Four of our donors have offered us a wonderful opportunity to raise funds for the programs in our Village of Hempstead Initiative. They have created a Challenge Fund of $20,000 and will match dollar for dollar every contribution we receive to support these programs up to that amount.

We have a wonderful group of staff and volunteers who offer an array of services to children and families in the Village. Why Hempstead? Because more young people here are at risk for gang involvement and youth violence. The high school graduation rate and college acceptance rate are some of the lowest on Long Island.

For the past 10 years, we have provided a continuum of care that gets results! Your donation will go directly into these programs:

• A nursery school cooperative that involves mothers in skills training programs.
  
• A lending library that promotes the importance of reading from day one and encourages parents to read to their children each and every day.
  
• A day care and dual-language Universal Pre-Kindergarten class for financially challenged families.
  
• An afterschool program that helps primary school children get their homework done and offers them a safe place to go after school. As you can imagine, it is a very valuable service to their working parents.
  
• A middle school enrichment program that motivates tweens and teens to succeed in high school and go on to college, which will absolutely transform their lives!

Most of the financial support for these programs comes from you, our generous donors. Now, thanks to our great friends who created this challenge opportunity, you can make each dollar you give go twice as far. Just click on our donate page to help strengthen a young person's life.

Thank you so much for making our mission possible and being part of our Community of Caring.

P.S. In 2009, we are celebrating our 125th Anniversary of service to Long Islanders in need. Won’t you help us continue our mission with a $125.00 donation in honor of our anniversary?