New York City Youth Tell City Council To Restore Funding for Youth Programs
Tuesday, May 9, 2006

Mayor's Executive Budget Includes $40m Cut to Youth Programs

For Immediate Release:

May 9, 2006

Contact: Erin Davis, Children’s Defense Fund — New York (212) 697-2323 x 107

Young people from throughout New York City will testify before the New York City Council on Tuesday, May 9th from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. about the impact of the proposed cuts to summer jobs, beacon schools, and cultural and after-school programs for youth in the Mayor’s recently released Executive Budget. The Youth Hearing and Speak Out is sponsored by Youth in the Movement to Leave No Child Behind, a project of the Children’s Defense Fund — New York; Neighborhood Family Services Coalition; United Neighborhood Houses; and Council Members Gale A. Brewer and Lew Fidler.

The Council Members are set to negotiate the budget with the Mayor and want to hear from young people as they establish spending priorities for fiscal year 2007. The hearing will be conducted in the City Council Chamber in City Hall.

This is the third year the Council has provided such a forum for youth to voice their issues and concerns.

“Young people of this city have something to say and it’s important that those of us in government take some time out and make sure we hear it,” said Fidler. “It is a rare opportunity for the Council to hear directly from youth, in their own words, about their current struggles, their hopes for the future and how our decisions impact their lives,” explained Brewer. "I have always been a strong supporter of empowering the youth and allowing them to have a voice on key issues; these hearings are a good first step towards engaging youth with their local government.”

The Mayor’s Executive Budget, released on May 4th, includes $52.7 billion in spending for the upcoming fiscal year, beginning on July 1st. Unfortunately, the budget does not include $40 million in youth funding that was in last year’s budget for such programs as summer jobs, Beacon Schools, Cultural After School Adventures, shelter beds, street outreach and more.

According to Donna A. Lawrence, Executive Director of the Children’s Defense Fund — New York, “At a time when the city’s child poverty rate continues to increase, we can’t afford to turn our backs on the children of New York City.

“The goal of the hearing is to urge New York City’s elected leadership to invest resources in proven programs that help young people on the road to bright and productive futures. The Council should leverage its influence to make children and youth a priority during the next few weeks as the final budget decisions are made,” said Lawrence. “The personal stories of our youth are the most compelling arguments we have to encourage our leaders to safeguard New York’s children and families.”