September 18th, 2023
$2 million in American Rescue Plan Act Funds awarded to YMCA of Greater Rochester to fund, in part, meals for teens and staffing at new Maplewood Teen Center
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Monroe County Executive Adam Bello today joined county legislators and the YMCA of Greater Rochester to officially celebrate the opening of the new Youth Center on the second floor as part of YMCA’s Maplewood Neighborhood Center at the Maplewood Family YMCA. The YMCA of Greater Rochester was awarded $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funds for this project, and others, secured by Congressman Joe Morelle and Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.
The funds, allotted by Monroe County, provides free meals and after-school programs for teens 12-18 at the YMCA’s Neighborhood Centers at the Maplewood and Lewis Street YMCA locations.
“For decades, the YMCA has created safe spaces for youth to play, socialize and stay physically active. This ARPA investment will expand those offerings to underserved teenagers by providing free meals and giving them a healthy and safe after-school facility,” said County Executive Bello. “Thank you YMCA and all their partners for providing this service to our teens. Thank you to the Monroe County Legislature for approving this grant and Senator Gillibrand, Senator Schumer and Congressman Morelle for securing the American Rescue Plan Act funds to make this happen.”
“Our community is blessed to have our local YMCA’s committed to giving our teens a safe space to work towards a brighter future,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I’m proud to have delivered the funding to make this expansion possible and I’m grateful to County Executive Bello for his leadership. I look forward to our continued work together ensuring everyone in our community can have the resources they need to thrive.”
US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “YMCAs serve as anchors of our communities, allowing children, teens, and older adults a safe place to gather for an array of services and programming. The Maplewood Family YMCA is important to many and with this investment from Monroe County, Rochester teens will have a center dedicated to their needs. The new center will provide free meals and after-school programming, fulfilling an important need for Rochester youths’ recreation and well-being. I’m proud to have secured this funding through the American Rescue Plan, and will fight to ensure all New York children and families have healthy, thriving communities.”
US Senator Charles Schumer said, “Supporting our youth means ensuring that they have resources to set themselves up for success, and the YMCA of Greater Rochester has always gone above and beyond to provide these services. I applaud County Executive Bello for prioritizing the needs of teens in the City of Rochester and I’m proud that the funds I secured in the American Rescue Plan will go towards making sure these kids have a space of their own that will promote a healthy and strong community.”
“I’ve spent my whole life working for our youth and making sure they have a brighter future. This ARPA funding for free after-school programming for teens is critical and can help so many of our young people. The new Youth Center at the Maplewood Y is a welcome addition to our neighborhood. Coupled with the added programming at the Lewis Street YMCA Neighborhood Center, this funding can truly benefit our community,” said Monroe County Legislator William Burgess.
A YMCA membership is not required for qualifying teens to access the center or participate in after-school activities on weekdays. Participants will have access to the swimming pools, basketball court, homework support and fitness classes such as boxing and yoga.
ARPA funds will also support YMCA fitness and meal programs for older adults and health and wellness services like telemedicine and education across the three Neighborhood Center locations, which also includes the Thurston Road YMCA Neighborhood Center in the 19th Ward.
“The YMCA of Greater Rochester has a history of working with our community to serve its most pressing needs. Right now that is our youth and teens, and it crucial we provide them with a safe space where they can be encouraged, supported and given the opportunities to succeed,” said Ernie Lamour, President & CEO of YMCA of Greater Rochester. “I am proof of that and am where I am today because of the YMCA. We are grateful for County Executive Bello and county legislators for their support in helping us provide that type of environment for teens in our community.”
The teen center at the Maplewood YMCA is open from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. weekdays. Similar youth programing at the Lewis Street YMCA Neighborhood Center is available from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. weekdays. To register a child for this after-school program, go to RochesterYMCA.org.
