A year after receiving its 501(c)(3) status, the 149th Street South Ozone Park Civic Association used a grant to reestablish its Youth Committee, which was disbanded a decade ago.
Aracelia Cook, president of the civic, told the Chronicle the committee, which received $3,500 from Citizens Committee for New York City earlier this year, is already doing great things.
“We had our first conference with the Youth Committee in Manhattan, Saturday,” Cook, wearing a blue hat, told the Chronicle.
Citizens Committee for New York City, an organization that provides micro grants, hosted the Dec. 20 event.
“They had the opportunity to work with youth from other boroughs, such as the Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn,” said Cook. “They will be able to collaborate with other organizations that have the same ideas as we have.”
The civic’s youth group displayed leadership skills as they told people at the conference problems they identified in Southeast Queens and presented solutions to tackle them, she said.
“Our whole thing is to help them realize they are the next leaders,” said Cook, “what government is all about, what it means to be involved and to serve the community.”
— Naeisha Rose