Con Edison Funds “Kids Going Green” Program

Jan. 9, 2012 - PRLog -- In its second year of funding, Con Edison has awarded a $7,500 grant to Grace Church Community Center (GCCC) to continue its successful “Kids Going Green” program which introduces homeless and at-risk youth to “green” topics such as global warming, dependence on fossil fuels, sustainable farming, water quality, endangered species and habitat preservation through a series of field trips.

Seventy-five children from the agency’s After-School Mentoring Program will participate in five field trips which will include a sleepover at the New York Hall of Science and a voyage on the Clearwater Schooner, a sailing classroom designed to teach passengers about the impact humans have had on the animals and ecology of the Hudson River.

“Protecting our environment is essential,” said Eileen Torres, Director of Youth Services for GCCC.  “Kids need to learn how to be ecologically responsible at as young an age as possible.  That’s why we think this partnership with Con Edison is so important.”

She added that another goal of the program is introduce students to careers in science, ecology and green technology.

Paul Anderson-Winchell, GCCC’s Executive Director  said, “field trips provide a unique opportunity for young people to explore their world and gain firsthand experience about the principles and concepts they learn in the classroom.  For the kids participating in “Kids Going Green” the outings are especially valuable because these children have very little access to enrichment activities outside of school.”  

The GCCC After-School Mentoring Program operates in five locations in White Plains and Yonkers every Monday to Thursday.  The program encourages at-risk children to stay in school, improve their grades and go on to achieve a post secondary education.  High school students receive SAT tutoring, are taken on college tours and are eligible to receive small college scholarships through a Scholarship Fund.   A generous donor provides a $25,000 matching grant to help raise money for the Scholarship Fund.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Scholarship Fund or to find out more about GCCC’s Mentoring Program should contact Chris Schwartz at 914-949-3098 ext. 135 or CSchwartz@gcccares.org.

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Grace Church Community Center, Inc. (GCCC) is a non-sectarian, community-based 501 (c ) (3) organization that assists Westchester County’s neediest and most at-risk residents, particularly those who are underserved by existing resources. It is one of the largest social services agencies in Westchester County NY and has been fulfilling its mission since 1979 through the operation of nine community-based programs. The agency serves 3,900 men, women and children each year, providing 90,000 meals to the hungry and 26,000 nights of shelter to the homeless. The agency strives to turn no one away.