VOA-GNY Receives Generous Grant from Niagara Bottling to Support Program for Children with Developmental Delays on Staten Island
New York, NY (February 10, 2016) – Volunteers of America has teamed again with Niagara Bottling, the largest private-label bottled water supplier in the United States, to enhance the lives of disadvantaged children and youth. The relationship began in 2015 with $300,000 in grants, and continues in 2016 with Niagara providing a $100,000 grant to Volunteers of America-Greater New York's Staten Island Early Learning Center.
"We are tremendously grateful to Niagara for its commitment to our mission of serving our community's most vulnerable," said Volunteers of America-Greater New York President and CEO Tere Pettitt. "With Niagara's support, we were able to upgrade our heating and air condition systems to ensure the dozens of children we serve – six days a week, 11 months a year – will be learning and thriving in the optimal environment."
Volunteers of America-Greater New York's Staten Island Early Learning Center is a model program providing comprehensive educational experiences for children with cognitive or language impairments, social and emotional difficulties or sensory and motor problems. It also serves children on the autism spectrum in classrooms utilizing the teaching techniques of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The school provides a
nurturing and stimulating environment that promotes growth and development, and enhances the children's natural discovery and exploration.
The new HVAC and boiler system, made possible by the Niagara grant, is 60 percent more efficient than the out-of-date equipment is replaces. The monthly maintenance cost for fuel in the winter months will be dramatically reduced, thereby allowing VOA-GNY to reinvest the savings in the Early Learning Center's programming.
"It's been an absolute pleasure to work with the Volunteers of America team in our first year of giving," said Niagara Cares Director Kristen Venick. "We are excited to jump into the second year supporting projects that support vulnerable children and families in our local plant communities, and are looking forward to another impactful year."
Nationally, Volunteers of America provides high-quality, innovative services for disadvantaged and disconnected children and youth. With a team of caring staff and dedicated volunteers, programs focus on the social, emotional and academic development of young children, and empower older youth to be physically, emotionally and mentally healthy as they enter adulthood. Programs provide a continuum of care and support for young people through prevention, early intervention, crisis intervention and long-term services.
Niagara Cares, a program of Niagara Bottling, is committed to supporting local and national community initiatives by engaging stakeholders and investing resources to benefit disadvantaged children and their families. Niagara Cares initiatives include national strategic partnerships, local community grants, employee engagement and volunteerism, and the Andrew D. Peykoff, Sr. Scholarship Program. For more information, visit www.niagarawater.com/niagara-cares.
About Volunteers of America-Greater New York
Volunteers of America has been at the forefront of social service for nearly 120 years, helping individuals and families in need overcome obstacles to living safe, healthy and productive lives. Across the country, 2 million people in 400 communities in 46 states feel the impact of Volunteers of America's work every year. Locally, tens of thousands of men, women and children in need benefit from Volunteers of America's life-changing, often lifesaving work including the homeless, families affected by domestic violence, children with special needs, adults living with HIV/AIDS, behavioral health or substance use issues, at-risk youth and the frail elderly. www.voa-gny.org
About Niagara Bottling, LLC
Niagara Bottling, LLC has been family owned and operated since 1963. Niagara is headquartered in Ontario, CA, with 20 bottling plants located across 14 states. As the leading manufacturer of private label bottled water in the country, we work closely with the largest retailers, grocers, club and convenience stores throughout the country. Niagara produces a variety of beverages including water, tea, sports drinks, vitamin waters and sparkling beverages. For more information, visit www.niagarawater.com.
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