Molinaro Announces More Than $226K
in Learn, Play, Create Grant Awards
Second round of 2022 grants to enhance lives of children
and families adversely affected by COVID-19 pandemic
Poughkeepsie, NY … Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro today announced the second round of 2022 funding awards, totaling $226,900, as part of the County’s Learn, Play, Create: Supporting Our Kids grant program, which will fund 16 projects for local non-profit organizations that directly benefit children and families.
In 2022, $1 million in Learn, Play, Create (LPC) grants was available, split over two application rounds, the first of which was announced earlier this year. Grants of up to $20,000 were made available to non-profit organizations that directly serve youth in the areas of expanded learning, arts enrichment and sports engagement that were deprived of fundraising or participation due to the COVID-19 pandemic; last year, the LPC grant program provided $3 million in one-time grants to 147 similar local non-profit organizations.
To be eligible for this second round of awards, organizations needed to demonstrate how their use of funds meets one or more domains of the County’s Path to Promise, which ensures every child has access to the resources necessary to become successful young adults.
County Executive Molinaro said, “Dutchess County’s commitment to its young people is unparalleled, and the Learn, Play, Create grant program is the latest example of our pledge to help youth throughout our community reach their fullest potential. We have already seen programs funded through our LPC program make a real impact on thousands of kids of all ages and abilities, and we’re proud to support even more programs that will greatly impact local children and their families.”
Learn, Play, Create: Supporting Our Kids awards ($226,900 Total)
Arlington Rowing Association, $20,000
Rowing Equipment – Repair and replace damaged equipment; purchase new uniforms; provide land practice for athletes.
BSA Troop 3077 Poughquag, $18,000
Camping Supplies and Storage Trailer – Replace old, damaged camping equipment and purchase a trailer to store supplies.
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, $5,700
School Yard + Ecology Material Kits – Purchase material field kits for K-12 school yard ecology programs.
Church Street Community LTD, $20,000
Indoor and Outdoor Play Equipment – Replacement of aging indoor and outdoor play equipment for preschool.
Community Family Development, $20,000
Playground Enhancements – Purchase playground structures, equipment repairs and playground flooring for the community daycare center.
Dutchess County Cadet Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, $3,000
STEM Training Through Rocketry – Purchase of rockets, motors and launchers for youth to build and launch rockets.
FDR Wrestling Booster Club, $20,000
Updated Supplies for Athletes – Purchase portable mats, wrestling camera system, headgear, medical kits, clothing and supplies for the wrestling team.
Grupo Folklórico de Poughkeepsie, $10,000
Mexican Dance for Poughkeepsie Youth – Purchase of costumes, performance supplies, practice space rental and instructor fees for traditional Mexican dance performance.
Lourdes Rowing Association, Inc., $20,000
Equipment for High School Rowing Club – Purchase of coach’s boat, trailer and outboard motor for training and emergency response.
New York Theatre Organ Society, $3,200
NY Theatre Organ Musical Education Program – Provide funds for professional theatre organist to revive a musical education program on the installed American Theatre Organ at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School.
Poughkeepsie Crew Parents INC, $17,000
The Hudson will Help us Heal and Grow Stronger – Purchase new boat to enable all athletes to row daily.
River Cities Youth Inc., $10,000
Run for Life – Provide equipment, practice space and event fees for the youth running program.
Scouts BSA Troop 41, $20,000
Youth Outdoor Life Skills and Community Engagement – Replace outdoor camping equipment, supplies and tools; provide funding for camps and events.
The Black and Latino Coalition, $20,000
The Mighty Young Techs – Provide resources for a S.T.E.A.M. program which teaches participants to code and how to break down complex technologies.
West Side Theatrix, $20,000
Performance Opportunity for Youth – Provide a tuition-free theater experience for young performers to learn all aspects of performance including singing, directing, building play sets, costuming, lighting and sound.
Legislator Tony D’Aquanni said, “Children and families throughout Dutchess County are better off because of Learn, Play, Create grants, and I’m proud to have been among the County legislators who supported County Executive Molinaro’s vision for the program. This program has given opportunities to kids who lost so much during the pandemic – another example of Dutchess County’s ongoing commitment to our young people.”
The Learn, Play, Create grant program was announced in June 2021 as part of “Dutchess Invests,” County Executive Molinaro’s initiative to direct $57 million in one-time funding allocated to Dutchess County through the Federal Government’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) to areas the community has recognized as priorities. Earlier this year, County Executive Molinaro announced nearly $700,000 in awards through the first round of 2022 LPC funding.
Organizations which received Learn, Play, Create funding in 2021, as well as school districts, private and religious schools, including school-funded clubs and/or programs, and municipal-funded/sponsored departments or clubs were not eligible to apply in 2022.
