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Velázquez Announces Wave of Funding for Local Head Start Programs

February 7, 2018

Velázquez Announces Wave of Funding for Local Head Start Programs

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) announced that multiple local early education centers within New York's 7th Congressional district have received federal grants to bolster their Head Start programs. Around the country, Head Start centers support low-income children and their families by providing comprehensive early childhood education, health and nutrition services.

"No parent should lose sleep worrying that their child will miss out on a safe and nurturing early childhood education," said Velázquez. "I am proud that each of these educational centers is receiving funding to continue their life-changing mission of serving our City's working families."

  • A grant has been awarded to United Academy in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The Academy will receive $1,187,462 in federal funding. The funding will ensure the organization can continue making important health and educational programs available to Williamsburg's children.
  • Also located in Williamsburg, Yeshiva Kehilath Yakove is a Jewish learning center and will be receiving two grants of $1,389,643 and $1,169,551 to continue to fund their Head Start program.
  • Educational Alliance located on the Lower East Side will be receiving $2,305,544 for their Head Start program. A progressive early learning center, Educational Alliance actively works to meet the needs of working families.
  • The Catholic Charities Neighborhood Service has been awarded $2,660,211 to continue to provide high-quality educational services to local children in Brooklyn. Harnessing the Montessori holistic approach to early learning, their program features hands-on age appropriate opportunities for children from birth to age seven. The center also provides Montessori training to their early childhood staff.

"Time and again, studies have shown the tremendous impact that a high-quality early education has in terms of success later in life," said Velázquez. "The work of Head Start is instrumental in shaping the next generation of leaders. In a climate of threatened budget cuts, I will remain a steadfast champion of the Head Start program."