Lower Hudson Journal

Pre-New Year event to raise funds for Nyack youth mentoring program

By Suzan Clarke
The Journal News
(Original Publication: December 27, 2006)

NYACK -A fundraiser to benefit a local nonprofit organization will provide attendees with more than just good entertainment for the holidays, organizers say.

Dubbed Eve-of-the-Eve Café, the Saturday fundraiser at the Nyack Center will benefit Adults Caring for Teens, a nonprofit program founded in 2005 by Penny Jennings.

The program provides free adult mentoring to 13- to 21-year-olds, particularly those who have been in jail or had run-ins with the law or who are considered to be at risk.

The funds are being sought to match a $10,000 gang-prevention grant from the Rockland County Youth Bureau, Jennings said yesterday.

While she didn't expect to raise the full matching figure on Saturday, she said every bit would help.

The funds are earmarked for ACT's gang prevention program, which comprises workshops on, among other things, career preparation, social skills and safe haven rap sessions, she said.

A.C.T., which operates out of the Nyack Center, also offers one-on-one mentoring and currently has 12 pairs of youths and adults in mentoring relationships.

More youths want to become part of the program, she said.

"We have an overwhelming waiting list right now, but because of the funding, it's kind of limited how many we can take on," she said. "We just get so many referrals from so many organizations. There's no deficit in children."

One area of growth has been in North Rockland, she said.

"We're right now trying to find out if we can get some space in Haverstraw for two days a week," she added. "The need there is overwhelming for the gang prevention."

Administration and mentoring are on an all-volunteer basis because funds are extremely limited, she said. Nevertheless, ACT's board and volunteers are persevering, she added.

"None of us are getting any pay," Jennings said. "We're passionate about it, and we figure, build it and they will come."

By supporting the event, patrons will get good entertainment while helping to sustain a meaningful program, A.C.T. board member Ron Figueroa said Thursday.

Rather than focusing too much on the materialism that can be manifested over the holidays, participation in the event will allow people to think about "being a part of an experience that makes you feel good inside," Figueroa said.

Jennings said the evening would feature variety show-style entertainment - including music, drumming, poetry and dancing - suited to families.

"We just would hope people would come out and support it because anything we earn, anything we raise in this event, is definitely going to benefit us as a community," she said. "Every penny earned is going to be invested in our children; that is our lifeline and that's what it's all about."

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