(MINEOLA, N.Y.) – Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages (D - Valley Stream) and his 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 Elmont and Valley Stream, 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 toward the camaraderie of healthy, organized activities 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 advocacy 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 PAL do tremendous work to enrich the lives of our youngsters, their programs help to strengthen bonds between law enforcement professionals and the communities they are entrusted with serving and protecting,” Legislator Solages said. “This is a worthwhile investment in the future of our entire County, and it is important that we seek out additional opportunities to invest ARPA funds in initiatives that uplift our entire County equitably.”