| Contents |
October 21, 2006 |
|
Among the amenities that come with living on Roosevelt Island are such groups as the Youth Center and the newly revitalized Island Kids program. The Island also includes a group of critics who don’t seem to let the facts interfere with their opinions.
In the last issue of The WIRE, a letter writer expressed great dismay that while the RIOC Board has approved a $75,000 grant to Island Kids, the Youth Center has not been funded.
Where to start?
As far as Island Kids, I believe the RIOC Board acted responsibly to support the revitalization of a program that enhances the sense of community on the Island, bringing together youngsters from pre-school ages to teenage years for productive activities. The grant specifically will allow Island Kids to increase staffing and programs, and expand a scholarship program that makes its activities accessible to families without regard to financial means. There should be – and will be – no apology for supporting Island Kids.
As far as the Youth Center, the RIOC Board has been proud to have supported the capital and programmatic needs of the Center. The board has approved more than $500,000 in grants for the Youth Center over the last ten years, $60,000 or more a year including last year.
The Board considers that an investment in the quality of life on the Island, and an investment well-made. And had the letter-writer bothered to check, he might have learned that the RIOC board is prepared to continue to support the Youth Center. The facts are that, in the spring of 2006, Youth Center leader Steve Kaufman met with RIOC to seek an increase to $100,000 in the level of Board support. While it is the Board that makes any final decision about grants, the staff assured Mr. Kaufman it would support the request for increased funding.
The staff is anxiously awaiting receipt of a written request for funding from the Youth Center to the Operations./Public Funds committee, chaired by Mark Ponton, and is prepared to immediately forward that request along.
In other news, residents can’t help but notice the many banners and signs around the Island announcing the Fall for Arts Festival today (Saturday, October 21). RIOC is sponsoring this full-day event with the cooperation of many Island organizations. We hope you will join us in celebrating the talents of more than 30 Island artists under "the big tent" on the Community Center Plaza; the Arts of the Senior Center; Color My World, a major exhibition of the artistic talents of residents of Coler-Goldwater; Kidstage – music, poetry, puppetry, clowning, storytelling; Roosevelt Island’s Got Talent – showcasing the varied talents of residents; tours by the Historical Society and the Garden Club; Sumi-e workshops, pastel classes; swing dance instruction and open dancing; Roosevelt Island School’s Mad Hot Ballroom Dancers; piano and vocal recitals; Dance Visions of Isadora Duncan; chalk art; Materials for the Arts "Make and Take" hands-on art crafts using recycled materials, and so much more.
It will be a wonderful event, rain or shine, and we encourage all residents to come out and help celebrate Roosevelt Island – the Island of the Arts at the first annual Fall for Arts Festival.
Finally, a housekeeping note. The RIOC offices at 591 Main Street are undergoing a long-needed renovation. In the interim, the staff has been relocated to the second floor in the old Blackwell School at 504 Main Street. That is where you will find us.