$15,500 Will Help Strengthen Work and Missions for Nonprofits Across Three Counties
WATERTOWN — Eight nonprofit organizations serving youth in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties will share grant funding totaling more than $15,000 to support their work.
The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors approved $15,500 in funding during its December board meeting to support local programs that serve children and youth.
“The Community Foundation has been blessed with donors, past and present, for whom children and youth have been at the heart of their giving,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “This allows us to provide important help such as this to local organizations and make a real difference in the lives of those they serve.”
The following tri-county organizations will receive grant funding to broadly support their missions:
Jefferson County
- Watertown Family YMCA, $2,500 — For close to 50 years, the YMCA has served the greater Watertown community through programs that strengthen families. The YMCA also offers scholarship support to children and families with financial need who wish to participate in programs. This helps accomplish their vision statement of being an organization that is family-centered and accessible to all.
- SoZo Teen Center, $2,500 — As a component of the Children’s Home of Jefferson County, the SoZo Teen Center provides a year-round safe space and programming for youth in grades seven through 12. The teen center has operated for 13 years and helps to empower local teens, guiding them toward a future of productivity and good citizenship. More than 350 local youth are registered at the drop-in center, which offers a range of activities to promote health and wellness, career readiness, civic engagement and more.
- Hearts for Youth, $1,000 — This organization focuses on local youth in Alexandria Bay and neighboring St. Lawrence River communities from infants to age 21. Based at the Macsherry Library, the organization offers several activities and programs to keep participants engaged, learning and entertained. For many families, Hearts for Youth is a perfect organization for kids from rural communities to gain additional experiences beyond the classroom.
- Carthage YMCA, $1,000 — A branch of the Watertown Family YMCA, it operates with the same mission and purpose. Given the hyperlocal needs of residents in the greater Carthage community, the YMCA is an
important venue for health and wellness activity and social engagement for children and families.
Lewis County
- Double Play Community Center, $2,500 — Double Play provides programming to residents of all ages and focus on accessibility for those who wish to participate. Its community center operates with a childcare service, features youth sports and enrichment programs, after-school programs and summer recreation opportunities.
An estimated 5 percent of Lewis County residents participate in quality-of-life programs at Double Play, and it
is one of the region’s most important regional assets. - Youth of Lewis County, $1,000 — This upstart nonprofit was established in 2024 to help youth ages 14 to 21 who face challenges related to disabilities, mental health, substance use, juvenile justice and more. The grassroots organization is motivated to provide a youth peer advocate model to help address service gaps in Lewis County. The first round of activities began this fall at Maple Ridge Center, and the organization is working to build
charitable resources to further assist this population.
St. Lawrence County
- Ogdensburg Boys & Girls Club, $2,500 — The club is celebrating 60 years serving the greater Ogdensburg community. It is recognized for its youth programming and accessibility, allowing children between ages 6 and 19 to participate. On a typical afternoon during the school year, more than 100 youth visit the club to play sports, join in targeted programs, engage in STEM-related activities, or just visit with friends. A common thread
through the club’s programs is teaching character and leadership. This is one of the strongest youth and family development organizations in St. Lawrence County. - Police Activities League of Massena, $2,500 — The league’s establishment created an opportunity for youth in Massena and surrounding communities to participate in structured programming and activities. Initially chartered under the Boys & Girls Club model, it pivoted to its present operation to support at-risk and unsupervised youth. More than 100 children attend after-school programs and approximately 83 percent of attendees come from low-income households. Funding will help the organization strengthen programming and maintain its focus of providing meaningful and lasting opportunities for local youth.
About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.