PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- State Senator Greg Ball joined city officials at a meeting of the Peekskill Agencies Together (P.A.T.) Coalition Thursday, a group that aims to reduce youth substance abuse in the City of Peekskill.
Over 30 organizations were represented at the roundtable, including Family Ties of Westchester County, the Department of Social Services, Peekskill Library, Child Protective Services, Hudson River Health Care and The Salvation Army.
This is our future, and it is vital that programs like this stay in place to keeps kids out of trouble and in school, Ball said. I applaud all the organizations that are involved in P.A.T., that collectively do their part, to create a safe and prosperous environment for our young people.
The P.A.T. Coalition works to keep youth away from alcohol and other drugs by reducing access alcohol and other drugs, ensuring that youth and parents alike are provided with sufficient information, affirming and recognizing the youth that participate in positive activities and strengthening community bonds and increasing community collaboration.
The reason this coalition is so successful is because all these different groups wear many different hats, said Peekskill Mayor Mary Foster.
Foster has been an active member of the coalition and is determined to keep the program thriving and helping youth throughout the city.
The coalition is currently looking for more funding from the state and federal government to support their programs and to keep the local youth out of trouble and in school.
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