(MINEOLA, N.Y.) – Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé (D – Freeport) and her colleagues in the Legislature’s Minority Caucus voted today to allocate $950,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds toward the Nassau County Police Athletic League (NCPAL) in support of their countywide youth enrichment programming and services.
The mission of NCPAL, which currently operates more than three dozen local clubs including its divisions in Baldwin and Roosevelt, is to “operate youth clubs and provide sports, crafts, educational and other programs of a team and individual nature for all boys and girls in Nassau County” with the intent of steering children clear from gang activity and fostering positive interactions between police officers and youth.
The funding was drawn from $15 million in federally allocated ARPA money that was set aside by the Legislature for various not-for-profit organizations and special districts that deliver ARPA-approved services. The creation of this fund was an outgrowth of extensive Minority Caucus to allocate ARPA resources for the intended purposes of bolstering programs that addressed critical needs arising from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Not only does the Nassau County PAL do so much to keep our kids safe through its supervised and structured programs, it provides access to outstanding programs that broaden horizons and unlock new interests in our youth,” Legislator Mulé said. “I am glad to see that our Legislature has come together to support such a worthwhile initiative, and I will continue to keep a keen eye on opportunities to fairly and evenly apply ARPA funds toward similarly worthwhile projects across all 19 of our legislative districts.”