All right, good afternoon, everybody, and welcome to City Hall.

Um, and welcome to our first ever Thrive Nonprofit Grant Program Award Ceremony.

Um first, I would like to introduce our mayor, Idiro Ramos Herbert to bring greetings.

It's really great to be in this room for such a really innovative, thoughtful, and creative approach to making sure that the organizations and groups that are boots on the ground doing so much of the good work are receiving support from the city.

So I really want to thank the city manager and his team for their work in creating the application.

Doing something for the first time is hard.

And so creating an application, messaging around it, reviewing it, making decisions.

You know, I don't envy what they had to do, um, but I know that our community is gonna be the better for it.

I want to quickly acknowledge two of my council colleagues who are here, Sarah Kay representing District Five, and Shane Oshinoye representing District Four.

And quickly scanning, because this is the job where like you forget, and then people get offended.

Hold on.

I don't think there's any others.

Louisa Choa representing State Senator Shelley Mayer.

And so I think again, it's just reflective of the city doing what it can to support the people doing the work.

I know that my council colleagues, this was a priority for us trying to figure out ways that that we can see what's new, what's out there, learn, and best support it, and but it takes a talented and committed staff to actually bring ideas across the finish line, and luckily near shot, I think you have a little bit of both.

So I'm looking forward to learning more about the different projects, and again, many thanks to everybody for coming out today.

Thank you, Mayor.

It is now my pleasure to introduce the city manager, Wilfredo Melendez.

Thanks, Todd.

Thanks, Mayor.

Uh, good afternoon.

Um, on behalf of the city, I want to warmly welcome everybody to our to today's Thrive Check Award ceremony.

I would really want to thank uh our city staff, uh Rita for putting this all together and Todd working together as a team and making this happen.

Um, it's a truly a privilege to gather with such inspiring organizations and community leaders who are making a real difference in our lives in Rochelle.

We are very fortunate as a city to have the opportunity to support programs that uplift and strengthen our community.

I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the city council, their vision and commitment, and for giving us the chance to recognize and fund these outstanding organizations through the Thrive program.

You know, last year when we were going through the budget process, you know, we recognize that there's a value to non-for-profits.

They're almost like an extension of our arm.

They're like what we can't do, right?

As we can't do everything as a city and a staff, and we see them as um really filling the gaps and really providing a really um you know services that we need here in the city.

Um, they support the uh certain populations in the city.

Um they enhance also really what I strongly believe in and what we've trying to really promote is our quality of life for all our residents.

Um so today we celebrate the creativity, the dedication, the impact of these organizations.

Each of you embodies the spirit of Thrive, and it is our pleasure and honor to work with you.

At this time, we are proud to present these checks to each of our award recipients in recognition of the incredible contributions you make to our community.

So, congratulations now to all of you and thank you for your commitment to making our city stronger and more vibrant for everybody.

Thank you.

So it's a newer shell campership fund and songcatchers incorporated.

The Broadway Arts Experience.

So this program, led by the Neurochell Campership Fund in partnership with Songcatchers, will provide 40 to 50 campers with a fully funded educational trip to the 2026 Songcatches Summer Music Program in New York City.

Funding will cover transportation, broadway tickets, meals, pre- and post-show learning activities.

Campers will explore the show's themes, connect them to their own experiences, and participate in creative projects and reflections, culminating in a small presentation to this to share their learning.

And I cannot wait to see the faces of these campers after going to their first Broadway show, hopefully, in New York City.

So congratulations.

Tutti Bravi will use Thrive funding to support two major 2026 projects.

The first project will present three original historic productions, uh commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, exploring life in Westchester's neutral ground and honoring the men and women who preserved who persevered during that time.

The second project will resurrect the historic Neurchell Jazz Festival, featuring four local jazz groups and reviving a long-standing cultural exchange with Neurochelle's sister city, La Rochelle, France.

Funding will cover production costs and help bring these educational and cultural experiences to multiple community venues throughout the city.

Congratulations.

Our next recipient, the Thomas Paine Historical Association.

Touch screen digital displays.

Thomas Payne Historical Association will use Thrive funding to make their exhibits more interactive and accessible to students, scholars, and tourists.

The project will add eight touch screen displays with multilingual functionality, allowing visitors, especially younger audiences to explore the exhibits and engaging and dynamic ways.

Funding will cover the displays, mounting equipment, electrical installations, and the creation of video content enhancing the educational and cultural experience for the entire community.

Congratulations.

Our next recipient, Trifecta Steppers and Company Incorporated.

Uniforms, sneakers, and equipment.

Trifector Steppers serves approximately 20 boys and girls from Neurochell, primarily middle and high school students.

This program prioritizes those with limited access to extracurricular arts programming due to financial and transportation barriers.

Participants engage in after-school STEP practices three times a week, year-round, with additional sessions on Saturdays and extra rehearsals leading up to regional and national competitions.

Funding will support uniforms, sneakers, props, practice equipment, and choreography materials, providing a safe, structured environment where youth can develop skills, express themselves, express themselves, and connect with positive peers and mentors.

Congratulations.

You're welcome.

Thank you, Todd.

Um, this award falls under the Economic Empower and Workforce Development.

Uh this next award goes to the Hudson Park Children's Greenhouse for their Cornell Cooperative Extension classes and greenhouse learning projects.

Um, this funding is going to expand hands-on science and environmental learning opportunities for children and family.

The project will support five Cornell Cooperative Science classes along with interactive greenhouse experience designed to engage school groups and visitors of all abilities.

Funding will help create a memorable hands-on moment that fosters STEM learning, uh environmental stewardship, and a deeper curiosity about the natural world.

Congratulations.

This goes to Songcatchers and the Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle.

Um, it's congratulations.

This is a music connects program.

It's building community through accessible music education.

Um, they will use the funding to provide structured music lessons to youth from the Boys and Girls Club to the at the Songcatchers facility.

The program will offer weekly individual and small group lessons for up to 35 participants throughout the year, ensuring equitable access by covering lessons and providing instruments and materials as needed.

Um, students will also have the opportunity to showcase their progress throughout the two recitals while growth is supported through ongoing instruction and evaluation.

The goal is to support direct costs and expand access to high-quality music education participant and personal and creative development.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Thank you.

No worries.

This next one also follows under Education and Youth Services.

This is to the STEM Alliance of Larch Mount Marinek.

It is a summer camp program, and the funding is going to be supported to enrich partnership with the Shiloh Baptist Church, bringing back high-quality STEM enrichment program to its three-week summer camp.

The program will serve up to 30 new shell residents, children in grades one through five, delivering 30 hours of hands-on STEM learning through daily sessions.

It will support program delivery, ensure immediate implementation, expanding access and engaging STEM education, and enriching summer learning programs for local youth.

Congratulations, guys.

This next one also follows under Education and Youth Services, and this is to the National Scholastic Chess Foundation.

This program is going to expand its after-school chess program to fifth graders across all six NeuroShell elementary schools in partnership with the NeuroShell Fund for Excellence for Education Excellence.

It's a 28-week program that would serve approximately 140 students, helping develop critical thinking, problem solving, academic skills through structured instruction.

Funding will support equitable access through reduced fees, scholarships, building on its strong demand for program, and expanding opportunities for student participation.

Congratulations, guys.

Thank you so much.

Okay.

Our next recipient is the NeuroShell Public Library Foundation, and this will be for the Vacation Week Enrichment Program.

The NeuroShell Public Library Foundation, in partnership with the NeuroShell Public Library, will use Thrive funding to provide free enrichment programming for children and families during the August and December 2026 school vacation periods.

All programs will be free, open to the public, and designed to serve families of diverse linguistic, cultural, and economic backgrounds, featuring live performances, educational presenters, interactive arts, and cultural experiences, and hands-on workshops for children and caregivers, with potential expansion into weekend offerings.

Funding will support this high-demand initiative expected to serve more than 2,500 children and caregivers, expanding access to educational and cultural opportunities while strengthening community engagement during school breaks.

Congratulations.

Okay, our next recipient is the Energy Justice Law and Policy Center for the Food and Environment and NeuroShell program.

This project will use Thrive funding to host a series of eight community meals in 2026 that bring together youth and families to explore the connection between food, health, and the environment in NeuroShell.

Building on feeding the sounds existing meal program, each gathering will pair shared meals with informal, youth-focused discussions on topics such as nutrition, food waste, air quality, and community garden, along with additional events connecting participants to local environmental programs.

Funding will support these engaging community-based experiences that promote education, environmental awareness, and stronger connections among families across the city.

Congratulations.

The Symphony of Westchester will use Thrive funding to create an educational mentoring experience for 35 Nurshell High School students, orchestra students.

The program will include rehearsals with professional musicians and a combined rehearsal and performance where students sit alongside Symphony members, gaining hands-on experience and mentorship.

Funding will also support complimentary tickets for local families, expanding community access to live orchestral music while fostering the next generation of young musicians.

Congratulations.

This program provides immediate walk-in access to mental health and substance use support for Nourishel residents of all ages without appointments, referrals, or insurance requirements.

Services include crisis intervention, assessment and initiation of ongoing care, substance use support, nursing assessments, and referrals for health-related social needs.

Funding will allow the center to serve an estimated 150 to 200 individuals, providing same-day service to the vast majority, linking many to ongoing care and completing social needs screenings.

With Thrive Support, the program will continue delivery, delivering timely, compassionate care, helping residents in crisis, and strengthening the health of the community.

Congratulations.

So this concludes our formal programming for today.

Please, everyone have a great day.

Take care.

Absolutely, bring your checks.

Congratulations.