Executive Director’s Message
The mission of the organization is to make a significant difference in the lives of families, woman, children and youth; were they can break the cycle of instability and learn to become independent self-sufficient through education, mentoring and learning new life skills.
This past year, we successfully created; The Planting a Seed Mentoring Program that addressed aggression and violence in youth. The programs design worked in conjunction with Economic Opportunity Counsel of Suffolk Inc., SNUGS Violence Prevention, Wyandanch location. The program had a series of 12 weekly age appropriated workshops available to high-risk and at -risk youth, an age range when violence-prone attitudes appear to increase and become entrenched.
The workshops included crisis intervention exercises, role play, lectures and guest speakers. We realized during the program, the youth we worked with had other challenges we were not prepared for; however, we address those needs throughout the 12 weeks. We provided hot meals along with hygiene products during our workshops. Once the twelve weeks were up, we realized the youth we worked with continued to have issues that still needed to be address.
As you all know, our world is nowadays passing through a challenging time as the pandemic COVID-19, has spread in populations across the world. This pandemic has forced cities buzzing with life and activity into complete lockdown, as authorities ramp up their efforts to quarantine those affected while enforcing and encouraging social distancing.
Young people have particularly been vulnerable to the disruptions the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, with many at risk of being left behind in education, economic opportunities, and health and wellbeing during a crucial stage of their life.
The coronavirus pandemic upended almost every aspect of school at once. It was not just the move from classrooms to computer screens. It tested basic ideas about instruction, attendance, testing, funding, the role of technology and the human connections that hold it all together.
The number of suicide attempts amid the COVID-19 pandemic increased 31%, teenagers seeking mental health treatment nearly doubled insurance claims amid the pandemic among adolescents and especially among females.
Even under normal circumstances services providers struggle to meet the needs of children and families experiencing homelessness. Millions of families are at risk of homelessness due to the impact of Covid-19. It has become more challenging for children experiencing homelessness to stay connected to school and more challenging for parents to find and keep employment and housing. State-run residential, group homes and programs in New York are faced funding crisis due to cuts from the state and federal government.
We are turning challenges into opportunities by introducing services, such as rewarding students with scholarships, providing hot meals during the day for needy kids working remote and providing crisis intervention workshops remotely.
This year we are honoring three community role models who have dedicated their life and inspired youth in their field of work. The scholarships will be in the name of our chosen honorees, awarded to youth they have worked with over the years. They are Coach and teacher Calvin Whitfield of Jamaica High school, Brian Vickers, (deceased) College Tour Mentor and Taisha Gist, SNUG Project Coordinator of Economic Opportunity Counsel of Suffolk Inc., SNUGS Violence Prevention Program. These individuals have continued to inspired growth and change in countless youth over the years. Please keep safe and may God bless you and your families in these challenging times.
Carol Whitfield-Vickers
Executive Director/Founder