United Way of Harrison-Purchase Announces 2013 Local Grant Recipients

July 2013 – United Way of Harrison-Purchase is pleased to announce the 2013 Local Presence Program grant recipients. Over $1,500 in grants was awarded following the recommendations of United Way Local Presence Committee Members.

These modest grants awarded by United Way’s Local Presence Program help fund local community-based human and health service organizations that do not currently receive United Way funding. Organizations that receive funding share with United Way the fundamental belief that education, income, and health are essential for a better life.

2013 Local Presence Grants were awarded to the Harrison Children’s Center and the Harrison Youth Council, Inc.

The Harrison Children’s Center has been serving children in the Harrison and surrounding communities since 1975 through educational childcare comprised of two early childhood centers and three after-school programs. The 2013 grant will be used to help create a "Family Support Room" in the West Harrison Early Childhood Program, an integrated pre-school program where 50% of the children have special needs. Parents can have privacy, meet with staff and specialists, and utilize parent support literature, books and other resources.

The Harrison Youth Council, Inc. is dedicated to providing a broad range of mental health and social services to at-risk children, teens and families within the Harrison community. It provides research-based educational prevention programs, parent support groups, presentations, and provides professional support through individual, family and group counseling, as well as consultation and referral. This grant will help support a special presentation at Harrison High School by an expert on substance abuse prevention and education on the development of the human brain, effects of environmental influences which manifest in reduced IQ scores and impulse control/judgment difficulties throughout life.  There will be a daytime component to students and an evening portion, presented to parents. 

About the United Way of Westchester and Putnam

For the past 50 years, United Way of Westchester and Putnam has operated with the fundamental belief that all people deserve a quality education, enough income to support a family, and opportunities for a healthy lifestyle. United Way works with agency partners, government, businesses and community leaders to solve problems that are too complex for any one entity alone. All contributions go toward improving the education, income, and health of the children, youth and families throughout Westchester and Putnam. United Way’s Hudson Valley Region 2-1-1, covering Westchester and Putnam as well as Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster counties, answers up to 500 calls and 1,000 online inquiries per day ranging from tax, heating, and mortgage questions to childcare, basic needs, natural disaster and crisis calls. United Way of Westchester and Putnam is at 336 Central Park Ave., White Plains, NY 10606. They can be reached at 914-997-6700 or by visiting www.uwwp.org. Follow United Way on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UnitedWayWP) and Twitter (@UnitedWayWP) for the latest news and updates.