(Bellport, N.Y.)

Lowe’s underwrites the Habitat for Humanity Women Build program, bringing women from all walks of life together to learn construction skills and then use those skills to be part of the solution to poverty housing. Lowe’s provided a $50,000 grant to sponsor the Rountree home. 

Yolanda Rountree is a hard working single parent with two children, Michael, 12, and Amiya, 9. Rountree has two jobs. She is employed as a cook and a receptionist.  The family’s journey has been a difficult one.  They have moved five times in the past eight years and have lived in unsafe, unhealthy and cramped quarters, according to Les Scheinfeld, Associate Director for HFHS.   “We will be forever grateful to each and every person who had anything to do with making our dream become our reality,” said Rountree.

In addition to Lowe’s, Habitat Suffolk receives support from The Roslyn Savings Foundation for the Women Build program.

Lowe’s is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country.  In 2008, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $25 million to support community and education projects in the United States and Canada. Lowe’s also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe’s Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative.  Lowe’s is a FORTUNE® 50 company with fiscal year 2008 sales of $48.2 billion and has more than 1,650 stores in the United States and Canada.  For more information, visit Lowes.com/community.

Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry dedicated to building decent, affordable housing in partnership with those in need in Suffolk County  Since 1987, Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk has helped to house 131 families.  For more information, visit www.habitatsuffolk.org and www.habitat.org.

The Task Force was formed to address a growing concern by community members, youth facility staff, and law enforcement officials who cited the closure of 14 youth facilities and reporting centers throughout the state, along with newly implemented policies set forth by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), as the reason for a rise in youth violence.

“This year’s budget included a systematic upheaval of the entire juvenile justice system in this state, without any clear proof this new misguided system is going to work,” said Senator Young. “The safety of the public has been compromised because troubled youths are not getting the urgent treatment and attention that are needed.”

“Those who voted to close these facilities should be ashamed, and anyone who instituted policies that have led to an increase in violence should be held accountable.  Brick-by-brick the Governor and OCFS Commissioner Carrion are dismantling a system at the tragic cost of seeing families forced to bury their loved ones,” added Sen. Young.

The announcement of the Task Force comes in the wake of the brutal June 8 murder of 24-year-old Renee Greco, an employee at a youth home in Lockport, New York, allegedly at the hands of  two teenage residents.

“The shocking and cold blooded bludgeoning that took place at this facility begs the question if this heinous act could have been avoided had the two youths charged in this case been properly placed in a facility better suited to address to their violent tendencies,” said Sen. Young.

“There’s just such a complete lack of accountability,” Senator George D. Maziarz (R-C, Newfane) said.  “Every day there is more news of violence in one of these facilities or that a resident is unaccounted for out in the community.  Violent juveniles are inappropriately being placed in these facilities and OCFS, as the gatekeeper of these homes, is putting everyone at risk – the community, the staff, and other juveniles within the home.  A drastic overhaul needs to be done and the start of that process is this Juvenile Task Force.”

“This task force is an important first step to address growing concerns that our juvenile justice system is dysfunctional, dangerous to clients, staff and the community, and the reason why we need to take a closer look and find out where we can make improvements,” said Senator Dale M. Volker.  “We all want to do what is best for these at-risk kids so that they can become productive citizens and assets to their communities.  At this moment, it is obvious that the State of New York can do better to reform these young people and get them back on the right track.  By taking a hard look at the system, we will be able to get better results, and at the same time improve the safety of staff and the communities in which these facilities are located.”

Members of the Task Force have pointed to the Lockport incident as an example of a disturbing trend emerging in relation to violent youths and residential services. In February, Rochester Police Officer Anthony DiPonzio sustained a life-threatening and debilitating injury when he was shot in the back of his head by a juvenile who had run away from a private state-licensed facility.

Senator Joseph Robach said, “We all want the youth of our community to grow up with a good support system in the form of a good education and opportunities that will help guide them to become productive, law-abiding citizens.  Unfortunately, when a young person follows the wrong path and commits a heinous, violent crime we have no choice but to ensure the safety of the community and the people who work at youth facilities by providing for these dangerous offenders to be located in a more secure juvenile detention center.  The tragic shooting of Officer Anthony DiPonzio by a youth in Rochester is just one example of why we need a task force to review and reform our Juvenile Justice System.”

“During the recent budget debate, I warned the Senate Democrats who supported Governor’s Paterson’s budget that they were giving the Governor unprecedented authority to close State detention facilities and there would be significant repercussions to Upstate New York,” said Senator Mike Nozzolio. “By closing badly needed juvenile justice facilities, crime rates will undoubtedly increase and the safety of our communities will be jeopardized. We must correct this dangerous mistake before even more tragedy occurs.”

In August of last year, a security guard at the Tryon Residential Center in Johnstown, NY suffered a stroke and died a month after he was hit in the head with a wooden club by a teenage resident.  Months after the incident, several employees sought and obtained orders of protection so they could come to work.

“Staff has become targeted and put at risk by street smart kids who are taking advantage of the loopholes in the new system,” said Senator Hugh Farley (R, C - Schenectady).  “Security and other staff members are concerned for their safety and at some facilities they have even sought orders of protection against some of the more violent residents.”  

As a result of this year’s budget, Governor Paterson ordered the closing of nine juvenile detention and reporting centers including: Adirondack Residential Center in Clinton County, the Cattaraugus Residential Center and Great Valley Residential Center in Cattaraugus County, the Pyramid Reception Center in the Bronx, the Rochester Community Residential Home in Monroe County, and the Syracuse Community Residential Home in Onondaga County.  Three Evening Reporting Centers (ERC) were also closed including the Capital District ERC, the Buffalo ERC, and the Syracuse ERC.  Tryon Residential Center in Johnstown, and Allen Residential Center in South Kortright, were subject to downsizing and additional budget cuts.

Last year, five other OCFS run facilities were closed including Auburn Residential in Cayuga County, Adirondack Wilderness Program in Clinton County, Brace Residential in Delaware County, Cass Residential in Albany County, and Gloversville Group Home in Fulton County.  Lansing Residential in Tompkins County was downsized by 50 percent.

Senator Marty Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) stated, “As a former New York City Police Officer, I believe this new task force to be one charged with tremendous responsibility.  The closure of six youth detention facilities across our State have, and will, continue impact the public safety of all New Yorkers.  When the task force meets for the first time, we are going to find that we are losing control of our troubled youth instead of helping them get their lives back on track.  This fails New York’s families and New York’s future.  We must work to change that.”

“The most important thing at these facilities is the safety of residents as well as employees,” said Senator Betty Little.  “Many of these youths are deeply troubled and potentially violent.  They deserve a fully functioning system that is going to help them recover, learn to make better choices and grow in preparation of reentering society.  Likewise, the employees of this agency need and deserve the reassurance that everything is being done to ensure their work environment is as safe as possible.”

State Senator John Bonacic (R-I-C – Mt. Hope) said, “Keeping employees safe in OCFS facilities must be our first priority.   Employee after employee tells me they have lost faith in the management of OCFS.   Juvenile justice requires the goal to be justice - for both the victim of juvenile crime and for the juvenile offender.  The OCFS leadership has failed both crime victims and the young people they are supposed to be rehabilitating.”

On top of the budget cuts, Task Force members said a continued breakdown in discipline and escalating violence at remaining facilities has resulted from new “misguided” policies initiated by OCFS Commissioner Carrion.  The agency has emphasized a new “therapeutic approach” that strips the ability of staffers to maintain discipline and assert control when necessary.

“One of the new policies has employees being told to reduce from seven to three the types of situations where they can use physical force to restrain hostile inmates that pose a serious threat,” said Senator Young. “Attacks on staff are becoming more brutal by the day and some employees have even reached a point where they are afraid to go to work.  Staffers need the level of control that allows for better structure and guidance these troubled youths need.”

Tutor Time, through the E.O.C. of Suffolk, received a Community Service Block Grant to subsidize the Rock N Tots program. This grant also enabled Tutor Time to purchase musical instruments and to pay for a music instructor to come once a week for 3 hours. The program educates and exposes the children in different cultural, genres of music, and music appreciation. The children experience different musical instruments and are introduced to the many ways music is made.

Carla Friend is the lead teacher for the program. “The children look forward to Carla’s visits and the parents have expressed their astonishment on how their children are growing and learning. Many children have enhanced their social and language skills through this program” said Carol Kelly, Director of Tutor Time Patchogue.

Currently they have 116 enrolled in the music program ages 2 to 5; a team of Music School Inc’s music education specialists developed this Rock N Tots program. The program is run by the Suffolk County EOC. The Grant money came from the state.

Music School Inc is the premier private music lesson service on Long Island. They provide in-home, in studio, one-on-one, group and private lessons. Music School Inc offers enjoyable and educational lessons that are available for children and adults. The school offers many different programs and a diverse faculty, as well.
 
“Our relationship with Tutor Time is an example of another great enhancement to the programs we offer” said Jared Feldman, President of Music School Inc.

Music School Inc has an office in Mineola which serves as the company’s corporate headquarters, as well as a piano studio, while the company establishes an additional location in Carle Place, set to open in the Fall of 2009.
 
Music School Inc has also made news recently with their widely successful “Drum Fight” and “Unsigned Band Festival” series at The Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale, and through their partnership with the Drums and Disabilities Program.
 
For more info on Music School Inc, please call 516-280-6191 or check out http://www.musicschoolinc.com

For more info on Tutor Time, contact: Tutor Time of East Patchogue, 655 East Main Street, East Patchogue NY 11772, (631) 475-7239

(Long Island, N.Y.) Retrofest specializes in non-profit charity productions featuring the best music from the Festivals of the late 60s through early 70s.  On Thursday September 10, 2009 from 6:30pm – 11:30pm, Retro69, as well as several other acts, will perform the music of Woodstock , just in time for the legendary event’s 40th Anniversary.  The concert will closely follow the order and instrumentation from the original experience, including covers from Santana, Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, Jimi Hendrix, CSNY, and CCR.  The Benefit will take place on September 10, 2009 at The Triad Theater located at 158 West 72nd Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West.
 
All proceeds will benefit The Max’s Kansas Project, which embraces the philosophy of Mickey Ruskin, the creator of Max’s Kansas City , and was established in his memory in 2001.  The foundation for the Max’s Kansas Project was laid when Mickey Ruskin opened the doors to the legendary restaurant/bar/club in New York City on December 6, 1965.  He was a true patron of the arts who provided a refuge, a home-away-from-home for everybody who was anybody in the arts, many of whom are now famous.  Since Max’s was known to cross boundaries of generations, to connect the old with the new and embrace the youth of the future as well as established artists, the Max’s Kansas City Project has expanded its scope to include an interactive online cyber cafe for teens and adolescents, www.dropin2maxs.com.
 
The Max’s Kansas Project is dedicated to providing emergency funding and resources to financially distressed individuals in the creative and performing arts for housing, medical and legal aid. One time grants are awarded ranging from $500-$1000.  Special consideration is given, but not limited to, Max’s Kansas City ’s extended family, (those who worked at Max’s or were Max’s patrons).

They are also committed to empowering teens through the arts with a focus on substance abuse and suicide prevention by mentoring and motivating them to make healthy choices, offering an ongoing process to aid them in building the personal skills needed to inspire them to lead healthy, productive lives.  Their Fearless Youth Program is characterized by a positive skills building approach, introducing teens to the creative arts as an outlet to meet the challenges of life in constructive ways, mentoring them and raising awareness on the dangers and consequences of substance abuse and addiction.
 
The music will run non-stop from 6:30 to 11:30pm, featuring headliners who had been part of the 1960’s music scene.  The performers will be backed by a house band comprised of employees of A.S.C.A.P. and Retro69.  Rounding out the bill will be several other 1960s era tribute bands.
 
For more information about the event visit www.retro69.com, www.maxskansascity.org. or www.triadnyc.com.

(Long Island, N.Y.) —

Starting with only $15,000, Blanca’s House, a non-profit organization has been able to help over 400 patients since May, 2008. What started out as a thought in the village of Port Jefferson, NY, Blanca’s House has turned into a gathering of doctors, nurses, and other specialists traveling overseas to rise to the occasion to accomplish one thing: Help. The organization has already planned their next mission to Rivas, Nicaragua, in September 2009, where they will continue to provide care for those who are in need of this help the most. The Medical Team and other volunteers donate their time, their knowledge and most of all their compassion.

On May 21st 2009, Long Island-based volunteers traveled to Babahoyo, Ecuador to help those not fortunate enough to have access to medical procedures, and, in many cases were desperate for medical help. Men, women and children traveled from all over the areas surrounding Babahoyo, some for three or four hours, to sit and wait to see one of the volunteering doctors and/or other specialists, hoping to be helped.

One such patient was a man who was pained with a tumor on his forehead the size of a large man’s fist. Embarrassed by his appearance, the man would wear a baseball hat to cover the protrusion that he faced everyday. The medical volunteers, although fluent in Spanish, had trouble speaking with the man, as he was withdrawn and was not likely to make eye contact with anyone. A surgery was conducted to remove the tumor, as well as to place a skin graft to improve the appearance of the area. In recovery, family surrounded the man, crying with tears of joy that their beloved father, brother and husband could lead a normal, happy, and most importantly, healthy life. The once shy, insecure man was beaming, holding two thumbs up to express to the staff how happy he was. His life would be different now, due to the selflessness of the courageous and talented volunteers of Blanca’s House.

Blanca’s House volunteers, both medical and junior volunteers pay for their travel and room and board expenses. The volunteer list grows, by word of mouth, with every new mission. It addition to Long Island, volunteers now come from Georgia, Kentucky and Alabama.

Blanca’s House is a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit organization, established in 2008, that continues to help those in need, even out of the Operating room, bringing care packages to schools and providing uniforms and shoes to those who cannot afford it. This is just another way that Blanca’s House impacts the lives of thousands in need.

To Donate to Blanca’s House:  Personal Check or Money Order to

Blanca’s House PO Box 363 Hicksville, NY 11802-0362

For more information about Blanca’s House please visit www.blancashouse.com

Call 631-283-1166
www.SouthamptonInn.com

 (Long Island, NY) -

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(Long Island, N.Y.) Starting Monday (June 22), Verizon FiOS TV subscribers on Long Island in New York and in nine counties in northern New Jersey have exciting new choices for local information, entertainment and sports on two new channels called FiOS1.

FiOS1 Long Island and FiOS1 New Jersey will bring viewers compelling new options for hyper-local content that includes news, regular traffic and weather reports, and other programming. And the channels won’t be found on cable TV.

“FiOS1 Long Island and FiOS1 New Jersey are all about the communities. These FiOS1 channels will redefine the delivery of truly local information about people, news and what’s going on in those areas,” said Michael Ritter, chief marketing officer for Verizon Telecom. “With industry-leading partners and a cutting-edge and energized team of mobile journalists, or Mo-Jos, we plan to bring FiOS TV subscribers the type of programming that matters most — targeted, timely and tailored for local communities.”

FiOS1 — Great Local Programming and More, From Verizon

With partners including the North Shore - LIJ Health System and other producers on Long Island, and The Star Ledger/NJ.com, NJN Public Television, Emmy Award-winning TV host and Star-Ledger columnist Steve Adubato and others in New Jersey, FiOS1 will bring viewers a vast array of programming tied directly to the communities where it is offered. The Regional News Network (RNN) is providing news and production functions.

FiOS1 on Long Island will offer “My Long Island,” a program focused on people sharing their living and working experiences on the island. A magazine show called “Push-Pause” will feature fully produced, in-depth stories about local activities, events and people.

Sports will also play a major role. Both FiOS1 Long Island and FiOS1 New Jersey will feature high school games of the week. In addition to airing some of the best high school football, basketball and lacrosse games in the region, the channels plan to air other sports including fencing, bowling and wrestling. FiOS1 New Jersey will also carry several Rutgers University sports including at least three women’s basketball games.

The Star-Ledger will co-produce televised high school sporting events with FiOS1 New Jersey. This combined programming will highlight some of the best high school athletic events in the state, including a game of the week and various conference and state championship games.

“The Star-Ledger and NJ.com have had a long-standing commitment to provide the most robust coverage of high school sports in New Jersey,” said George Arwady, publisher of The Star-Ledger. “This arrangement with Verizon FiOS1 will dramatically increase the televised and Web presentation of New Jersey high school sports. This is good for students and their families, as well as the schools and the state interscholastic athletic association.”

Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon, said: “We want to be the source for information, sports and innovative programming. Our goal is to be the channel of choice for Long Island and northern New Jersey FiOS TV subscribers. We’re looking to bring them the news, events and issues that matter most in their city or town.”

A video preview of Verizon’s FiOS1 channels on Long Island and in North Jersey can be found at http://verizon.mediaseed.tv/Story.aspx?story=36772.

Viewers must subscribe to Verizon FiOS TV in order to see FiOS1. It’s now available to FiOS customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island and in parts of 240 communities in nine northern New Jersey counties: Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Morris, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset, Passaic and Union.

New Bundles, Internet Speeds and Special Offers

As Verizon launches FiOS1 channels on Long Island and in North Jersey, it’s also bringing consumers nationally a new round of FiOS TV enhancements and incentives.

Verizon is doubling-to-quadrupling the upstream connection speeds of its most popular FiOS Internet offerings. The company has raised the speed of its entry-level FiOS Internet service from 10/2 Megabits per second (Mbps) to 15/5 Mbps and has raised the speed of its flagship, mid-tier offering from 20/5 Mbps to 25/15 Mbps. In New York City, on Long Island and in other New York City suburbs, FiOS Internet is even faster with a new entry-level speed of 25/15 Mbps, and a new mid-tier offering of 35/20 Mbps, available only in bundles.

Additionally, the company is offering consumers a new set of “good, better and best” bundles that include more choices, the faster Internet speeds and exciting new incentives, including Compaq Mini netbooks or Flip Ultra camcorders. More information can be found at www.verizon.com/fios.

Verizon’s FiOS TV service was selected as the top-ranked residential television service provider in the Northeast region by J.D. Power for 2008. FiOS TV is currently available to more than 9.2 million homes in 14 states: California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

Verizon’s fiber network delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high-definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen. In addition to FiOS TV, Verizon’s fiber network also delivers Internet download speeds of up to 50 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up to 20 Mbps, as well as high-quality voice service.*

* NOTE: Actual (throughput) speeds will vary.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving more than 86 million customers nationwide. Verizon’s Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network. Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 237,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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