ALBANY – Assembly Members Jonathan Jacobson (D, Newburgh), Didi Barrett (D, Hudson) and Kevin Cahill (D, Kingston) have secured the release of $1.6 million for 2020 state summer youth employment programs in the Hudson Valley.
After the three lawmakers learned the Division of the Budget had not yet released the $45 million that was approved in this year’s state budget, they contacted the governor and urged him to release the funding immediately so the program would not be lost this summer. That would have meant hundreds of disadvantaged youths would have lost their opportunity to learn and work this summer, they said.
“I believe that early work experience provides our youth with the necessary traits that will enhance their future employment prospects and earning potential – this is especially true for disadvantaged youth,” said Sheila Appel, chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Dutchess County Workforce Investment Board. “The ability for our young adults to have access to summer job programs provide them an opportunity to develop independence, responsibility and teach them interpersonal skills – all necessary for their long-term success.”
Dutchess County received $526,11; Orange County received $757,806; and Ulster County received $342,916.
