous, Inc.
- Ossining Village Youth Bureau
- Peekskill Youth Bureau
- Port Chester Carver Center
- Project Morry, Inc.
- Rye YMCA
- The STEM Alliance of Larchmont-Mamaroneck, Inc.
- Student Advocacy, Inc.
- Teatown Lake Reservation, Inc.
- Thomas H. Slater Center, Inc.
- Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers
- Ujamaa Community Development Corporation
- United Way of Westchester & Putnam, Inc.
- Volunteer NewYork!
- Westchester Ballet Company
- Westchester Jewish Community Services
- White Plains Library Foundation
- White Plains Youth Bureau
- YMCA of Central & Northern Westchester
- YMCA of Yonkers Inc.
- Yonkers Partners in Education, Inc.
- Youth Shelter Program of Westchester, Inc.
- YWCA of White Plains & Central Westchester
- YWCA of Yonkers
